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Two months after LNER introduced its most significant timetable uplift in years, the business travel sector is already seeing the benefits. For our customers and for the wider corporate travel community, the changes are reshaping how organisations plan, book and optimise long distance travel across the UK. With more services, faster journeys and greater capacity, the new timetable is helping businesses unlock productivity and support sustainability goals.
More frequency
One of the most impactful changes has been the increase in services between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and London King’s Cross. The route now operates three trains per hour, up from two, giving business travellers far more flexibility when planning meetings, events or same‑day returns.
In total, the timetable introduced 37 additional LNER services every weekday with further increases at weekends. That equates to around 16,000 extra seats per day, or roughly six million more seats per year. A major capacity boost on one of the UK’s most important travel networks.
Faster journeys
The timetable also delivered faster journey times between Edinburgh and London, with travel now taking close to just four hours. For business travellers, this shift is transformative.
A four hour rail journey offers a productive, uninterrupted working environment, no airport transfers or security queues and a smoother, more predictable end‑to‑end experience
For organisations looking to reduce reliance on domestic flights, the improved timings make rail a compelling option.
Supporting corporate sustainability goals
Sustainability continues to be a major priority for businesses and the new timetable supports that transition. With more frequent services and faster journeys, it’s easier for organisations to encourage a shift from air to rail without compromising productivity.
The timetable changes make sustainable choices more practical and more appealing for business travellers.
Economic benefits that strengthen the travel ecosystem
Independent research suggests that the December 2025 uplift will generate at least £108 million in additional economic value each year, on top of the £3.11 billion LNER already contributes annually. The rail industry itself is expected to benefit from an additional £60 million per year, enabling further investment in reliability, capacity and customer experience.
Better connectivity for key business regions
The December uplift builds on earlier enhancements introduced in May 2025, particularly for Bradford Forster Square during its year as UK City of Culture. LNER increased weekday and Saturday services from two to seven, with Sunday services doubling.
For businesses based in Yorkshire and the North, this means better access to London for meetings and events, more options for regional business travel and improved connectivity for sectors with strong ties to the capital.
These improvements ensure that business travel is not just London-centric but supports economic activity across the UK.
A timetable designed around modern business needs
What makes this timetable particularly significant is how closely it aligns with the realities of modern corporate travel. Today’s business travellers need:
- Frequency to support flexible schedules
- Speed to maximise productivity
- Reliability to reduce travel‑related risk
- Sustainability to meet organisational commitments
The new LNER timetable delivers on all four, making rail a more competitive and attractive option for long‑distance business travel.
