AIDA Development designed these "seats" to increase capacity on shorthaul flights. When leg room is not an issue, seats may be much closer together. from Futuristics

Budget airline Ryanair says it plans to ban passengers from taking checked-in luggage on board its planes within a couple of years.

"The objective is to get rid of hold baggage altogether," said Mr O'Leary, with passengers restricted to carry-on baggage only. This could cut its airport costs by a third within two to three years, it said.

Already fewer than 50% of Ryanair passengers had check in baggage, Mr O'Leary said, with the average stay away being only two-and-a-quarter days.

"If you want to carry more, then fly with more expensive airlines," he said.