Airline passenger news and views

Passengers could at last be spared the 'bun fight' that ultimately happens when bording a budget airline. EasyJet is to trial allocated seating on selected routes in the spring, following a similar move by rival Ryanair. At present passenger are unable to choose their preferred seat before they board a plane.

At the moment those who have speedy boarding or have young children have the priority, but even so there is no guarantee that they will get the required seat of their choice.

The trial of allocated seating is seen as another step on the road to increasing EasyJet's appeal to business customers. Shares fell 3 per cent following today's update.

Ryanair currently charges a fee for a seat in the front row and has recently extended its reserved seating trial on 80 routes.

Although the move has not made the airline's 25-minute turnaround any longer, a spokesman said the carrier has no plans to extend the programme to the entire plane.

The majority of passengers taking part in easyJet's trial are not expected to pay for their seats, although the airline has admitted it plans to charge for popular spots such as the first few rows and seats over the wings.

The news comes as the airline revealed a rise in profits today but warned it will become harder to pass higher fuel prices on to passengers.

The group reported a 31.5 per cent increase in underlying profits to £248 million in the year to September 30, which was at the upper end of expectations, after a sharp rise in the number of business passengers.

It said around 45 per cent of winter seats are already booked - about the same level as last year - but warned that weak consumer confidence across Europe will slow the rate at which higher costs can be passed on to passengers.