More than 80 000 passengers, 66 percent of those polled by Ryanair, said they would be happy to stand during one-hour flights. Thirty-four percent said they wanted a seat.

"With 120 000 passengers voting and 80 000 saying they would stand on board, Ryanair will continue to explore the concept of 'fare free standing' flights with Boeing and the relevant aviation authorities in the US and EU," Ryanair's head of communications Stephen McNamara said.

Under the proposal, passengers would lean on a stool or ledge and wear a seatbelt during take off and landing. Passengers would still have to pay taxes and charges imposed by governments or airport operators.

The online poll showed 42 percent of passengers would stand if the fare was halved compared to 58 percent who wanted a seat.

Asked if passengers should have a choice of standing on short flights as they do on trains, buses and Underground transport, 60 percent said yes and 40 percent said no.

Ryanair this year abandoned plans for a "fat tax" on obese passengers, because it would slow down check-in procedures.

The airline has been criticised for considering other money-making schemes including charging people to go to the toilet.

The poll comes one day after the budget carrier said it would cut capacity by 40 percent at Stansted airport, northeast of London, starting from October because of higher charges.

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AFP