The jet-set gents will cut aircraft queues

Urinals are to be installed on passenger aircraft to cut queues for the lavatory.

The one-man units will be set up in cubicles alongside the conventional lavatories and could even lead to separate ladies' and gents' facilities.

The design, by German manufacturers Dassel interiors, could be seen on many major commercial aircraft, including the A380 airbus and Boeing 747.



According to Norbert Runn, the company's head of business development, the urinals could be in use by next year. However he declined to say which airline was ready to take up the new technology.

With men being the majority of airline passengers in economy class, the introduction of urinals is seen as having a number of advantages. "They are smaller and take up less room than conventional toilets," Mr Runn said.

The urinals would also save water, because they would not need to be flushed after every visit.