Gatwick Airport claims a new way of boarding passengers can reduce the journey from gate to seat by 10%.

The airport teamed up with Easyjet for the trial which boards people in window seats first, starting at the back of the plane.

Groups of people who want to sit together are seated by row.

Gatwick said the airline managed to board 158 passengers in 14 minutes - three minutes faster than usual.

Aviation journalist Gerry Byrne said it is something that could be rolled out by all airlines.

“I think it is actually a very good idea,” he said.

“As soon as you step off the gangplank or the staircase, you’re not left with a wall of people pushing their luggage into overhead lockers.

“Those people immediately in front of you have gone down the plane and by the time you get down to your seat, they have their luggage put away and they are sitting down already.”

He said the idea would work for all airlines – allowing them to board quicker, preventing delays and ensuring quicker turn-around.

Gatwick said the new boarding methods stop long queues forming at the gate, seat people quicker resulting in fewer delayed flights.

Reporting from Kim Buckley