In 2007 research funded by Silverjet, a now-defunct airline, found that flying from Heathrow was more stressful than being mugged.

ECONOMIST: Ryanair, and the death of the barbecue summer

His airline certainly has met a better fate than some: British business-class carrier Silverjet collapsed into bankruptcy last month, sacking all 420 staff.

FORBES: British Airways Lands L'Avion

Smaller, beds-only start-ups MAXJet Airways and Silverjet are logging airtime too.

FORBES: No Rest For A Weary Start-Up

First to succumb were the airlines with innovative new business models, such as Silverjet with its mission to undercut the major airlines in the battle for business passengers.

BBC: Is the worst over for the airlines?