Airlines could ban drunk passengers from flying with them for life in a crackdown on incidents they say could endanger lives.

Budget carrier Jet2 has introduced the measure and other companies are expected to follow suit under a new industry-wide code of conduct.

Phil Ward, Jet2’s managing director, said his company would not allow the “disruptive few” to spoil flights for families and holidaymakers.

He told The Times he had seen passengers swigging from cans of lager at 5.30am in Manchester Airport and was concerned about “pre-loading” before flights.

“The plane is not a nightclub,” he added. “It’s six miles up and going at 500mph so you can’t step outside to get some fresh air.”

Jet2 said disorderly behaviour by travellers who get drunk before they even board flights has risen “drastically” in the last two years.