Budget carrier chief executive Varadi said the carbon footprint of business passengers was twice that of those in economy.

He believes the cabin shouldn’t be offered on flights of less than five hours, and has called on other carriers to phase out business.

Wizz, which doesn’t currently offer business, is aiming to reduce carbon emissions per passenger by 30% over the next 10 years.

“Business class should be banned,” said Varadi. “These passengers account for twice the carbon footprint of an economy passenger, and the industry is guilty of preserving an inefficient and archaic model.

“A rethink is long overdue, and we call on fellow airlines to commit to a total ban on business class travel for any flight under five hours.”

On the carrier’s environmental ambitions, Varadi cited Wizz’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, but stressed it had "a very long way to go".

“The industry as a whole needs to be more aggressive in its ambitions if we are truly to make a difference.”

Wizz posted record first half profits of €371.5 million on Wednesday (13 November) and vowed to “accelerate” profit growth by more than 20% during the second half of the year.

It also firmed up its full-year profit guidance at €335 million to €350 million, up from a forecast of €320 million to €350 million.

Varadi said the carrier’s new more fuel efficient Airbus A321neo and A321XLR aircraft would be operated "with high seat count and high load factors" to further reduce its environmental impact.