The minimum leg room for passengers on planes should be increased by "at least two inches", a report by a House of Lords committee has said.
The Government was "wrong" to charge premium economy passengers the same airport Air Passenger Duty (APD) departure tax as those in first-class seats for long-haul flights, added the report from the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee.
There should also be further research into possible links between contaminated-air incidents on planes and long-term ill-health, the committee said.
The committee members also said they were "very concerned" to hear from unions that fatigue in pilots could be putting passengers' lives at risk.
The peers said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) should commission a long-term study into the effects of fatigue on air crew.
The report called on the CAA "to implement their own research" and increase the regulatory minimum distance between seats on commercial aircraft from 26in "to at least 28.2in".
The committee added: "While most UK airlines currently operate with a 30in or above seat pitch, the committee feels this should be guaranteed by the CAA.
"The fact that many airlines already provide this suggests a regulatory requirement would not place onerous demands on the industry."
In terms of leg room, premium economy is one up from economy class and not as roomy, or expensive, as business or first class.
The committee said the Government was wrong to tax premium economy services on long-haul flights at the same £80 rate as first class travel rather than at the standard rate of £40.
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Full report here:
http://www.publications.parliament.u.../121/12101.htm LJ