The European Union’s proposals to give passengers free extra cabin luggage on flights will push up fares and cause widespread delays for travellers across Europe, easyJet’s boss has warned. Kenton Jarvis, the airline’s chief executive, has blasted the plans as a “lunatic idea” and “terrible for the customer”, criticising politicians for not understanding how aircraft cabins work.

Last week, the European Parliament backed plans to allow passengers one free underseat bag, plus a cabin case weighing up to 7kg. The case would be bigger than the current maximum permitted free cabin item on Ryanair and other airlines. The proposal would apply to all EU-based airlines and all flights to or from EU airports. This would include the vast majority of short-haul routes between the UK and Europe. However, Mr Jarvis has said aircraft do not have enough space for everyone to bring a cabin case on board, with planes only able to accommodate cabin bags for around 65% of passengers.

Short-haul flights in Europe are usually operated by narrow-body, single-aisle aircraft, including the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families. Major carriers like British Airways, easyJet and Vueling rely on the former, while budget carriers like Ryanair use the Boeing jets. These planes generally seat between 150 and 200 passengers, meaning only a maximum of 130 can bring a cabin case on board.

The rest would have to be removed at the gate and placed in the hold, which often incurs a fee, particularly on budget airlines like easyJet or Ryanair.

“That was the number one cause of delayed boarding in the old days,” Mr Javis said, warning that the changes would take air travel “back in time”.

He also warned that if free cabin bags became mandatory, fares would also increase for everyone. Bag fees currently make up a large share of easyJet’s ancillary income – annual income from extras – which reached £2.5billion last year.

“That money would have to be passed on in ticket prices,” Mr Jarvis said, arguing that current fares still represent good value, even when luggage charges are added.

“I just can’t explain how stupid it would be, just crazy European legislation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines For Europe, Europe’s largest airline association, said in a statement: “Europe’s airline market is built on choice. Forcing a mandatory trolley bag strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need.

“What’s next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket? The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t.”