An alarmingly high number of British travellers have engaged in sexual activity or a short-lived holiday fling as a result of a swift pint, according to a new survey.

The survey, carried out by Essential Travel - the UK’s leading travel essentials provider - found 15 per cent of Brits admit to a sexual encounter at the airport or on the plane, while 20 per cent admit to a short-lived holiday romance.

Essential Travel commissioned the survey in light of Guinness heir, Clare Irby’s drunken romp on a Kingfisher Airlines flight from India.

The revealing survey also found 56 per cent of passengers head for the bar after clearing airport security, whereas 28 per cent of those questioned remained sensible and headed straight for their departure gate or for a spot of duty-free shopping.

Brits are notorious for behaving badly abroad and the results show their inhibitions are left at check-in along with their luggage.

One in five admit to being sick at the airport or on the plane as a result of drinking and a further 15 per cent confess to having fallen asleep and missed their flight.

Nearly half of travellers will drink any time of day or night once at the airport, although 32 per cent prefer to do so between the more sociable hours of 5-10pm.

“Brit’s love to enjoy their holidays and it’s obvious that not a moment is wasted,” says Stuart Bensusan, Director, Essential Travel. “It’s pretty clear that people like to let their hair down and for some, it can go a little too far.”

“Travellers need to be aware that excessive drinking can lead to holiday disaster. Insurance policies can become invalid and those with hire cars waiting at the other end will find themselves being refused transport.”