Virgin Atlantic Airways scrapped plans to install bright-red urinals shaped like women's open lips at New York's John F Kennedy Airport, saying it had received complaints they were offensive.

“Virgin Atlantic was very sorry to hear of people's concerns about the design of the 'Kisses' urinals to be fitted into our clubhouse at JFK Airport.  We can assure everyone who complained to us that no offence was ever intended,” Virgin spokesman John Riordan said in a statement.

“I don't know many men who think it's cool to pee in a woman's mouth, even a porcelain one,” said one complainant.

The urinal, designed by a Dutch company, was the idea of a female designer. Riordan said Virgin was surprised by the negative reaction to the plan, part of designs for the lounge, built to pamper first-class customers.