SYDNEY, Australia-
Travelers were so eager to take advantage of cheap new flights from Australia to Asia that they crashed discount carrier Jetstar's Web site Wednesday.
The homegrown airline began selling tickets for its new international services, due to start in November, amid predictions that the move could spark a fare price war.
Qantas-owned Jetstar is offering promotional fares from as low as $128 one-way to select Asian destinations, but will charge passengers for extras like blankets, pillows and in-flight entertainment.
The Jetstar Web site crashed soon after the offers went online, with more then 100,000 hits reported in the first few hours.
Jetstar will initially fly to Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Osaka, Bali and later Honolulu, from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The first international service will fly from Melbourne to Bangkok on Nov. 23, followed by a Sydney to Phuket service the next day.
But promotional fares won't last long. Its non-promotional international fares will start at $310 one-way–still a bargain compared with other airlines.
