More than 50,000 people simultaneously trying to snap up $1 fares in Jetstar's sale caused the airline's website to collapse yesterday.
The Australian budget airline yesterday marked the launch of its New Zealand domestic service by offering 20,000 $1 one-way fares between July 22 and September 22. The fares sold out after the two-hour sale was extended for 30 minutes.
Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said the company had anticipated heavy demand and had increased the number of servers behind the website by three to a bank of 10.
However, that was still not enough to deal with the unprecedented demand. Many people reported being unable to access the website or the site locking up after typing in the passenger information.
"We've had unprecedented interest, we've had tens of thousands of unique visitors at any one moment."
People who succeeded in buying a ticket found the $1 airfare actually cost an additional $2 per sector when paying with a credit card. They would also have to travel light because they could not check in any luggage.
One person who bought airfares paid $12 for two return flights between Christchurch and Wellington. The fare included $8 worth of credit card fees. Westaway said the fees were to cover the cost of the transaction.
Jetstar will begin flights between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown from June 10.
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