Aussie first SMS flight booking service

Jetstar has launched the first ever mobile phone, ticketless service for booking airline flights which it hopes will make it easier for Australians to book low fare journeys

This is only the second service to be developed in the world, and it is aimed at making booking flights much more convenient for people since they can do it from anywhere, instead of having to log online, ring up from a landline or visit a travel centre.

'JetSMS' was initiated by Jetstar and is being developed by Optus and Start Corporation. It will allow Jetstar customers to be connected to any mobile network within Australia to make bookings 24 hours a day.

Simon Westaway, the manager of corporate relations at Jetstar said. "We are taking advantage of the increasing use of mobile phones in Australia. At the moment, on average, 4.8 billion text messages are sent in this country every year and four in five people have mobile phones. That's almost the same of people that have TVs in their homes.

"We think this kind of service suits the lifestyles of people at this time, as makes it a lot easier for them to book flights whenever they want to. It's very simplistic."

All people have to do is pre-register so that their personal details and credit card number is in the database. Once they are registered, they are free to text enquiries about flight times, availability and how many passengers are required.

Westaway says that about three text messages will probably need to be exchanged before the user receives confirmation of the flight, with a booking number for reference.

Each person will need to present this booking number at the airport before boarding the plane.

Mr Joyce said the JetSMS/Optus project also underlined Jetstar's commitment to providing Australians increased access to a cost effective medium for booking Jetstar flights, using the latest layers of technology.

"SMS has revolutionised the way consumers now use and rely on their mobile phones, making the adaption of this technology to include booking airfare a logical extension."

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