It's becoming clear that Jetstar, on many levels, can no longer be strictly considered a budget or low cost carrier on  any other basis than its 'would you like fries with that?' fare structure.

Further confirmation came with news Jetstar has signed with TravelSky, the Chinese Global Distribution System. It already has GDS agreements with Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, Abacus etc.

Low Cost Carriers aren't supposed to do that. GDS distribution costs extra. Nor should budget carriers, in theory at least, charge higher fares than the so-called legacy airlines. But Jetstar does.

For example, I've just bought a return fare to Bangkok through Jetabroad.com.au on Thai Airways for A$878*.

If I had booked the same itinerary on identical dates through Jetstar I would have paid $1152 for the basic fare, not including food, inflight entertainment or a comfort pack (blanket and pillow), for which you pay extra.

Sydney-Phuket on Jetstar was $985 plus, plus for the same dates.

Full story:

www.traveltrends.biz/ttn555-jetstar-the-not-so-low-cost-carrier