31-07-2025
JSX Grows From Private Jet Company To Airline Alternative
During the dark days of COVID, private jet transport grew in popularity. Wealthy people used private jets to take their families away from locked-down urban areas to beach, ski or ranch getaways. Some private jet companies began offering scheduled service to various destinations.
Now the airlines are back to their pre-COVID routes, along with crowded flights, packed airports, uncomfortable lounges, long security lines and uneven service. But rather than disappear, private jet operators are offering a much more comfortable and time-friendly alternative, at prices an increasing number of travelers are willing to pay. In 2024, JSX, primarily based in Dallas, TX, operated 36,000 flights of jet aircraft configured for 30 seats, the maximum for operations as 'private charters.'
JSX is one company making the transition to airline alternative. The public charter jet service was originally founded as JetSuiteX in April 2016. CEO and founder Alex Wilcox has said the carrier was created in response to declining short-haul traffic and the rise in fares on U.S. short-haul flights. Prices for flying in comfort sans crowds might be lower than you expect. For example, JSX service from Burbank (BUR) and Orange County (SNA) to Napa Airport (APC) is four times weekly and starts at $189 one-way.
I had never flown in a private jet or in a 'semi-private' airline alternative, so I didn't really know what to expect when I got to experience this 'underground' alternative carrier on a July journey from Burbank to Napa Airport in California wine country. Napa Airport is not served by commercial carriers, but was much closer to our destination, the warm yet elegant Four Seasons Napa Valley, than airports in Oakland, San Francisco, or Santa Rosa.
Perhaps I had been expecting a repurposed Gulfstream or Lear Jet, but instead, I found a professional operation at Burbank Airport. I gave my Uber driver the address of JSX at a hangar far from the main terminal at Burbank and he found it first time. There was a literal hum of activity at the JSX terminal, as the roar of the idling jets brought back the romance of post-war aviation.
The JSX operation is like a mini airline, with ticket and baggage counter, gate agents, and a security screening area, along with outside and indoor seating for waiting passengers. I chose the inside lounge, because the roar of the jets was loud outside and the free snacks were inside the air conditioned, soundproofed lounge.
JSX operates 48 Embraer 135 and 145 aircraft, each with 30 seats, the maximum allowable under private charter rules.. The Brazilian company is the third-largest manufacturer of civil aircraft in the world and is known for its manufacture of regional airlines like the E170 and E195 that can carry more than 100 passengers.
The JSX single-aisle Embraer 145 I flew on holds up to 30 passengers. There are 15 single-seats rows on either side of the aisle . Each passenger gets a large, comfortable leather seat with business-class legroom and power outlets for portable devices. JSX is a global launch customer for Starlink inflight Wi-Fi, and provides high-speed internet at no charge. Each of us had our own porthole-shaped window to look out on the short (about one hour and five minutes) flight as well.
The check-in process was simple although it required a bit of shouting over the jet roar. JSX says you can check in just 20 minutes before takeoff on most flights, saving up to two hours over the check-in process at major airports. Check-in for passengers, including a pair of French bulldogs traveling with their owners, was simple.
The airline seems much more pet friendly than conventional airlines. JSX says medium and large sized dogs can also be accommodated. I did notice a standard poodle sauntering in, and I spoke with a woman waiting to board with her 225-pound St. Bernard, which she said was a service dog.
The TSA security process, taking one's keys, wallets, etc. out of pockets and sauntering through screening, was also simple, fast and crowd- free.
We dropped off our luggage and were quickly reunited with it as we landed. I was balancing some carry-ons, and a crew member ran to help me disembark. 'We're here to help,' she said, in a radical departure from typical airline service.
The flight was smooth, quiet and comfortable. As I sat on my solitary throne looking out the window, I found myself wishing the flight was a little longer so I could savor my drink.
On board, we were served by a gracious flight attendant who brought passengers snacks, beverages and cocktails, but was also safety trained. JSX may also be a potential choice for families with special needs. JSX is said to be the world's first autism-certified air carrier, developing its autism awareness training and protocols in collaboration with Autism Double-Checked. JSX crew members, including pilots, flight attendants, and customer service agents, receive training on how to support passengers with autism.
The carrier flies to more than 20 destinations in the U.S. and Mexico, A public charter air carrier, JSX provides service to both major airports like Burbank and Las Vegas and to those not served by major airliners. These include Destin Executive in Florida (DSI), Cabo San Lucas (CSW), Napa (APC), Concord/East Bay (CCR) Boulder/Denver (BJC), Denver (APA), Taos (TSM), Scottsdale (SCF), Austin (EDC), and fast-growing Naples, Florida (APF).
In addition to the service to Napa, new and resumed seasonal routes include Orange County (SNA) ⇄ Salt Lake City (SLC), with fares from $259 one-way, Taos, NM (TSM) from Carlsbad (CLD) and Burbank (BUR) with fares from $229, and Reno-Tahoe (RNO) from Carlsbad and Las Vegas from $259–$269 one-way.
The carrier recently launched its own rewards program, Club JSX. Membership is free. Rewards including customers earning 5% of applicable base fare, seat fees, and pet fees as future trip credit.
The crowd on the JSX plane was mostly under 40. Like Costco members, who have an average income of over $125,000, they seemed like people who know value when they see it.
