Private aviation is the most exclusive way to fly. It has many perks, including faster boarding, as this mode of air travel is exempt from standard TSA checkpoints. Executive jet owners and operators also get enhanced flexibility as they can virtually charter a flight within a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive way to fly.

Owning a jet can cost tens of millions of dollars, and chartering an entire plane for yourself or a group of people can reach hundreds of thousands. But there is an alternative: semi-private chartering. This effectively works similarly to commercial aviation, where you rent a seat. You will not travel in an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, but much smaller jets like the ERJ135. You may even fly in a Cessna Citation X. This article will mainly examine the Dallas area and examine two operators: JSX and Wheels Up.

JSX

JSX is a public charter jet service headquartered in Dallas, Texas. They operate a “hop on” style of service. It is like flying a commercial jet: customers book a flight using the air carrier’s website or app. But this is the only thing they have in common with commercial competitors. The rest is more akin to flying privately. For instance, prospective customers can arrive at the hangar 20 minutes before departure (45 minutes for international destinations).

Readers who have previously flown on an ERJ145, 135, or any other regional jet would expect a cramped 1-2 or even 2-2 seating configuration with this carrier; while the arrangement can still be 1-2, some of the fleet has been reconfigured during the pandemic, giving a more spacious 1-1 seating.

Simple Flying asked them how they differ from traditional carriers, and this is what a representative told us :

JSX is dramatically improving air travel for thousands of travelers every day by offering the hassle-free, crowd-free experience of flying between private terminals on 30-seat Embraer aircraft. JSX has amassed a reputation for joyful, simple, and reliable air travel by offering a category of flying it calls ‘hop-on jet service’ for all, providing an accessible charter jet travel experience once reserved for corporate leaders and the ultra-wealthy to all.

Offering a new level of convenience at an accessible price point, the everyday JSX experience starts with checking in to a dedicated hangar just 20 minutes prior to departure to hop aboard a sleek
30-seat jet
featuring business class legroom, frictionless security, free high speed

Starlink

Wi-Fi, and in-seat power, allowing customers to simply
hop on & go


in style. The rapidly growing air carrier is revolutionizing the industry and carving out its own category of simple, seamless & crowd-free air travel for all with its innovative approach to modern air travel across a fast-growing coast to coast network.

From Dallas, they fly to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and Austin, Houston, Denver, Gunnison, Las Vegas, and Miami in the US. You can also charter your own JSX plane to other airports. If you are interested, this video will show you what flying with them is like.

Wheels Up

Wheels Up is another operator that has the option of semi-private chartering. Unlike JSX, they operate a fleet of purpose-built executive aircraft. They offer a wide range of private jet categories, from the turboprop King Air to the super-midsize Cessna Citation X. Another point where Wheels Up differentiates itself from other carriers is that it requires amembership feeof $2,995 in the first year and then 2,495$ from year 2.

The airline was founded in 2013 and has grown exponentially since its inception eleven years ago. It has gone through multiple acquisitions, including purchasing Delta Private Jets. This explains why it has strong links to the commercial airline, which owns a 20% share of the private jet provider. As of August 2023, the company was the second largest on-demand provider of private aviation after NetJets.

After selecting the departure and arrival, the overall cost will be calculated and available for instant booking. There is also an option for what the carrier calls “shared flights,” where customers can book a seat on a chartered aircraft and split the cost among all passengers, reducing the overall price tag.

Related

Delta-Backed Private Jet Outfit Wheels Up Avoids Bankruptcy With $500 Million Investment

The private jet company has been saved by an American legacy carrier.

Bottom line

We have chosen two carriers as an example, but many other carriers offer a “by-the-seat” style of private air travel. These include Vista’s XO Jet, the helicopter charter service BLADE with BLADEOne, Surfer, and several other operators. And while semi-private flying is no cheap affair, it offers a competitive alternative for those wishing to cut costs on luxury flying or try out a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Have you heard of these operators before? What do you think of semi-private air carriers? Do you think it’s worth it? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section below.