JSX is an American air carrier that is currently based in Dallas, Texas. The air carrier’s Chief Executive Officer, Alex Wilcox, helped found the company in April 2016 under the initial name ‘JetSuiteX’. Wilcox has stated that JSX was created to counter the rising prices of short-haul flights and the decline of short-haul flights overall within the United States. He also stated that he believed this was mostly due to long wait times in airports and several other factors.

JSX is not an airline as such, but is instead a unique configuration that allows the company to consider itself an air carrier. The company itself is made up of two branches. One branch, which is the company JSX itself, is officially registered as a public charter operator, which falls under Part 380 of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

The other branch of the company is a subsidiary of JSX, which is called Delux Public Charter. This branch of the company operates a regional Embraer jet and then sells the seats to the public through JSX. It operates as a Part 135 operator. Therefore, JSX can utilize pilots who are qualified to work in charter operations instead of pilots who are qualified to fly commercial passenger flights.

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

Because of this, JSX is not considered a standard scheduled airline by the FAA but is considered an air carrier. This also allows JSX passengers to fly in unique charter jets and experience luxury travel for a cheaper price than chartering a private jet or purchasing a business jet to fly in. Let’s take a closer look at the air carrier shaking up standard air travel in the United States.

Brief history

As previously mentioned, JSX was founded as JetSuiteX in April 2016. The company was founded to help battle against declining traffic on short-haul flights. The founders of JSX realized that with the traffic declining on short-haul flights, the prices for these flights would increase, and the routes would become less competitive. The founders also attributed this decline in traffic to passengers choosing to drive instead of waiting in long lines at airports before getting on their aircraft.

Photo: Felipe Sanchez | Shutterstock

Therefore, the founders decided to find a way to utilize public charter operators to allow flights to operate on a schedule. Therefore, JSX was created with a separate subsidiary that operated as a charter service. This allowed the company to operate scheduled flights out of fixed-base operators (FBO) or private hangars in terminals to increase convenience for JSX passengers.

JSX then launched its first flight on April 19, 2016, which connected Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) in Concord, California. The operator began expanding flights shortly after, launching to airports across the country. Some airports and airlines opposed the launch of JSX in their regions.

For example, in September 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors attempted to bar JSX from operating flights at John Wayne Airport (SNA). However, JSX filed a lawsuit and was granted an extended restraining order to continue operations at the airport. The air carrier continues to operate at this airport today.

The JSX experience

Per ch-aviation, JSX operates the following aircraft:

These fleets of aircraft have an average age of around 23 years each. It also has 26 Embraer E145 aircraft to be delivered. The majority of these aircraft can fit 30 passengers in a one-by-one configuration.

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

These aircraft have enough space to sit the 30 passengers comfortably and have ample room, similar to business class seating. It also includes power outlets in every row, flight attendance service, complimentary snacks and drinks, and even free onboard Starlink WiFi.

Another unique experience is that the aircraft depart and arrive from FBOs and private terminals. This means that passengers can walk up to the airport and get seated on their plane extremely quickly. This also means that passengers do not need to wait in long TSA security lines or wait to board after hundreds of other passengers at a busy airport. Many of these FBOs and private terminals have lounges as well.

Where JSX operates to

JSX flies throughout the United States and also to Mexico. It operates over one hundred daily flights to 24 different destinations. It also has several seasonal offerings into Mexico and the Bahamas. Over 1,000 crew members are employed by the air carrier.The aircraft operates out of eight different bases. These bases are as follows:

• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California
• Dallas Love Field (DAL) in Texas
• Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Nevada
• Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport (OPF) in Florida
• Oakland International Airport (OAK) in California
• Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida
• Scottsdale Airport (SCF) in Arizona

Photo: Robin Guess I Shutterstock

The air carrier also operates at other significant airports, including Cabo San Lucas International Aiport (CSL) in Mexico, McCellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) in Concord, California, Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in Nevada, Taos Regional Airport (TSM) in New Mexico, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) in Boulder, Colorado, Austin Executive Airport (EDC) in Texas, Houston Hobby International Airport (HOU) in Texas, and Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New Yrok, among others. JSX also operates other seasonal routes to Cabo San Lucas (CSL), Los Angeles (LAX), Destin Executive Airport (DSI) in Florida, and Morristown Airport (MMU) in New Jersey.

Have you ever flown with JSX? Let us know in the comments.