Long security lines, packed cabins and shrinking legroom; flying anywhere these days often feels like something to be endured rather than enjoyed. As a result, a growing number of travellers in the United States have been bypassing the main terminal and dipping their toes into the world of semi-private air travel instead with the award-winning hop-on jet service by JSX.
After surging in popularity during the pandemic, the demand for private and semi-private air travel shows no signs of slowing down any time soon and the hybrid charter service by JSX offers a significant crowd-skipping, and sanity-saving step up from commercial economy-class for cautious fliers heading stateside.
The semi-private experience
Founded in 2016, JSX has established a fast-growing Midwest and West Coast flight network across 16 key US markets, including a new Miami to Dallas route last October while a nonstop service from Oakland to Phoenix is launching in February. Uniquely positioned to provide the industry’s only crowd-free alternative to public air travel, perks of flying in one of JSX’s 30-seat Embraer 135 and 145 jet aircraft are many. Perhaps top of the list, though, is saving time and stress by avoiding crowds at the airport.
According to JSX CEO Alex Wilcox, the JSX experience was created for anyone who values their time. He said: “From private jet owners and first-class fliers to families and business travellers who desire a simpler, better way to travel, we welcome them all with open arms.”
Like flying private but at a more approachable price point (fares can start from $129 each way), you’ll pull up at a private terminal and breeze through a contactless check-in (up to 20 minutes before departure) before boarding a 30-seat plane with all business class style leg room. Two pieces of checked luggage, including skis, snowboards and golf bags, onboard bar service (gin and tonic, anyone?), and complimentary in-cabin travel for cats and small dogs, is also included. Another major draw with JSX is being able to deplane and grab bags within five minutes of arrival, which means no more jostling for position around the baggage carousel waiting for the conveyer belt to start moving.
A progressive aviation company
In addition to its many industry-leading features, JSX was honored by Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as the 2020 ‘Best Overall in North America’ air carrier and by Fast Company as one of the ‘Most Innovative Travel Brands’ of 2020. It’s also the world’s first air carrier certified as Autism-Aware by Autism Double-Checked.
Committed to championing equality, diversity, and inclusion in the aviation community JSX works closely with organisations like the National Gay Pilots Association and Women in Aviation International. Currently, 8.3 per cent of JSX’s pilots are female – an industry-leading figure – and almost 40 per cent of its crew and staff.
The perfect way to fly
Although service routes are, for now at least, primarily focused along the West Coast – from Orange County, you can fly to Napa and Oakland; from San Diego to Las Vegas – JSX added Miami flights to Westchester County in New York State and across Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston) late last year. This means that making your way from coast to coast semi-private with JSX is completely doable. You’d hop from New York to Miami to soak up in the sun for a few days in South Beach before popping over to Dallas. From there, it’s a three-hour flight to Las Vegas, where you can spend a couple of nights at the new mega Resorts World complex, consisting of three Hilton brand hotels. After Sin City, swing up to Lake Tahoe, which enjoyed a record-breaking 18-foot snowfall in December, for a spot of skiing.
JSX serves Austin (AUS), Burbank (BUR), Concord/Napa (CCR), Dallas Love Field (DAL), Destin (DSI), Houston Hobby (HOU), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Monterey (MRY), Oakland (OAK), Orange County (SNA), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), and Reno-Tahoe (RNO). Flights can be booked directly through jsx.com.
All imagery used in this article credit: JSX
