Summary
By its very nature, flying private (or semi-private) eliminates much of the friction of traditional air travel. Forget arriving at the airport early, navigating TSA security, or even waiting at the baggage carousel. For JSX, the buzzy public charter company that primarily operates out of private jet terminals, the time savings and convenience for passengers can be immense.
“Our goal is simple: to have our customers be happier when they arrive than when they left,” says JSX CEO and founder Alex Wilcox at the company’s first-ever media day event. All of that convenience naturally comes at a price premium. Typically, a seat on a JSX flight hovers around what a first-class seat may cost on a commercial airline.
The Dallas-based carrier has gained a cult following since its inception in 2016, but this year is particularly pivotal. Growth is essential, especially serving “smaller air markets that commercial just can’t do,” Wilcox explains. This winter, JSX expanded its coast-to-coast network to include international service, with seasonal flights to Cabo San Lucas from both Los Angeles and Dallas. In total, JSX now has 43 routes across 22 key North American markets.
The company is rolling out an in-flight feature that loyal JSX travelers have long awaited: onboard Wi-Fi. Best of all, it’s a blazing fast service from SpaceX’s Starlink, an incremental improvement over any other internet available on a plane today. Here’s what flying with JSX is like in 2023 — and what’s next for the company’s routes, facilities, and amenities.
Convenience of JSX Flights
Impressively Fast (and Free) Wi-Fi
A decade ago, staying connected at 35,000 feet felt like a privilege, not an expectation. Fast forward to 2023. JSX is finally installing gate-to-gate Wi-Fi on all aircraft, and it’s also the first carrier to use Starlink, an arm of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, delivering speeds faster than passengers may experience in their own homes. Connectivity is seamless, with instant access to the Starlink Wi-Fi network. There are no logins or landing pages to contend with. Speeds can reach up to 100 megabytes—sufficient for everything from casual browsing to streaming, including video conferencing.
Moreover, JSX executives assert that they will be the first air carrier to secure Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for video calling on board. In a real-life test, video chatting with other passengers onboard was possible, followed by a call to someone on the ground—without any noticeable lag.
Currently, all 21 of JSX’s E-145 aircraft are Starlink equipped, with the remaining 16 E-135 aircraft scheduled to have Wi-Fi installed by the end of May.
Expansion of Routes
New Routes: Going East
With two-thirds of the U.S. population east of the Mississippi, Wilcox and team recognize East Coast flights as an untapped opportunity for JSX. White Plains, New York, is currently JSX’s Northeast base, and the only route the carrier currently offers is a daily service to Miami. This summer, anticipate routes added to Portland, Maine, and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
“Not only are some of the major airlines leaving behind smaller airports, but we’re also uniquely positioned to serve locations they cannot access,” Wilcox notes. Because of JSX’s status as a public air charter, the carrier has the ability to fly to three times the number of airports compared to a commercial airline.
More Planes: It’s Called “Planecycling”
To grow rapidly, JSX needs planes. Consequently, Wilcox mentions that a refreshed aircraft will enter JSX’s fleet every six weeks in 2023. The air carrier currently has 77 30-seat Embraer jets in its fleet — though only 37 of those planes are operational right now.
The company’s strategy, known as “planecycling,” involves refreshing jets that would otherwise be retired or discarded, while still having ample usable life. Onboard a test flight, the JSX cabin felt remarkably fresh, despite this being a 21-year-old Embraer E-145 jet. Cabins are particularly airy thanks to the absence of overhead bins and the inclusion of bright, modernized lighting.
Enhanced Onboard Amenities
Refreshed Amenities and Facilities
Onboard, JSX recently introduced a new service concept, particularly impressive for “long-haul” flights (over 550 miles). For these longer flights, the service flow includes a “cocktail hour,” hot towels, a cold meal service, a gourmet snack basket, and a “fresh farewell” mint. Flight attendants also ensure water is offered to the cabin every 15 minutes.
Revamped cold meal options feature a Mediterranean-inspired chicken wrap, Thai noodles, and a fruit and yogurt parfait. On the beverage front, travelers can enjoy selections such as an Ohza canned peach bellini and a cabernet sauvignon from California’s Murphy Goode winery.
Meanwhile, at the airport, JSX is working on a new hangar in Dallas, which will function as both office space and a passenger terminal, set to open later this fall.
