JSX is expanding to the East Coast, which I find to be an interesting development. While I’m not sure I personally get the appeal, maybe OMAAT readers can educate me?
In this post:
What is JSX?
For those not familiar with JSX, it’s an independent airline in the United States, though it has received investments from both JetBlue and Qatar Airways. JSX operates a fleet of over 20 Embraer E135 and E145 aircraft. These are the same jets you’d find at the regional carriers of major airlines, except they’re configured more comfortably.
JSX planes feature just 30 seats (compared to the typical 50 seats you’d find on these jets), and JSX offers premium service, including complimentary alcohol and snacks.
The airline connects various markets (primarily short haul ones), and typically flies from the general aviation part of airports, meaning that you don’t have to go through security. The airline is essentially trying to cater to the crowd that finds the concept of “semi-private” travel (which I’ll talk more about below) appealing.
JSX initially primarily operated on the West Coast, but has continued expanding in a variety of point-to-point markets, including now to my home airport.
JSX adds route between Miami & Westchester
As of November 18, 2021, JSX will operate a new flight between Miami (MIA) and Westchester (HPN). The service seems to primarily be operating 5x weekly, with one service per day, scheduled as follows:
XE500 Westchester to Miami departing 10:30AM arriving 1:50PM
XE501 Miami to Westchester departing 2:30PM arriving 5:30PM
Fares for the flight start at $749 one-way.
The base fares don’t even include seat assignments, which will set you back an extra $10-30 one-way.
Help me understand JSX please?
I’ve never flown with JSX before, and maybe I should give the airline a try and see if there’s something I’m missing. But I personally just don’t get the concept.
First of all, what is it with people referring to JSX as an affordable private jet carrier, a semi-private jet carrier, etc.? Maybe the dictionary is lying to me, but last I checked, “private” means “for the use of one particular person or group of people only.” How is a 30-seat jet, where each seat is sold individually, offering a private experience? Are turboprops with fewer 30 seats also private planes, by that definition?
And that kind of gets at what I don’t understand about the JSX concept:
- One selling point is that JSX leaves from private terminals, so you go through an abbreviated securityscreening compared to the TSA; personally between TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, I don’t feel like security is that big of an inconvenience nowadays
- At the end of the day, this is a small regional jet, and why would I want to fly a (non-private) regional jet when I could instead fly a larger jet that’s potentially much more comfortable?
- Not only that, but JSX is charging a huge price premium over first class on other airlines; I could fly an American 777 in a business class flat bed for $300, or I could pay $750+ in order to sit in an economy seat on a spacious regional jet?
- JSX has at most one flight a day, and presumably has just one plane based in Westchester; if you miss your flight there are no other options the same day, and similarly, if there are any mechanical issues, your flight will almost certainly be canceled
All that being said, I imagine checked bags come out much faster on JSX (given how few people there are), and it’s also nice to only board with at most 29 other passengers.
I can also see value in JSX if the airline can serve markets that aren’t otherwise served. There isn’t currently a nonstop flight between Miami and Westchester on any airline. If there’s a huge convenience factor to that for people, then I see merit to this. However, my guess is that JSX is going after the same New York crowd as every other airline, and Westchester was simply the most economical option for basing a plane and getting the space to run this operation.
Bottom line
JSX is expanding to the East Coast, with a new flight between Miami and Westchester. The flight will operate 5x weekly as of November 18, 2021, and fares start at $749 one-way.
I’ve never flown with JSX before, though maybe I should give the airline a try and see what I’m missing. People seem to like that the planes feature just 30 seats and there’s no security. However, at the end of the day this seems to me more like an overpriced regional jet flight, rather than a “semi-private jet” experience that I see so many people promoting.
What do you make of the JSX concept in general, and of this new route?
(Tip of the hat to pointfu)
Where is JSX in
Miami located
Depends how valuable your time is. The fact that I can get to the airport 20 minutes before , get on a plane and leave , to me is perfect. Call it private, call it semi, call it a bus, call it whatever. I think is fabulous. Not having to deal with airports and security and clear and luggage and people I think is amazing.
I looked into the HPN-MIA flights to travel with my medium sized dog, but the way they do it doesn't really make sense. Seating is 1-1, and they sell you another seat for the dog. The dog could easily sit on the floor in front of the table on the "C" side, but they insist that you have to purchase another seat, so basically the "A" seat. If two of us are traveling we have...
I looked into the HPN-MIA flights to travel with my medium sized dog, but the way they do it doesn't really make sense. Seating is 1-1, and they sell you another seat for the dog. The dog could easily sit on the floor in front of the table on the "C" side, but they insist that you have to purchase another seat, so basically the "A" seat. If two of us are traveling we have to purchase a seat on another row that would go unused. I don't mind paying something, but $750 for an unused seat seems unreasonable.
Yes I agree it’s a bit odd but what are the load factors do you know? - also whilst checking your dictionary please educate your readers on the meaning of a “ direct flight “ versus a “non- stop flight” maybe one day people and airline carriers will get it
I flew JSX from Burbank to Vegas a couple of years ago. Even with a delay, great experience from start to finish. Nice snack/beverage selection, very comfortable seats, great hospitality from the flight attendants. Highly recommend their service.
Ben for the record there is nothing affordable about basing plans at HPN this is all about the affluent customer base in Westchester and Fairfield county’s and avoiding traffic on the merrit/I95/Whitestone on the way to LGA or JFK which can easily lead to someone leaving their house 3+ hours before their flight vs <30 from HPN from a FBO terminal
im shocked at how you, Ben, from OMAAT, cant seem to grasp the amazing concept of flying JSX. Its basically flying private (not sure if youve ever had the pleasure of doing so, but its life changing) with:
1) pulling up to the private terminal at the airport 15 min before your flight
2) breezing through security
3) attentive service + free snacks and drinks
4) few other passengers to deal...
im shocked at how you, Ben, from OMAAT, cant seem to grasp the amazing concept of flying JSX. Its basically flying private (not sure if youve ever had the pleasure of doing so, but its life changing) with:
1) pulling up to the private terminal at the airport 15 min before your flight
2) breezing through security
3) attentive service + free snacks and drinks
4) few other passengers to deal with
5) arrival at another private terminal at an airport, step out the plane and board your UberSUV to your destination.
The time saving, privacy, and convenience are a HUGE pull for this kind of experience, only for a few hundred more $$ than a flight on a commercial airline.
seems to be you gotta try it before you hate it ;)
I flew JSX from Vegas to Burbank, and let me tell you, not having to go through security at McCarren was pure joy.
But the ticket was only nominally more than it would have been on another airline. It wasn't at all worth a significant premium.
So the reason for the route launch is obviously there is a large population in Westchester where going to JFK/LGA/EWR is inconvenient. JetBlue does fly to FLL from HPN for true commercial options.
But the reality is JSX sees BladeOne operating a 16 pax semi private jet and charging $2000 each way. They are massively undercutting them. JetSmarter (now XOJet) is in the $1500-2000 one way price point as well. And many of these...
So the reason for the route launch is obviously there is a large population in Westchester where going to JFK/LGA/EWR is inconvenient. JetBlue does fly to FLL from HPN for true commercial options.
But the reality is JSX sees BladeOne operating a 16 pax semi private jet and charging $2000 each way. They are massively undercutting them. JetSmarter (now XOJet) is in the $1500-2000 one way price point as well. And many of these flights do sell out. It’s been surprising/shocking to see how willing folks of means have been with spending a chunk of change on premium travel experiences since the pandemic began.
So the economies of scale make sense for JSX vs the other semi private operators and they maintain the biggest reason why ppl are willing to pay the higher price: private terminals, limited security, better service, etc. While I also do enjoy the AA 777 flat bed on JFK-MIA there is absolutely a spot for JSX to compete in this market given how much easier the pre/post flight experience is.
I flew JSX two years ago in California from Orange County to Mammoth. Was super convenient, going in/out of general aviation really nice. Price was $350 each way, but no one else flew the route, so no competition. Unfortunately they aren't flying that route currently!
I have been flying them since they started in Burbank (BUR - LAS), for $79 each way. As they grew their routes in California, and they became popular, sadly those $79 each way fares are now up to $300+. The number one reason they do do well in Burbank is the fact that you can pull up 15-minutes before your flight, valet park your car, walk into a private hanger, and hop on the flight....
I have been flying them since they started in Burbank (BUR - LAS), for $79 each way. As they grew their routes in California, and they became popular, sadly those $79 each way fares are now up to $300+. The number one reason they do do well in Burbank is the fact that you can pull up 15-minutes before your flight, valet park your car, walk into a private hanger, and hop on the flight. No lines to check in, no TSA, free baggage, WiFi, premium cocktails, wine & beer, and snacks on board. Fun & friendly flight attendants also help. They also land on the shorter non busy runway directly by the FBO at LAS. I have been on flights that are wheels up to wheels down in under 35 minutes on the BUR-LAS route.
But as fares increased significantly, additional charges for seat selection, and potential delays up to six hours in the event of a mechanical, they have lost a lot of my business. They have also had a lot of issues with the local FBO’s and have had to change locations on more than three occasions.
I could see this making sense from Westchester to Boca Raton or Naples more than competing with everything else at MIA
This route is very popular with Blade. They have a flight daily onboard their 16 passenger plane. Rates go from $990 to over $2000 one way per person. Though the seating for JSX is not as good as Blades, I think JSX flights will go great at their pricing.
I have not been on JSX yet, however, I did book a trip from Dallas to Austin in March just to try the service out. The fare was $129 and the only airline that was less expensive was Southwest and they were $105. When I checked AA they were over $300 one way.
Just checked it out, seems like it'd be neat to try out for a weekend trip, but their Texas connectivity is a little sad. You can't book through from Austin to Houston without buying a separate ticket, and San Antonio is left out.
For the price point (JSX is $139 for the outbound AUS/DAL later this afternoon), you really can't beat that price for a last-minute booking. Southwest is $177, and everybody else is over...
Just checked it out, seems like it'd be neat to try out for a weekend trip, but their Texas connectivity is a little sad. You can't book through from Austin to Houston without buying a separate ticket, and San Antonio is left out.
For the price point (JSX is $139 for the outbound AUS/DAL later this afternoon), you really can't beat that price for a last-minute booking. Southwest is $177, and everybody else is over $500. That's incredibly competitive for the Texas Triangle, if the connectivity were just slightly better.
I'm thinking I may give the airline a try one of these upcoming weekends.
My experience is from JetSmarter, which was 12-person "private charter" rather than 30.
I believe Ben and others are vastly underestimating the time savings here.
I would estimate, on average, the time from parking my car to wheels up on a shared JetSmarter flight was about 15 minutes.
For a commercial flight (I'm clear, pre-check, diamond, etc.) without checking bags - curb to wheels up - is probably more like 60 minutes...
My experience is from JetSmarter, which was 12-person "private charter" rather than 30.
I believe Ben and others are vastly underestimating the time savings here.
I would estimate, on average, the time from parking my car to wheels up on a shared JetSmarter flight was about 15 minutes.
For a commercial flight (I'm clear, pre-check, diamond, etc.) without checking bags - curb to wheels up - is probably more like 60 minutes or more. Security, wheel chair pre/board, multiple boarding groups, standing on the jet bridge, waiting for passengers to do stuff, crew counting people, long taxi times, etc. really add up.
Big negative seems to be if there is an irrop. And of course if JSX is inferior to JS in terms of number of people, parking, pets, etc.
I've flown JSX many times from PHX (all pre-covid).
The ground and inflight service are top notch.
The best part is showing up 15 minutes before departure, checking in (including checking a bag), visit the men's room then having a few minutes to spare in the gate area (which is more like a lounge area). Boarding usually starts about 5 minutes before departure.
Arrival is just as easy. Usually about a 5 minute...
I've flown JSX many times from PHX (all pre-covid).
The ground and inflight service are top notch.
The best part is showing up 15 minutes before departure, checking in (including checking a bag), visit the men's room then having a few minutes to spare in the gate area (which is more like a lounge area). Boarding usually starts about 5 minutes before departure.
Arrival is just as easy. Usually about a 5 minute wait for checked bags.
Rideshare is your best bet. They work with a rental car company (I think called "Go" ??) but see this as the biggest downside to flying JSX ... half the folks on your flight queue up asap.
IMHO, their biggest selling feature is also their biggest downfall. The private terminal.
It's away from all other airport amenities. If I need a car, I'm not going to rent from Go, I'll rent from National to keep my Executive status going. That means I need to get to the terminal or Rental Car Center.
Or, due to flight times, I leave PHX on JSX and arrive via 'standard' airline so on one end or another, I need a rideshare to fill the gap.
I think JSX should offer a shuttle to a central terminal stop.
I also don't like that most of their terminal locations don't offer parking. Those that do it will most likely be a valet type set-up, not parking at the private terminal.
As for security, I've heard they do send some type of a manifest to TSA (as I think all airlines do) for a preliminary scan. Security is typically a swab and is done at check-in.
For the western short hops, the fares I've seen have been in line with the major carriers. For this new service it seems they're going for a very specific clientele.
I love the flights to LAS for a quick trip. More often than not, my drink selection arrives with 2 minis. The private terminal is within walking distance (for me, but at 62 yeas age, I still love to walk) to the Tropicana/MGM/Excalibur/NYNY end of the strip.
Most of their planes have a 1x2 configuration, the same as what the majors had for the same plane (most of their planes are ex AA Eagle). The difference is in the pitch.
Your cabin pic above shows the 1x1 config. The aisle seat on the 2 seat side is a table instead. I believe these plans are mostly used on the intra-Texas flights. Perhaps they'll also service the east coast operation.
Almost all FBOs let you rent from any of the car companies, and will usually deliver the car for you. Is that not the case with JSX?
It seems to me like some of the responses on here are from commenters who may be associated with JSX.
I leave my house 75 minutes prior to my departure (from AUS), and I still usually have time to hit the AC. Most OMAAT readers have CLEAR and Precheck, so I just simply don't see how JSX could appeal to anyone who is an experienced traveler.
I would suggest timing the delta between walking in the airport door and your plane being in the air for both JSX and commercial.
I'm not a JSX fanboy, but my guess is the time savings is something like 30 minutes, and probably a less stressful experience for most (small parking lot, one flight leaving, no crowds, etc.)
I don't disagree with the 30 minute delta. Regarding a preference for a small parking lot, one flight, no crowds, it seems to me that it's directed more at those that aren't very experienced travelers: older folks and instagrammers come to mind. I wish JSX luck, but it just doesn't add up to me.
If my Reno - Burbank flight on them is any indication, being able to bring big dogs on board is definitely one of the not-loudly-published selling points.
Flown them a couple of times SNA to LAS. The benefits are time savings (literally can arrive a few minutes before the flight), the service on the ground (check in is personal, friendly, no wait), the service in the air because it's only 20-30 people on the aircraft (again v. personal and friendly).
Definitely a step up from flying regular commercial, and that is reflected in their prices. SNA to LAS is about $250 one way
May be their overpriced fares are due to having another spare aircraft to cover mechanical issues.
I have been flying JSX on the west coast for 5 years. By flying out of private terminals at smaller airports the time savings alone is over 3 hours and that’s for an hour flight to Southern California. Add free parking, no bag fees, snacks and drinks, boarding in 5 minutes then land and have your bag in your hand in 5 minutes and in an Uber and on your way….I’d be asking why anyone...
I have been flying JSX on the west coast for 5 years. By flying out of private terminals at smaller airports the time savings alone is over 3 hours and that’s for an hour flight to Southern California. Add free parking, no bag fees, snacks and drinks, boarding in 5 minutes then land and have your bag in your hand in 5 minutes and in an Uber and on your way….I’d be asking why anyone would fly anything else. It’s not private but it sure offers a lot of the convenience of flying private!
I don't know who first coined the "semi-private" marketing scheme, but I would give credit to NetJets for perfecting it, especially with the Westchester population who buy it hook, line, and sinker. I am not comparing NetJets to JSX, since your flight with NetJets can be truly private. I am just saying that phrase must be proven to work from a marketing perspective.
This comment doesn't make sense. What does NetJets have to do with semi-private? Netjets does not offer any type of service to fly with strangers. Maybe you are confused?
The convenience of departing from the general aviation terminal is probably the main thing you're gaining here. While the configuration is fairly comfortable, it's hardly class leading. And, a Westchester to MIA flight would be very LONG in such a small regional jet - even with larger seats and humane pitch. Seems to me like the JSX pitch is more compelling when you're talking about connecting more convenient suburban airports with more convenient city airports...
The convenience of departing from the general aviation terminal is probably the main thing you're gaining here. While the configuration is fairly comfortable, it's hardly class leading. And, a Westchester to MIA flight would be very LONG in such a small regional jet - even with larger seats and humane pitch. Seems to me like the JSX pitch is more compelling when you're talking about connecting more convenient suburban airports with more convenient city airports in pairs that are 90 minutes or less airtime apart. So, perhaps Westchester to Bedford, MA or Chicago Executive (Wheeling, IL) with any number of business friendly airports between MSP, BNA and DCA. To me, that's a better niche for these guys rather than competing with full sized jets on 3 hour routes.
Not to mention that if one of their flights goes mechanical, you're screwed. Sounds like I'm being nasty, but I am not. It's just true - their options are very limited when this happens and that's true on the West Coast. Almost certainly worse on the East Coast where their operations will be even more tiny.
There is “security” at JSX. Just not in the cattle TSA sense you experience at the airline terminal. Their website has more info on this.
Once you experience the time savings, it’s the closest you’ll ever get as a normal airline passenger to flying private. Of course you could fly “lie flat” first class on a 777 but why would you? In the time it took you to get in that seat you would have...
There is “security” at JSX. Just not in the cattle TSA sense you experience at the airline terminal. Their website has more info on this.
Once you experience the time savings, it’s the closest you’ll ever get as a normal airline passenger to flying private. Of course you could fly “lie flat” first class on a 777 but why would you? In the time it took you to get in that seat you would have already been on your way or already at the destination. That is the point of JSX.
They’re only trying to sell 300 seats A WEEK.
That’s tiny fraction of the NY-SoFL market.
If they can make money at a reasonable load factor (a big if!), that’s not many people they have to convince.
This is geared towards rich people which there are many in Manhattan and westchester flying down for the weekend and time is the biggest premium, I can imagine this cuts a significant amount of time given that you don’t whether a terminal or go they security. You also don’t have to deal with plebeians fighting on Florida flights
The NY-Miami market is huge, and attracts quite a few people who have more money than they know what do with, given some of the hotel / club / etc. costs in parts of the Miami area. So in theory, yes. In practice ... this seems like a huge price premium over what you would otherwise pay on this route, the schedule isn't really when most people want to fly, and I'm not sure if...
The NY-Miami market is huge, and attracts quite a few people who have more money than they know what do with, given some of the hotel / club / etc. costs in parts of the Miami area. So in theory, yes. In practice ... this seems like a huge price premium over what you would otherwise pay on this route, the schedule isn't really when most people want to fly, and I'm not sure if HPN is where people want to fly out of (though maybe it's appealing to more of the Bal Harbour crowd moreso than the South Beach crowd).
If they could fly it out of one of the main NYC airports and charge $500, though, I'd bet it would be a very popular flight (full of very drunk people).
In my completely unscientific personal observation, the Westchester/Fairfield clientele find the ease of getting into and out of HPN very appealing.
I'm a huge fan of JSX, although I probably wouldn't fly them on this route. If you're going from DTLA to downtown SF, flying from Burbank's GA terminal to the GA terminal at OAK saves an enormous amount of time over LAX to SFO. There's no reason for them to have food in the lounge--you can literally show up 15 min before departure with a checked bag and have time to spare. If you're showing...
I'm a huge fan of JSX, although I probably wouldn't fly them on this route. If you're going from DTLA to downtown SF, flying from Burbank's GA terminal to the GA terminal at OAK saves an enormous amount of time over LAX to SFO. There's no reason for them to have food in the lounge--you can literally show up 15 min before departure with a checked bag and have time to spare. If you're showing up early enough to want snacks...you're showing up WAY too early.
In flight, the experience is orders of magnitude better than what you'd get on a regional jet.
It's also not true that there's "no security." They do a wipe down for explosives. With TSA, it's the fact that you have to walk through a central security gate after dropping bags at another location, only to have to walk to the gate itself. So, JSX saves an enormous amount of time here too. And, let's not mention how much easier it is to Uber to/from the GA terminal than the commercial terminal. Parking at Burbank is also simple; you just drop the car with the valet and you're off.
I wouldn't pay $750 one way on this route from NY to MIA, but I would probably pay an extra $150-200 for the service on a route of that length.
If I were a person with means, and there are a lot of them in Westchester County, and I had a home in south Florida, also not all that rare, then I would likely try this service versus schlepping out to JFK or LGA to catch a mainline flight.
Per TPG review, they can run out of parking, have long check in lines due to multiple flights departing around the same time, no food in the departure lounge, wifi not available on every aircraft, some locations departure lounges are located in noisy open air hangers...At one time they had cheap flight on weekdays, this no longer seems to be the case...
The pricing seems off, but Westchester is a wealthy suburb of NY, and the only nonstop service to the MIA area is JetBlue to FLL. For a traveler who doesn't want to fly JetBlue or wants to fly into MIA, HPN-MIA does save a lot of time vs. driving to JFK and flying out of a normal TSA terminal. I could see AA entering this space if the numbers work, just to mess with JSX though. Will be interesting to see how pricing shakes out on this route.
There is no extra terminal capacity at HPN currently and with all the NIMBYism not likely to get any terminal expansion soon anytime soon