In June 2025, public charter air carrier JSX revealed plans to introduce turboprop service, with 30-seat all-business class aircraft. This is an interesting development for the carrier, and a logical evolution. There’s now an update, as these flights will be launching in the coming weeks, so we have more of a sense of what to expect.
In this post:
JSX will fly at least four ATR 42-600 turboprops
For context, JSX is an air carrier that operates point-to-point flights within the United States with 30-seat regional jets. The carrier operates flights primarily out of private terminals, and markets a “business class” experience.
Many people claim the company offers a semi-private experience, though to me that’s an oxymoron. The company has a controversial business model, since it’s not a Part 121 operator, meaning the company can skirt many of the rules that apply to airlines. To JSX’s credit, it’s offering something unique in the market.
Up until now, JSX has operated its flights with Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 aircraft, though the company will soon be adding another aircraft to its fleet. JSX plans to begin operations with ATR turboprops in the near future. Specifically, the company will lease four ATR 42-600s, all of which will join the fleet in the coming months, and there are options for 25 more of these planes.
This partnership marks ATR’s entry into the United States’ public charter market, which the aircraft manufacturer thinks will pave the way for more opportunities.
JSX plans to start flying these planes as of December 19, 2025, between Santa Monica Airport (SMO) and Las Vegas (LAS). Expect there to initially be once daily flights, and fares start at just $149. This is a creative use for the plane, since Santa Monica’s runway is too short to accommodate Embraer jets.
So, what will the interiors of these planes look like? There will be 10 rows of seats, in a 1-2 configuration.
The window seats on the left side have a cocktail table of sorts next to them, so that’s definitely the place to sit, if you have the choice. This is a similar idea to what you’ll find on JSX’s Embraer aircraft. However, expect these seats to feel a bit tighter, since the Embraer planes have two seats per row, rather than three seats per row.
Sadly, at least for the initial batch of planes, the company isn’t going with the new ATR HighLine interior, which would be in a 1-1 configuration. If JSX does choose to exercise options for 25 of these planes, hopefully this interior is selected.
The JSX turboprops are also expected to get Starlink Wi-Fi, though only in early 2026. So don’t expect this to be available at launch. Here’s how JSX CEO Alex Wilcox describes acquiring turboprops:
“The ATR -600 series will bring over 1,000 new airports into reach for JSX, expanding access to reliable public charter flights across the great United States. Many of these airports were, until now, reserved only for those who had the means to fly private. I am confident that our Customers will love the ATR product, not just for the variety of new routes it allows JSX to operate, but also for its quiet cabin and comfortable seating. When paired with our award-winning JSX hospitality, the addition of the ATR marks an innovative step forward in our company’s unyielding mission to increase the safety, speed, and convenience of air travel that moves our country forward.”
This seems like a good fit for JSX’s business model
Broadly speaking, turboprops have been phased out in the United States over the years, so you don’t see many airlines operating them anymore. ATR has been heavily pitching its concept of an all-business class cabin, as a way of introducing a comfortable and economical plane for short, thin, and premium routes.
In that sense, JSX seems like the perfect company to operate this kind of concept. Sure, the turboprops won’t be as fast as JSX’s jets, but this opens up all kinds of shorter routes, where the economics could work out. JSX operates a fleet of nearly 50 jets, so I’m curious how many ATRs we could eventually see in JSX’s fleet, and if we do see those options exercised.
I have no clue of the economics here. JSX isn’t publicly traded, and JSX’s jets are an average of nearly 25 years old. So I imagine the operating economics on these ATRs will be good, but I also imagine that JSX’s acquisition costs on the Embraer jets are pretty low.
It’s not clear if these ATRs are brand new, or if they’re being acquired from elsewhere. Turboprop operator Silver Airways recently ceased operations, so could the planes be coming from there, with fresh cabins? I guess we’ll find out soon…
Bottom line
JSX plans to get into turboprop operations. In the coming weeks, the company will begin leasing four ATR 42-600s, with the potential for up to 25 more of these to join the fleet. The planes will feature 30 seats, spread across 10 rows, in a 1-2 configuration.
This seems like about as good of a use of the aircraft as you could expect in the United States, and I could see these operations expanding considerably over time. I just wish that JSX had chosen the more comfortable 1-1 layout, given what’s possible with the new ATR HighLine interior.
What do you make of JSX launching turboprop flights?
Socal has service to LAS from five different airports already, it’s hard to understand why they would need service from a sixth one, especially for just 30 people a day. Even if they ramp up service the city and the FAA have an agreement to close the airport in 2028. An assortment of GA lobby groups are trying to keep the airport open, but, ironically, JSX operating there will have the opposite effect as it...
Socal has service to LAS from five different airports already, it’s hard to understand why they would need service from a sixth one, especially for just 30 people a day. Even if they ramp up service the city and the FAA have an agreement to close the airport in 2028. An assortment of GA lobby groups are trying to keep the airport open, but, ironically, JSX operating there will have the opposite effect as it will hardened the position of those that want to permanently close the airport.
I'm always surprised JSX doesn't serve BFI.
There used to be a market for flights between suburban NJ and suburban Boston, avoiding the big airports. I wonder if they'll bring that back
I vaguely recall Bedford-Trenton service about 15-20 years ago.
A clarification to the Embraer seating configuration...
ERJ-135 has the typical 1-2 seating (tho greater pitch than standard)
ERJ-145 is the only type with 1-1 seating (the "aisle" on the 2 seat side is actually a cocktail table)
Bith types (and the ATR) seat 30 passengers, to meet "public charter" regulations. Fot the ERJ-135 (their original acft type) seating was reduced to 30 by increasing the pitch. When started getting the ERJ-145, rather...
A clarification to the Embraer seating configuration...
ERJ-135 has the typical 1-2 seating (tho greater pitch than standard)
ERJ-145 is the only type with 1-1 seating (the "aisle" on the 2 seat side is actually a cocktail table)
Bith types (and the ATR) seat 30 passengers, to meet "public charter" regulations. Fot the ERJ-135 (their original acft type) seating was reduced to 30 by increasing the pitch. When started getting the ERJ-145, rather than increasing the pitch even more, they went with the cocktail table idea to keep the capicity down.
@Ben - The layout they selected is not surprising vs the 1 on 1 configuration. They can monetize the side table area and sale it at a full seat price for a traveling pet. We fly JSX regularly with our 40lb Goldendoodle (pet not service animal) and pay for a seat and we are not the only ones. She regularly sits in that side area.
Part of me would love to see them go even smaller -let410. I've had the pleasure of flying on them and they are great for tiny mountain runways.
One notes that the website resident proletariat trolls dislike this innovation. While real U.S. discerning travellers will, in all probability, find the service most valuable. If successful, this endeavour might well put a much deserved rocket up the backside of the other U.S. airlines.
I agree with you on this. The target audience is also definitely not most of the readers here. As much as some people like lining up in the chute to fight for a seat on Southwest, many don't.
Most private travel isn't on a Gulfstream. It's a Citation or a Lear or a King Air. I've done all of the above and it's not a spacious experience. You're hesitate to eat or drink anything...
I agree with you on this. The target audience is also definitely not most of the readers here. As much as some people like lining up in the chute to fight for a seat on Southwest, many don't.
Most private travel isn't on a Gulfstream. It's a Citation or a Lear or a King Air. I've done all of the above and it's not a spacious experience. You're hesitate to eat or drink anything much as while there is technically a toilet (I won't even say lavatory, there's a toilet), it's better for everybody if nobody uses it (it's basically a bucket with some chemicals in it under a seat). This ATR into more close in airports without the "be there 90 minutes early" stuff, with a free drink on the way, is better than regular airline for many, and also takes the place of some who are flying a small jet or a King Air chartered into somewhere.
Those who have a Gulfstream at their ready disposal capable of going where they need to go aren't the market. JSX knows that.
NedsKid, thank you for your ‘toilet’ talk, you did make me laugh.
One has to wholeheartedly agree with your rendition of the ‘executive’ toilet. Being just over 6’2”, I have yet to sample a useable convenience on a PJ. Sitting down like a girlie is simply not cricket. Mind you, even Concorde reminded me that those who think that a pee is a vegetable are liars. I can confirm that after arriving in both Dakar and Paris, it was most definitely a relief!
I wonder what JSX has in mind for when the ERJs get up to retirement time with Embraer not making a smaller jet anymore. It’s not like JSX is turning and burning these jets like a regional carrier, but the remaining ones in US regional service are presumably very high-cycle and wouldn’t be all that attractive to acquire. Glad to see the ATRs coming online but they won’t be competitive for their longer routes.
For a segment that's 60-90 minutes, it's perfect. Flying time difference is negligible. But I agree - not a replacement for the ERJ.
The value in the ATR in the JSX use is the short routes into airports either not accessible by jet or in that range where the flight time difference is only a few minutes. Add the being to the airport 20 minutes before departure and arriving where you can be from...
For a segment that's 60-90 minutes, it's perfect. Flying time difference is negligible. But I agree - not a replacement for the ERJ.
The value in the ATR in the JSX use is the short routes into airports either not accessible by jet or in that range where the flight time difference is only a few minutes. Add the being to the airport 20 minutes before departure and arriving where you can be from airplane seat to sitting in a car within 3-5 minutes, it makes it very competitive to other modes.
Not a ton of west coast comparisons to different modes of transportation in competition (I mean, there's the train between some places... but a friend of mine just had a fun Amtrak experience that involved it taking 5 hours to go San Diego to Los Angeles thanks to obstacles on the track and a breakdown). But people like to compare the Washington to New York travel times between flight and Amtrak... if you took airport dwell time down to 20 minutes on the front and 5 on the back, and put the airport on one end of the equation 50% closer to city center than it is today, I think that's a pretty good comparison to what JSX is doing, and air starts coming out ahead.
Yes, the first aircraft is N408SV from Silver Airways (publicly available JSX fleet list confirms).
Getting the aircraft onto the operating certificate which is a very involved process is the highest priority now, so that when the new deliveries with the HighLine interior come, they can go right into service (aside from interior certification). Similar interior to current Embraers helps them get the big hurdles passed. Getting a plane on property and flying is...
Yes, the first aircraft is N408SV from Silver Airways (publicly available JSX fleet list confirms).
Getting the aircraft onto the operating certificate which is a very involved process is the highest priority now, so that when the new deliveries with the HighLine interior come, they can go right into service (aside from interior certification). Similar interior to current Embraers helps them get the big hurdles passed. Getting a plane on property and flying is needed.
Not accurate info.
@Icarus I’ve also read what @NedsKid posted elsewhere, rather than saying “not accurate” would you care to offer a correction or provide a source to to such data?
Yes, I'd be curious.
There are photos of the aircraft in JSX paint flying with N408SV sticker over whatever it will be reregistered to.
The only benefit of this kind of flight (aside from whether that route is served at all) is that you don't have to go through security, right? There's nothing "private" or otherwise appealing about it.
The plan is to use these primarily into airports where they cannot operate with the current aircraft. Hard to reach places, such as Telluride. As they grow, then they will start operating more "normal" short routes, such as NY to ACK.
This has CLT - PDK written all over it
With a 72.1% load factor to breakeven I think not!
Totally agreed, not commercially viable.
Totally fake Eskimo, not commercially viable.
This will not work. They are going to need an avergae 87.6% load factor just to breakeven on cost on any route over approximately 450 miles. Doesn't work!
I wish JSX took more of an interest in the Northeast.
I also wish that the major airlines, instead of trying to get rid of JSX, would develop their own subsidiaries with similar services.
Apart from that, perhaps this will save Santa Monica Airport from its planned closure
No it won't. It's closing in 3 years under the FAA-city of Santa Monica agreement.
https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2025/09/26/city-reaffirms-santa-monica-airport-closure-at-end-of-2028-as-jsx-lease-considered
You must write a review and include airport photos!!! Do it now! This almost ranks up there with Air Belgium!
If you can't, try to get Matthew of LALF to do a review.
Interesting news. However, I read recently that Santa Monica Airport will be closing in 2028, according to KTTV.
There are Hawthorne and Van Nuys.
You read wrong. Santa Monica Airport undergoing an EXPANSION beginning in 2028. Upon completion in 2031, the size of the Terminal will have increased by ~400% and will have capacity that will rival Atlanta. In fact, according to an IATA study from last year (IATA Study on Southwestern United States Airport Capacities), Santa Monica will have the capacity to become the busiest Airport in the world!
Trolling spastores2 now Eskimo …. a poor show old sock …. tut, tut …. :-)
@Eskimo Dude, what is wrong with you? Why even post this? For those who are wondering, yes, Santa Monica airport is slated to close at the end of 2028, with the JSX contract ending in November 2028: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2025/09/26/city-reaffirms-santa-monica-airport-closure-at-end-of-2028-as-jsx-lease-considered
QUIET!
These would be great between DC and NYC.
I believe DCA flights must undergo TSA screening, even for private flights.