I flew JetSuiteX, now known as JSX, home from Las Vegas to Burbank, which turned out to be a pleasant onboard experience, though not without some disappointment on the ground.
My First JSX Flight Experience: Premium Perks In The Air, Frustrations On The Ground
JSX offers a semi-private service using a fleet of ERJ-135/145 jets with 30 seats onboard, offering scheduled “charter” service between several cities (yes, I note the oxymoron).
While most US carriers operate under 14 CFR Part 121 (a classification for regularly-scheduled air carriers), JSX operates under 14 CFR Part 135 (a classification primarily for commuter and on-demand operations).
This is what allows JSX to offer a quasi-private jet experience and use pilots older than 65 (who still must pass the same rigorous health requirements as their younger counterparts) or have flown less than 1,500 hours.
I’ve written in detail about this issue here.
If you book in advance or happen to find a flight with open seats, JSX costs about the same as a ticket on a commercial operator. My ticket was only $27 more than my outbound on Southwest.
My meeting concluded early and I showed up at the hangar (JSX utilizes a private terminal for its operations at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas) on 5616-A Haven Street at 12:15 pm. I was hoping to standby for the 1:00 pm flight, but because I was booked at 4:00 pm and there was a 3:45 pm flight, I was told I could only standby for the next earlier flight…strike one.
I asked about paying a change fee and was told it was not possible…
So instead of being able to wait out my layover in the posh Capital One Lounge, I instead waited it out in the JSX terminal. It was nice enough…it reminded me of a typical FBO terminal you might encounter when flying private. There was a coffee machine, packaged snacks, and drinks…but nothing else.
Thankfully, I sat down and had a remarkably productive three hours of work…
But about 30 minutes prior to my 4:00 pm scheduled departure, JSX announced my flight was delayed….by 15 minutes. The 3:45 pm flight to Burbank was still showing on-time, but that turned out to be delayed too almost as long as my flight. Communication was poor.
Boarding is called from a single gate. The gate agent announced the flight is ready for boarding, everyone lines up, then everyone goes through a modified security check. Carry-on bags are x-rayed, but you walk through what appears like those metal detectors in hospitals or museums, not the standard airport metal detectors.
At this point, I was regretting not flying home on Southwest Airlines…with its more frequent schedule, I would have been home already.
But the experience got better.
Whitely, the flight attendant onboard, warmly greeted me as I boarded and I surveyed the 1-1 seating configuration onboard. JSX removed the second seat in the standard E135/145 1-2 configuration and made it a side table.
The cabin has no overhead bins to give it a more spacious feel, but seats have been spaced out such that there is more room for carry-on bags underneath seats.
We took off and were soon in the air. After a very bumpy ascent, we hit smooth air and Whitley sprang into service, offering everyone a beverage and snack.
I double-dipped with both a Spritz Del Conte (an Italian aperitif-style spritz cocktail…i.e. a knock-off Aperol Spritz) and a Dripdash Kyoto-style iced coffee. Whitely also encouraged me to try all the snacks…almonds, potato chips, olives, and cookies.
I like the snack and drink selection onboard and appreciated the warm and gracious service. Furthermore, the Starlink internet worked like a charm…I loved how easy it was to connect and how the service functioned seamlessly gate-to-gate.
We landed in Burbank just a few minutes after the 3:45 pm departure arrived, meaning we had to sit for 10 minutes waiting for that flight to unload before we could.
The Burbank Terminal operation is similar…I like how passengers were invited to stay and in the lounge while waiting for their ride. I had parked my car on Empire Avenue and just had a short walk to my car (valet service is also offered at $50/day).
In short, a great experience on the air and a below-average experience on the ground. I did enjoy it and would try it again, especially at the price point. However, I think JSX needs to be more flexible with standbys.
Have you flown JSX? What was your experience like?
You should watch the most recent season of “The Rehearsal”. On MAX. Re pilots
Is the Burank Lounge that open to the jet parking?
Yes
Is there a jet fuel smell at all? How pleasant would that be if it is really hot out?
My experience is that their on time departures must be very low. At least 50% or so. I still fly them given CLD.
The free-standby-on-any-fare thing is pretty much exclusive to US airlines (not sure about Canadian ones, I ve never been to Canada and have only flown AC on fifth freedom legs) and means leaving money on the table by not selling flexible fares to business travellers. That’s presumably part of the reason for JSX being able to offer such low fares in the first place.
I find it interesting that they use plastic cups, surely it can’t possibly cost that much extra to use glass glasses?
I have heard this is the preferred airline of those looking to join the mile high club on a budget and they look the other way at restroom usage.
lol, that lavatory is so small about the only thing you could do would be cowgirl.
Is this the FBO lounge that looks like a school cafeteria? Or worse? The FBO at my regional has fresh flowers, a welcome water bar, butter soft Italian leather sofas, gift store and a whole more in an inviting lobby. I would be disappointed.
Oh good, they kept the uncomfortable seats and added a giant table that I’m guessing…you didn’t use??
3 hours wouldn’t have bothered me I’d hop over to the Airplane Shop and look at all of the airplane models lol
It looks fun, and I’d like to try it, but I hate calling it “semi-private.” It’s scheduled, subject to ATC delays, and you share the space with 29 other pax. Nothing about that is private. Cessna 208 operate flights for network carriers all over the world with way less than 30 pax and nobody calls them private.
Just flew them today LAX- LAS. It was ok the product I was on was 1-2 configuration and felt like extra legroom economy seats. Wife preferred commercial service so I guess this will be the first and last time I fly the family with JSX. I booked them originally because it was cheaper than DL Y. No power outlets but starlink was great. Did get a double bourbon and a snack so same as the AA F service I had the other night. Interesting experience but don’t know if I would go out of my way to fly them again.
I have flown JSX from White Plains to Naples, which I believe is a seasonal service for them. My experience was top notch from end-to-end, both outbound and return.
Having flown commercial, worldwide, out of the various NYC airports for the past 40 years, I have to say that this experience was outstanding.
And just as info, the lounges at both White Plains and Naples were much nicer than what you show in your article. Maybe Burbank needs to up its game?
Flew OAK-LAS with family. Our one month old granddaughter had her first flight. No issues with it. Arrived on time (8PM)and got an Uber and to hotel checkin and dinner aat Mr Chans by 9PM. On return there was an hur delay so we were given a $100 credit for our next trip.