JSX (airline)

A Delux Public Charter Embraer ERJ-135 at the 2016 Farnborough Airshow, operating for JetSuiteX in the old livery

The airline was originally founded as JetSuiteX in April 2016. According to CEO Alex Wilcox, the air carrier was created in response to declining short-haul traffic and the rise in fares on short-haul flights in the United States.[5][6] Wilcox attributes these phenomena in part to long wait times in airports.[5][7] JSX targets time-sensitive travelers who seek an experience better than that of traditional low-cost flights but not as expensive as private jet travel.[6]

The company started operations on April 19, 2016, with its first flight between Burbank and Concord in California.[8]

On August 8, 2019, JetSuiteX was re-branded as JSX.[2]

On April 15, 2020, JetSuite, JSX's sister company, ceased flight operations; the carrier had experienced a sudden 90% drop in business, which Wilcox attributed to widespread stay-at-home orders stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 28, 2020, JetSuite's parent company Superior Air Charter LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In September 2020, the company closed the Chapter 11 filing and retired the name JetSuite. Flying commenced in November 2020 as Superior Air Charter, operating 4 Phenom 100 aircraft. JSX is said to continue with a limited scheduled flights in Western U.S.[9][10]

In September 2020, JSX has been notified from the Orange County Board of Supervisors that the airline will be terminated from flights to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, starting January 1, 2021.[11][12] Alex Wilcox, the airline's CEO, has publicly addressed the situation through emails and social media, and pleaded with customers for support for the airline to continue its flights to Orange County.[12] The reason is unknown, but is likely due the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, causing travel restrictions and a decrease in passenger totals; this allowed new slots for normally restricted airlines such as Spirit Airlines.[11] It first began flights to SNA since June 2018.[13] On December 14, 2020, the airline has filed a lawsuit against the airport, stating that it has “refused to offer any accommodations” to the airline, and that the airport “discriminatorily chose" the termination "in favor of two large airlines [Spirit and Allegiant Airlines]...” which the former operates the same routes as JSX.[14] More than a week later on December 23, the airline was granted a temporary restraining order against SNA, preventing the airport officials from terminating the airline's operations on the planned date of January 1, 2021. A spokeswoman told a news outlet that the airport will comply with the order.[15]

JSX Air is a subsidiary of JetSuiteX, Inc, with headquarters in Dallas, Texas. JetBlue and Qatar Airways are minority shareholders in JSX.[16][17] Its CEO is Alex Wilcox, who was a founding executive of both JetBlue and Kingfisher Airlines.[8]

JSX serves or has previously served the following destinations in the United States as of January 2021:[3]

A Delux Public Charter Embraer ERJ-135 operating for JSX

The JSX fleet comprises the following aircraft:

Cabin of a JSX Embraer ERJ-135, operated by Delux Public Charter

JSX flights depart from private jet terminals, separate from the passenger terminals used by Part 121 and some Part 135 airlines.[20] In some locations the lounge facility is operated by JSX, while in others JSX utilizes FBOs that may or may not provide dedicated space for JSX customers. Complimentary coffee and WiFi are provided to all customers in each of their airport locations.[21] JSX customers are not subject to physical screening by the TSA, but customers are vetted by the TSA Secure Flight program and are subject to additional passive security measures including explosive and weapons detection.[22]

JSX's aircraft are configured with seats offering 36 inches (91 cm) of pitch and provide in-seat power, while cabin space is increased by removing overhead compartments. Refreshments and alcoholic beverages are offered complimentary during flight.[23]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to JetSuiteX.

• Official website