For regulatory purposes, JSX is setup as
public charter operator and does not directly operate aircraft. JSX charters a 30-seat Embraer regional jet operated by its subsidiary Delux Public Charter (as JSX Air) and then resells seats on that aircraft to the public. Because charter operators have lower
TSA screening requirements for passengers, the arrangement allows JSX to utilize
fixed-based operator terminals, offering a more
private jet-like experience for their customers.[5][6][7]
JSX operates
Embraer ERJ 135 and
ERJ 145 aircraft, each retrofitted with 30 seats, removed overhead bins, and in-row power.
History
The airline was originally founded as JetSuiteX in April 2016. According to
chief executive officer (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.[8][9] Wilcox attributes these phenomena in part to long wait times in airports.[8][10][9]
The company started operations on April 19, 2016, with its first flight between
Burbank and
Concord, both in California.[11]
On August 8, 2019, JetSuiteX re-branded to JSX.[2]
In September 2020, Orange County Board of Supervisors notified JSX that the airline would be barred from operating flights to
John Wayne Airport in
Orange County, California, starting January 1, 2021.[12][13] Wilcox publicly addressed the situation through emails and social media, and a customer outreach program invited fliers to voice support for the carrier to continue its flights to Orange County.[13] On December 14, 2020, JSX filed a
lawsuit against the airport, stating that it has “refused to offer any accommodations” to the carrier and that the airport “discriminatorily chose" the termination "in favor of two large airlines [
Allegiant and
Spirit Airlines]." The first of the two operates the same routes from the airport as JSX.[14] On December 23, 2020, the airline was granted a
temporary restraining order against the airport, preventing 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 continues to operate from the airport.
JSX flights depart from private jet terminals separate from the passenger terminals used by Part 121 and some Part 135 airlines, commonly referred to as FBOs.[31] In most locations, the facility is operated by JSX, while in some, JSX utilizes existing facilities managed by other companies.[32] JSX utilizes the TSA
Secure Flight program and additional passive security measures, including explosive and weapons detection.[33]