JSX, the general public constitution provider that offers vacationers a semi-private expertise, will debut its first-ever ATR turboprops on flights in California in November.
Alex Wilcox, CEO of JSX, confirmed at an occasion hosted by ATR in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday the launch particulars for its ATR-42-600s with out saying precisely the place within the Golden State the planes will fly. The planes will fly routes as much as round two hours in size and be fitted in an all-premium 30-seat format.
“It will likely be one other controversial one,” he stated of the brand new airport — or airports — the ATRs will serve. The controversy he referred to are lawsuits JSX confronted establishing and increasing operations in locations like John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California, and Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, New York.
As shut to personal because it will get: Flying JSX’s new path to LAX
JSX will ultimately fly the ATRs to Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) in Colorado and Truckee Tahoe Airport (TKF) in California — the latter has no industrial air service immediately — Wilcox added. He declined to supply extra particulars concerning the airline’s plans for both airport.
JSX is understood for nonstop flights from usually smaller, extra handy airports to well-liked locations — like Southern California to Las Vegas’ Harry Reid Worldwide Airport (LAS) — which can be a step above flying on commonplace industrial airline. Flights usually arrive and depart from non-public terminals with facilities commonplace in solely premium airline lounges, and vacationers have their selection of free premium snacks and drinks inflight.
The provider operates beneath a public constitution certification that enables it to function planes with as much as 30 seats at decrease prices than massive regional carriers, like Republic Airways and SkyWest Airways.
JSX counts JetBlue, Qatar Airways and United Airways amongst buyers, and has partnerships with JetBlue and United. The airline launched its personal loyalty program, Membership JSX, in July.
Presently, JSX flies an all-Embraer ERJ regional jet fleet.
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Behind the scenes: Touring JSX’s ultra-spacious 1-1-configured jet
ATR: ‘Half, half and double’
JSX’s new ATR-42s will open extra markets at decrease prices for the airline, stated Wilcox.
“From my perspective the airplane is half, half and double,” he stated, explaining that the ATR wants half the runway, burns half the gas and doubles the variety of airports JSX can serve in comparison with the airline’s Embraer jets. Alexis Vidal, chief industrial officer of ATR, stated Wednesday that the airplane maker’s turboprops are roughly 30% cheaper to function than 50-seat regional jets.
The query is: will U.S. vacationers fly on a turboprop as willingly as they do a regional jet?
Turboprops just like the ATR dominated U.S. regional fleets — suppose the American Eagles and Delta Connections of the world — till they ceded the market to quicker, bigger regional jets within the 2000s. “We have spoiled the general public with the regional jet and what it does,” Rick Leach, CEO of United Airways affiliate GoJet Airways, stated on Wednesday.
“Individuals nonetheless see a prop and go ‘oh, outdated expertise,'” he added, noting that fashionable turboprops are sometimes extra superior than regional jets.
Alaska Airways’ subsidiary Horizon Air was the final regional affiliate of a significant U.S. provider to fly a turboprop, the Bombardier Sprint 8-Q400. The airline retired its final Q400 in January 2023.
Requested whether or not JSX’s premium vacationers would fly on a turboprop, Wilcox joked, “I assume [you’ve] by no means been to St. Barts,” referring to Gustaf III Airport (SBH) on the luxury Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy, which is simply served by turboprops.
JSX’s ATR plans
JSX is taking a low-risk strategy to the ATR. The airline’s preliminary dedication is for simply two leased ATR-42s, beforehand flown by defunct Silver Airways, that can debut in November. It can add one other two leased planes to its fleet within the first quarter of 2026, Wilcox stated.
“We have to show that our clients will get on a turboprop airplane,” stated Wilcox. “For the explanations I already outlined — as a result of it may be a lot extra handy to them, as a result of the airports we’ll select for it are a lot nearer to the place they stay and the place they need to go — I am supremely assured it may occur however we nonetheless have to show it earlier than we will put actual cash behind it.”
If all goes as hoped, JSX may finalize the letter of intent for as much as 25 new ATRs that was unveiled in June, stated Wilcox. JSX may then unfold the turboprops out to its bases throughout the U.S. By its personal estimate, the turboprops allow air service to lots of of extra airports than it flies to immediately.
However, first, JSX must get previous the debut of the ATRs — and, as Wilcox stated, show their viability within the semi-private, point-to-point market the place the provider performs.
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