The only way that I can think to start this JSX review is to say that it’s probably one of the most unique airline reviews that I’ve ever done.
Passengers can show up at the airport just 20 minutes prior to departure (they actually encourage it), and there are no security checks to board the plane.
As a guy who enjoys hanging out in major airports and flying on big airplanes, the JSX (JetSuite X) experience is pretty much the opposite of how I like to travel. I’m glad I tried it though, just to see what all the fuss was about.
XE621
San Diego, CA (SAN) – Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Aircraft: Embraer 135
Registration: N258JX
Duration: 46 minutes
Seat: 5A
The video about my JetSuiteX flight to Las Vegas
Getting the pictures that I need for my trip reports isn’t all that difficult. It’s the video footage which is more challenging. Basically, it’s hard not to feel exposed and vulnerable as I’m standing motionless (and mute) trying to grab a 15 second clip of something that normal people would never get video footage of (like a check-in desk).
Since JSX flies out of the smaller executive terminals at all of the airports they serve, the vibe was completely different from a normal air travel experience. I felt like I had to be on my best behavior, and holding my phone up to get video clips of everything felt awkward.
A full review of JSX Airlines (flight number 128 from San Diego to Las Vegas)
Unlike any other airline travel experience that I’ve ever had, JSX emailed me the day before departure informing me that it was OK to show up at the airport just 20 minutes prior to departure. That’s an email you’ll never get from Spirit Airlines!
However, since I’m the kind of guy who actually likes to show up three hours before any flight, I pushed the envelope and decided to be there 45 minutes for departure time. I don’t like being told how to travel, basically.
The boarding process for JSX flight number 621 to Las Vegas
The boarding process for this flight was easily the most casual (and exciting) boarding process I’ve ever experienced. There were absolutely no security checks at any point before walking out to the tarmac to board the plane. It was weird. But so very satisfying.
What are the seats like on JetSuiteX?
I’m not gonna lie. I was actually expecting the seats on this JSX aircraft to be a just a little nicer. Sure, they looked fine. However, they looked like pretty much any other premium seat you’d find on any other regional jet.
For those of you expecting plush fully-reclining business jet seats with acres of legroom, you’re going to be massively disappointed.
The departure out of San Diego
This was the first time that I’ve ever flown out of the Signature Flight Support Terminal at the San Diego Airport. It’s located very near to the threshold of runway 27, so it shouldn’t be surprising to know that the departure process was refreshingly quick and easy.
They basically started up the engines, turned us around, and then immediately took off.
What kind of food do they serve on JSX?
I say again. If you were expecting a fully-catered spread of gourmet food (like you might get on a chartered business jet), you’re going to be massively disappointed.
Is JSX a private jet?
It seems that many people have the misconception that flying on JetSuiteX is exactly like flying on a private jet. I’ll admit that I had this misconception as well, and I was surprised to see that it was just like any other airline that I’ve ever flown on.
The only difference was the preflight experience. Flying out of smaller executive terminals is extremely easy and convenient. Other than that, JSX is like pretty much any other airline IMHO.
The arrival into Las Vegas
Before booking this flight, I was thinking that a short 45 minute flight from San Diego to Las Vegas wouldn’t be enough time to get the full JSX experience. However, as we began the descent into Las Vegas, the lack of personalized service made it seem like it was the perfect amount of time to understand what they’re all about.
What is the JSX ground experience like at the Las Vegas Airport?
JSX operates out of a separate executive / private jet terminal at LAS (separate from the main terminal). Not only that, there was no place to park our aircraft near that terminal, so we had to take a shuttle bus to reach it.
Pros and cons of JetSuiteX
I’m just going to come right out and say it: JSX isn’t for everybody. Honestly, they’re a bit too niche for my more traditional travel style, and I don’t really see them fitting into any of my upcoming travel plans.
That’s not to say that they’re a bad airline. I quite enjoyed my experience, and I highly recommend them to anyone who likes the idea of a pseudo-private jet experience. Here’s a list of what was good and bad about JSX IMHO:
Pros
- Being able to show up at the airport 20 minutes before departure is game changing for travelers on a tight schedule.
- The smaller terminals that JSX flies out of are a quiet and refreshing change of pace from a normal airport terminal.
- There are no security checks to fly on JSX. Simply show up, check on at the front counter, and board the plane. It’s that easy.
- The smaller aircraft that JSX uses makes boarding and deplaning times quick and easy.
- JSX is a better option than Southwest Airlines Business Select (which is an option on the SAN-LAS route). You’ll get more legroom, free food, and a much better ground experience.
Cons
- Figuring out the logistics of ground transportation to and from the terminals that JSX uses can be a bit of a bother. For example, I needed to get a rental car after arriving in Las Vegas, and the only way to do that from the JSX terminal was to call an Uber (an additional cost out of my pocket).
- JSX aircraft interiors are not as plush as a business jet. It’s basically just like any other airline interior.
- Along the same lines, the seats aren’t any more comfortable than a domestic / business class seat on any other airline. JSX seats are standard airline seats with some fancy coverings. That’s it.
- If it wasn’t for the added legroom, it’s basically the same as flying on an American Eagle E145 (which sucks *** by the way).
- The interior of the aircraft that I was on was dirty. The menus were sticky, And the wood grain laminate on the tray table with chipping off. Hardly what I’d call a premium “private jet” experience.
- The lack of a robust flight schedule may be inconvenient for some travelers. JSX is going to have a hard time going up against other airlines who have the resources to offer multiple flights a day on competing routes.
Bruinsfan28
Hey, Scott, it’s me Bruinsfan28…been awhile since I last commented on one of your reviews, as I’ve been busy with other stuff (and that aviation channel, will be up and running soon.) I will say, that is a good review, but in my opinion, I feel like JSX sounds more like an airport than an airline haha, but that’s just me.
Scott (SANspotter)
Thanks for coming back! And yeah, I agree – how awesome would it be to fly JSX to JSX? lol
Bruinsfan28
Honestly, it sounds like a cool idea!
Dale
I have been flying JSX many times from Burbank to Las Vegas due to my family lives in Las Vegas. I have to say I disagree with your review. I like the convience of not using the big terminals in Burbank and Las Vegas and the amount of time I save. There was no stress in flying JSX which used to be called Jet Suite. There are also no middle seats on the plane to deal with. Every seat is comfortable and I dont need to be fed anything for such a short flight. They give you a softdrink/water/juice and chips. I found the seats super comfortable with lots of leg room. The time for me to get off the plane and have my bags and be in my Uber is ten minutes. You pay about 1.5 to twice the fee compared to Southwest and on sale dates the same price. Convience, comfort and less stress wins out everytime over price. Just my opinion.
Scott (SANspotter)
Yeah, I agree that JSX is a great option for anyone looking for a stress-free air travel experience. The only reason why I wasn’t so excited about it is because I’m weird and I actually like hanging out in large airport terminals.
David
Large airport terminals are so overrated. Look at what happened with TSA PreCheck, now it seems everyone has it and at a medium-sized airport like DAL, the PreChcck line can be longer than the regular line.
I don’t see how you can compare WN and JX. I worked for Southwest for 8 years and they are NOT forward-thinking with anything, and after the mess over the holidays they have proved they don’t have the technology to hold the operation together when problems arise. Southwest is perceived to be a lot of things it’s not, and they have rode this perception for a long time.
Kudos to JX for trying something new. A HUGE part of the travel experience is in wait-times, check-in, boarding, waiting for bags, ease into and out of the airports.
Scott (SANspotter)
I agree David! One of the things that has me the most curious about JSX is how long they can stay under the radar. Once everyone finds out about them (and how they simplify the air travel process), is it still going to be as good as it is now? Time will tell.
ANGELO
Well, we’re about to fly JSX for the first time this week. We have our fingers crossed. They cancelled our scheduled return flight and booked us allegedly automatically on another flight later in the day. The problem was the later flight used different equipment and their computer didn’t handle moving the seat assignments correctly. I ended up with no seat assignment while my wife retained hers. I called the customer service desk but it took two calls to find someone that could fix our problem, allegedly. Their web site still doesn’t recognize me as having an existing booking. Some serious deficiencies here. And, the rental car thing sucks. We have rented from their rental car company at an exorbitant rate just for the convenience of not getting an Uber to take us to a normal rent-a-car company. And the stick of dynamite thing you mentioned is also of some concern. But, damn the torpedoes (dynamite) and full speed ahead. They haven’t messed with our outbound flight…yet. We still have our fingers crossed.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hope it all works out for you Angelo! If it makes you feel any better, several people (including someone from JSX) have reached out to me and let me know that they would indeed know about anyone trying the “stick of dynamite” maneuver I hypothesized about in this review (lol). There are thorough security checks being done – but it’s all out of sight / behind the scenes.
Dennis
I read so many comments from people complaining about one thing or another. I can remember people used to dress up to fly and were actually civil to each other. Then deregulation happened because people who actually should never be in a plane but should be in a bus complained so much that the ere of cheap flights came on the scene. With cheap flights you get cheap service etc. If you want to be treated like a prince or princess then fly one of the legacy carriers in 1st class. The purpose of getting in an airplane is to get to your destination. One thing for sure the price you paid to ride economy on AA or UAL or DAL does not even come close to paying for the operation of the plane. Just sit down and shut up and arrive at your destination which is the purpose of flying
sam
The dynamite comment made me audibly laugh out loud. Thank you for the review!
Scott (SANspotter)
You are very welcome Sam! Hopefully I didn’t give anyone any ideas about what to do with excess dynamite before their next flight (lol).
Peter
Scott, Obviously you didn’t do your homework. Let me educate you. First there are security in place with JSX that you aren’t aware of as well as others. It starts when you book your ticket. You are checked on the “No Fly list” . You are video taped in the FBO, passengers actually walk thru a very advanced metal detection system without them even knowing it. If it’s tripped, your picture is also taken and security is alerted. There’s security in place against drugs and explosives as well, which I will not get into details on here for obvious reasons.
JSX is not meant to be like other airlines. Our flights are shorter, so there’s no need for PODs.
JSX was the first to install Space X Starlink. In fact we installed it on one of our aircraft that was pulled out of service to help with the FAA approval.
There’s no aircraft with real wood as it adds weight. So ours are Hydro Dipped and recently we have switched to a composite tray to avoid the chipping caused by passengers laptops and rough treatment.
Our aircraft are meticulous maintained. Compare our aircraft with other 50 pax or less aircrafts such as Sky West, Commute Air and such.
There’s much more you obviously missed, but I think I’ve made a good point.
I welcome you to contact our corporate office for a private tour of our facility and company.
Scott (SANspotter)
All good points Peter, and I appreciate the feedback. I do realize that my style of humor can come off as being derogatory (and/or overly critical), and certainly didn’t mean to cast JSX in a bad light. I very much enjoyed this experience!
Hopefully my next flight on JSX will come sooner rather than later. And I appreciate the offer for the private tour/closer look. Hope to connect soon!
Deborah StreskeLayman
I’m curious as to the cost?
Scott (SANspotter)
Total cost of this ticket was $119. A killer value IMHO.
B. George
Great review! I use to work on modding the interiors of the E135/E145 aircraft for Jetsuite’s fleet. I installed outlets, LED lights and reconfigured the wiring in a good amount of the JSX aircraft. The seats have changed now, with Jetsuite opting for two single-seat rows, just with the right side now having a combo baggage compartment / cup holder next to the seat. For some reason I always wanted to experience being a passenger on one of the aircraft I worked on even though I know how the interior is haha. I no longer work on modding the JSX aircraft since I left the company that performed it.
Scott (SANspotter)
Sounds like a pretty cool experience – JSX is a very well liked airline, so you should be proud knowing that the work that you did is being enjoyed by so many. You definitely need to try it from the perspective of a passenger!