Flying On JSX Is A Joyful, Simple Experience

If you’re like me, the thought of flying commercial nowadays almost makes me physically ill. I hate just the thought of being crammed into a tiny seat, where I’m stuck for hours, while contemplating the new trend in air travel: The rage of fellow passengers, who tend to leave their decorum at home.

What if I told you there is a new, simple, and wonderful solution to all this mess?

It can be found at JSX – a six-year-old airline, primarily on the West Coast, whose name is an acronym for Joyful, Simple, Experience. “And that is pretty much the opposite of air travel today,” CEO Alex Wilcox told me in a phone interview.

This year the airline received an award as the “the world’s only 2022 Five-Star Regional Airline” for the second consecutive year in a row, from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). The Airline Passenger Experience Association is a network of the world’s leading airlines, suppliers and related companies committed to elevating the level of the airline passenger experience.

This hop-on jet service is the first of its kind.

Indeed, everything about this award-winning airline is designed to take the “travail” out of travel, and make you feel like you’re on vacation – or simply having fun – from the moment you arrive at the gate – which is in a private terminal.

“We don’t charge extra for cocktails, skis, surfboards, golf bags, snowboards, snacks, and there’s no charge for two checked bags,” Mr. Wilcox told me. Also pet-friendly, JSX allows you to place your dog or cat in a pet carrier underneath the seat – or, without the carrier, when you purchase a separate ticket for Fido or Fluffy. “You pay whatever the cost of the fare is,” he added.

Rates start at about $249 for one-way between, say, Burbank to Las Vegas, or Dallas to Houston.

I learned about JSX when I conducted a Forbes.com interview with Hollywood actor John O’Hurley, best known for playing the eccentric character of Peterman on the TV hit show, “Seinfeld.”

One thing Mr. O’Hurley loves about JSX – and what you, too, will also appreciate, is that you can arrive at the gate just 20 minutes before the flight and board the plane. “Just show up at least 20 minutes beforehand,” says Mr. Wilcox, “And you can get on the plane without breaking a sweat.” Indeed, the elderly, especially, love flying JSX, he says, because it takes all the regular intimidation – which you find at the airport – out of the equation. “People tell me all the time, ‘My parents are flying again.’”

Another plus — “There are only 30 seats on the plane, no overhead bins, and you get great service from flight attendants who want to serve you. And your bag, when you disembark, is waiting right next to the wing. I think this is what the Wright Brothers had in mind. Instead, air travel today is like being on a bus. There is nothing pleasant about it anymore. It pained me. And from our first day of business, we were a hit,” he added.

There’s also plenty of security. There are no long check-in lines, and fast, effortless, friction-less TSA-accepted security.

And the leather seats offer business-class legroom, and power outlets in every row.

On the East Coast, JSX flies only from Westchester, NY, to Miami, Fla., but will soon be expanding its service. “We buy two planes every single month,” Mr. Wilcox added.

JSX also – and this is impressive – is the only carrier to be Autism Double-Checked certified. Everyone from the pilots to flight attendants and customer-service agents undergo training so that they are better able to assist passengers with autism. Among other things, JSX’s guide alerts passengers to issues of safety, crowds, waiting, noise, body awareness, heat or cold, and much more, which they may experience in various flights. Mr. Wilcox also added that JSX “has the highest proportion of female and non-white pilots in the industry.” The airline has also forged strategic partnerships with various historically black-attended colleges and universities, to create internships and job opportunities for students not normally exposed to career paths in aviation.

So what are you waiting for? I know it’s hard to believe in this day and age, but on JSX an elegant airline experience awaits you.

Fore more about my Wanderlust travels, please Follow me on Instagram at @DebbiKickham.