In June 2025, public charter air carrier JSX revealed plans to introduce turboprop service, with 30-seat all-business class aircraft. This is an interesting development for the carrier, and a logical evolution. There’s now an update, as these flights will be launching in the coming weeks, so we have more of a sense of what to expect.
JSX will fly at least four ATR 42-600 turboprops
For context, JSX is an air carrier that operates point-to-point flights within the United States with 30-seat regional jets. The carrier operates flights primarily out of private terminals, and markets a “business class” experience.
Many people claim the company offers a semi-private experience, though to me that’s an oxymoron. The company has a controversial business model, since it’s not a Part 121 operator, meaning the company can skirt many of the rules that apply to airlines. To JSX’s credit, it’s offering something unique in the market.
Up until now, JSX has operated its flights with Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 aircraft, though the company will soon be adding another aircraft to its fleet. JSX plans to begin operations with ATR turboprops in the near future. Specifically, the company will lease four ATR 42-600s, all of which will join the fleet in the coming months, and there are options for 25 more of these planes.
This partnership marks ATR’s entry into the United States’ public charter market, which the aircraft manufacturer thinks will pave the way for more opportunities.
JSX plans to start flying these planes as of December 19, 2025, between Santa Monica Airport (SMO) and Las Vegas (LAS). Expect there to initially be once daily flights, and fares start at just $149. This is a creative use for the plane, since Santa Monica’s runway is too short to accommodate Embraer jets.
So, what will the interiors of these planes look like? There will be 10 rows of seats, in a 1-2 configuration.
The window seats on the left side have a cocktail table of sorts next to them, so that’s definitely the place to sit, if you have the choice. This is a similar idea to what you’ll find on JSX’s Embraer aircraft. However, expect these seats to feel a bit tighter, since the Embraer planes have two seats per row, rather than three seats per row.
Sadly, at least for the initial batch of planes, the company isn’t going with the new ATR HighLine interior, which would be in a 1-1 configuration. If JSX does choose to exercise options for 25 of these planes, hopefully this interior is selected.
The JSX turboprops are also expected to get Starlink Wi-Fi, though only in early 2026. So don’t expect this to be available at launch. Here’s how JSX CEO Alex Wilcox describes acquiring turboprops:
“The ATR -600 series will bring over 1,000 new airports into reach for JSX, expanding access to reliable public charter flights across the great United States. Many of these airports were, until now, reserved only for those who had the means to fly private. I am confident that our Customers will love the ATR product, not just for the variety of new routes it allows JSX to operate, but also for its quiet cabin and comfortable seating. When paired with our award-winning JSX hospitality, the addition of the ATR marks an innovative step forward in our company’s unyielding mission to increase the safety, speed, and convenience of air travel that moves our country forward.”
This seems like a good fit for JSX’s business model
Broadly speaking, turboprops have been phased out in the United States over the years, so you don’t see many airlines operating them anymore. ATR has been heavily pitching its concept of an all-business class cabin, as a way of introducing a comfortable and economical plane for short, thin, and premium routes.
In that sense, JSX seems like the perfect company to operate this kind of concept. Sure, the turboprops won’t be as fast as JSX’s jets, but this opens up all kinds of shorter routes, where the economics could work out. JSX operates a fleet of nearly 50 jets, so I’m curious how many ATRs we could eventually see in JSX’s fleet, and if we do see those options exercised.
I have no clue of the economics here. JSX isn’t publicly traded, and JSX’s jets are an average of nearly 25 years old. So I imagine the operating economics on these ATRs will be good, but I also imagine that JSX’s acquisition costs on the Embraer jets are pretty low.
It’s not clear if these ATRs are brand new, or if they’re being acquired from elsewhere. Turboprop operator Silver Airways recently ceased operations, so could the planes be coming from there, with fresh cabins? I guess we’ll find out soon…
Bottom line
JSX plans to get into turboprop operations. In the coming weeks, the company will begin leasing four ATR 42-600s, with the potential for up to 25 more of these to join the fleet. The planes will feature 30 seats, spread across 10 rows, in a 1-2 configuration.
This seems like about as good of a use of the aircraft as you could expect in the United States, and I could see these operations expanding considerably over time. I just wish that JSX had chosen the more comfortable 1-1 layout, given what’s possible with the new ATR HighLine interior.
What do you make of JSX launching turboprop flights?
