JSX promises a semi-private flying experience at commercial prices, and I put it to the test on a quick hop from Las Vegas to Burbank.

JSX E145 Review (LAS-BUR)

I already offered my first impressions of this flight but will offer more details in this full review.

> Read More: Flying JSX For The First Time Was A Mixed Bag Of Luxury And Letdown

JSX offers a semi-private service using a fleet of ERJ-135/145 jets with 30 seats onboard, offering scheduled “charter” service between several cities (yes, I note the oxymoron).

While most US carriers operate under 14 CFR Part 121 (a classification for regularly-scheduled air carriers), JSX operates under 14 CFR Part 135 (a classification primarily for commuter and on-demand operations).

This is what allows JSX to offer a quasi-private jet experience and use pilots older than 65 (who still must pass the same rigorous health requirements as their younger counterparts) or have flown less than 1,500 hours.

I’ve written in detail about this issue here.

Booking a week before travel, the price of JSX was not all that different than Southwest Airlines, which also offers nonstop service between Las Vegas and Burbank (Spirit Airlines was significantly cheaper, but the timings did not work). Initially, I booked directly with JSX. But shortly after booking, I noticed United Airlines was selling the same flight for the same price, so I cancelled the JSX booking and booked with United, in hopes of the miles for my flight crediting more easily (and by my calculation, quite a few more miles than by booking with JSX).

Ultimately, I only received 112 miles (I still have to follow up with United…):

I could have paid extra for a seat assignment, but saw no need to do so…I don’t think there’s a bad seat onboard.

The JSX Terminal in Las Vegas is super convenient…just across the street from the Mandalay Bay (5616-A Haven Street).

Inside, there’s a lounge/waiting area divided into several rooms and a flight check-in counter. You need only check in 20 minutes before your flight. Boarding passes are printed on thermal paper, like receipts (versus electronic boarding passes). The terminal was nice enough…it reminded me of a typical FBO terminal you might encounter when flying private. There was a coffee machine, packaged snacks, and drinks.

Restrooms were clean (no showers):

About 30 minutes prior to my 4:00 pm scheduled departure, JSX announced my flight was delayed….by 15 minutes. The 3:45 pm flight to Burbank was still showing on-time, but that turned out to be delayed too almost as long as my flight.

Boarding was called at 4:00 pm. The gate agent announced the flight was ready for boarding, everyone lined up, then everyone went through a modified security check. Carry-on bags were x-rayed, but you walk through what appears like those metal detectors in hospitals or museums, not the standard airport metal detectors.

From there, you enter a holding pen… after everyone is screened, the gate is opened and passengers are escorted to the aircraft.

JSX (XE) 121
Las Vegas (LAS) – Burbank (BUR)
Monday, July 28
Depart: 4:00 PM
Arrive: 5:10 PM
Duration: 1hr, 10min
Distance: 223 miles
Aircraft: Embraer 145
Seat: 12A (single-cabin)

Whitely, the flight attendant onboard, warmly greeted me as I boarded and I surveyed the 1-1 seating configuration onboard. JSX removed the second seat in the standard E135/145 1-2 configuration and made it a side table.

The cabin has no overhead bins to give it a more spacious feel, but seats have been spaced out such that there is more room for carry-on bags underneath seats.

Unfortunately, my window was very scratched.

We took off and were soon in the air. After a very bumpy ascent, we hit smooth air and Whitley sprang into service, offering everyone a beverage and snack.

I double-dipped with both a Spritz Del Conte (an Italian aperitif-style spritz cocktail…i.e. a knock-off Aperol Spritz) and a Dripdash Kyoto-style iced coffee. Whitely also encouraged me to try all the snacks…almonds, potato chips, olives, and cookies.

I liked the snack and drink selection onboard and appreciated the warm and gracious service. Furthermore, the Starlink internet worked like a charm…I loved how easy it was to connect and how the service functioned seamlessly gate-to-gate.

There’s one lavatory in the rear of the aricraft and it retrofitted…a much nicer countertop than the E145 lavatories you see onboard an American Eagle or United Express flight.

We landed in Burbank just a few minutes after the 3:45 pm departure arrived, meaning we had to sit for 10 minutes waiting for that flight to unload before we could.

On the way out, Whitley offered everyone a mint.

The Burbank Terminal operation is similar…I like how passengers were invited to stay and in the lounge while waiting for their ride.

I had parked my car on Empire Avenue and just had a short walk to my car (valet service is also offered at $50/day).

CONCLUSION

I thought JSX was a great experience on the air. I did enjoy it and would try it again, especially at the price point. However, I have to admit that I really missed visiting the Capital One Lounge in LAS before my flight, and if I was hungry, I just might fly Southwest over JSX just to spend 90 minutes in that lounge.

I’ve got to figure out now why I was only awarded a fraction of the United miles I was promised for my flight…