JSX offers New Yorkers charter flights without the private jet price

Luxury charter flights from Long Island can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but a more affordable option may be landing locally next year.

JSX is a public charter air carrier that gives passengers a premium-style experience for a more affordable price. Founded in 2016, JSX offers flights around the country. 

The privately held company's revenue and financial information is not publicly available and JSX didn't respond to Newsday's request for financial information.

The closest New York hub is at Westchester County Airport, where the company offers flights to Florida for as little as $600 one way.

Some private charter jets, like Surf Air, list prices starting at $22,100 from Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.

But JSX is considering opening a branch at a Long Island airport next year, according to Kaufman. He didn't comment on where.

Here's what you need to know about traveling with JSX.

What makes JSX different from regular airlines?

JSX, which has been the subject of a variety of recent positive TikTok reviews, touts its ease of use and accommodations on its website — a private waiting room, free hi-speed internet, no TSA check-in, lots of legroom, pets allowed.

JSX is not a private jet airline, but seats substantially fewer passengers than a regular airline, at a maximum of 30 travelers per flight, plus pets, said senior director of Customer Experience and Brand Partnerships Ben Kaufman. Passengers travel on an Embraer plane, which has 36-inch legroom and free high-speed internet using Starlink, he said.

"Free internet is one of the big draws," said travel agent Linh Trieu, founder of Patchogue-based TruEscapes and the Solo Women Travelers Facebook Group. "A lot of customers love that aspect of it and how they can work on the planes, especially if they're traveling for work. Wi-Fi is not exactly the best on regular carriers."

JSX operates a private space at Westchester County Airport, which is a little over an hour from New Hyde Park, and doesn't require TSA check-in, said Kaufman. Passengers can arrive up to 20 minutes before their flight, he said.

"It's really about the convenience factor," Kaufman said. "When you come to us, you pull right up to the curb, check in, boarding is right out the door."

Where can you go on a JSX flight from New York?

A flight from Westchester County Airport goes to several Florida resort spots, including Boca Raton, West Palm, Naples and Miami, according to JSX's website. Trips to Fort Lauderdale will be available by the end of the summer, according to Kaufman.

How much does a flight cost?

Prices range from $600 to $1,400 one-way.

"It's very competitive with what you'll see on airlines for first class cabins," Kaufman said. 

A price quote from Delta Air Lines shows that a one-way, first class ticket on a non-holiday is $659 from New York to Florida.

How does JSX compare with charters available on Long Island?

JSX is not comparable to a private jet that can be flown out of Farmingdale or East Hampton, according to Trieu, who noted that it's more for people who "don't have the finances for a full private jet experience but want to dip their foot into it."

What are some of the pros of a service like JSX?

The biggest pro is that it's geared more toward people who don't like the traditional airport experience, Trieu said. "People who don't like the commercial flying experience, who want less people on their airplane, who don't want to go through the long TSA lines," she added.

The service also allows pets — which can be a pro or a con, depending on the passenger, Trieu said. "It's great for someone with a pet, but not so great for someone who has a pet allergy," she noted.

Trieu also noted that JSX out of Westchester is good for passengers who travel the route frequently. "For someone who goes to Florida often and hates the experience of a regular airport, then it's worth a try from Long Island."

What are some of the cons of a service like this?

Long Islanders have to travel to Westchester to use JSX, which is the biggest hurdle, Trieu said.

But Suzanne Colby, 68, of Commack — who said she travels once or twice a year for vacation — said she wouldn't go to Westchester just for an easier airport experience.

"It's just too far," she said. "I'd rather just go to MacArthur."

How safe is JSX?

JSX doesn't appear to have a history of major safety issues, according to Newsday's research.

The only case of a documented incident occurred in May 2024, when a JSX Embraer 145 experienced a left main landing gear collapse during landing in Houston and one employee suffered minor injuries, according to the National Transportation Safety Board — a U.S. government agency that investigates accidents and incidents in aviation, driving and other industries.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates and oversees air travel but does not issue formal safety ratings and does not have any records of serious accidents or incidents regarding JSX.