JSX Bets on Turboprops to Link Silicon Valley and Santa Monica
A quiet shift is taking shape in regional air travel and it’s happening far from the crowded terminals most travelers know. JSX, the boutique public charter airline, is preparing to expand its footprint in California with a bold plan centered on turboprop aircraft and hard-to-serve airports.
The airline is looking to connect Silicon Valley with Southern California’s coast, specifically targeting a route between San Jose and Santa Monica. The idea is simple but disruptive. Fly business travelers and premium leisure passengers between two innovation hubs, skip the mega airports and deliver a faster, calmer experience from curb to cabin. But there’s a catch. Space at San Jose’s airport is tight for JSX’s private-terminal style operations and that could push the airline toward Oakland instead. Either way, the Bay Area is clearly in JSX’s sights.
At the heart of this move is a new aircraft type many Americans haven’t flown in years. JSX is introducing ATR 42 turboprops, planes designed for shorter runways and regional distances where jets struggle or simply can’t operate. These aircraft are already flying daily between Santa Monica and Las Vegas, with new service to Scottsdale launching soon and even more Las Vegas flights added in the weeks ahead.
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Inside, the experience is deliberately premium. Just 30 seats in a spacious layout. Power at every seat. And high-speed satellite Wi-Fi rolling out across the fleet. JSX is betting that comfort, speed and convenience will matter more than whether the plane has jet engines.
This strategy also opens doors that were previously closed. Airports like Santa Monica and Telluride have runway limits that keep many jets away. Turboprops change that equation. They allow JSX to serve niche routes that major airlines can’t touch, while keeping flight times competitive on trips under about 500 miles.
Still, this is not without risk. Turboprops largely vanished from U.S. skies as regional jets took over and some travelers still associate propellers with outdated travel. JSX openly calls this an experiment. Early customer feedback has been strong, but long-term decisions will hinge on satisfaction scores and demand. If the numbers hold, the airline could eventually add dozens more of these aircraft. If not, the planes can be returned.
There’s also a legal and political backdrop, especially in Santa Monica, where residents are challenging expanded commercial service at the airport. City officials say federal agreements leave little room to deny qualified operators, setting the stage for a wider debate about airport access and community impact.
What’s clear is this. JSX is testing whether smaller planes, smaller airports and a premium feel can reshape short-haul travel in the U.S. The outcome could influence how and where Americans fly next.
Stay with us for continued coverage as this story develops and for the latest on how aviation is changing the way the world moves.
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