Travelers seeking easier access to high-country destinations in California and Colorado may soon have new options from a boutique carrier that has built its reputation on convenience. JSX, known for its 1-1 seating on regional jets and private-terminal departures, has spent the past nine months testing ATR turboprops and reports strong passenger approval. The move comes as the airline prepares for routes that jets cannot serve because of local operating restrictions at certain mountain airports. ([1])
Early Results Show Travelers Embrace the Smaller Planes
JSX introduced its first ATR 42-600 in December and now operates four of the 30-seat turboprops. Despite industry perceptions that propeller-driven aircraft feel less refined than jets, feedback has been positive. A presentation at the Regional Airline Association conference placed the net promoter score for the ATR flights 2.5 points higher than for the carrier’s Embraer jets.
CEO Alex Wilcox noted that once passengers experience the aircraft in service, opinions shift. The turboprops currently operate from Santa Monica Airport to Las Vegas, Napa County, Scottsdale, and, since mid-September, Oakland. A side-by-side test on the Burbank-to-Las Vegas route is helping the airline compare performance directly against its jets on the same corridor.
Supply-Chain Realities Delay New Mountain Service
Plans to serve Telluride Regional Airport in Colorado and Truckee Tahoe Airport in California originally targeted earlier dates. Local rules prohibit most jet operations at both fields, so only turboprops qualify. Maintenance and parts delays pushed the timeline to summer 2027 at the earliest.
The fourth ATR entered service on August 30, giving JSX a small but growing fleet for these specialized routes. The airline continues to fly its established jet network while the turboprop program matures, allowing it to gather data without disrupting existing schedules.
A Loyalty Program That Works Across Aircraft Types
Club JSX members earn and redeem points on every flight the carrier operates, including those flown with ATRs. United Airlines MileagePlus participants can also accrue miles on JSX services and redeem them on select routes. This integration broadens the appeal for travelers who value flexibility when planning trips to secondary airports closer to their final destinations.
The program removes one common friction point for passengers weighing a new aircraft type: the ability to use existing points or status benefits remains unchanged regardless of whether the flight uses a jet or turboprop.
Looking Ahead to Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
JSX recently placed a deposit on 50 Heart Aerospace ES-36 hybrid-electric turboprops. If certification proceeds on schedule, the first units could enter service in the early 2030s. The design promises roughly 40 percent lower operating costs than conventional turboprops and the potential for zero-emission flights when paired with appropriate ground infrastructure.
The ES-36 would seat up to 36 passengers under JSX’s public-charter model, with a range sufficient for nonstop flights from Santa Monica to Telluride. Heart Aerospace has also secured commitments from Air Canada and United, signaling broader industry interest in the technology. Wilcox cited the successful first flight of a demonstrator model in August as evidence that development is advancing beyond paper studies.
What This Means for Travelers Planning Mountain Trips
Smaller aircraft and new airport access can shorten ground transfers and reduce the need to connect through larger hubs. For destinations such as Telluride or the Lake Tahoe region, the ability to land closer to resort areas may appeal to travelers who prioritize time on the ground over traditional jet convenience.
The timeline remains measured. JSX expects to decide on a larger ATR order by mid-2027 and anticipates the hybrid-electric aircraft arriving later in the decade. In the meantime, the carrier continues to refine its turboprop operations while maintaining its core jet network and loyalty partnerships.
These incremental steps reflect a deliberate approach to expanding service into airports that larger jets cannot reach, potentially opening scenic mountain communities to a wider range of visitors without requiring major new infrastructure.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.