JSX Plans All-Business Class ATR Turboprop Flights In The U.S.
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JSX is preparing to expand into a new aircraft category, with plans to launch all-business class ATR turboprop flights by late 2025. This move is a significant evolution for the boutique U.S. carrier and opens up a range of smaller airports previously out of reach.
JSX Will Add ATR 42-600s To Its Fleet
JSX will begin operating two ATR 42-600 turboprops as part of a lease deal, with service expected to launch toward the end of 2025. The aircraft will be outfitted in ATR’s new HighLine interior configuration, featuring 30 all-premium seats in a 1-1 layout.
The move marks the first time ATR’s HighLine cabin will be introduced in the U.S. public charter market. JSX, which already operates a fleet of nearly 50 Embraer regional jets, sees the turboprops as a way to connect over 1,000 new airports that were previously viable only for private aviation.
Here’s how JSX CEO Alex Wilcox put it:
“The ATR -600 series will bring over 1,000 new airports into reach for JSX… I am confident 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.”
A Smart Fit For JSX’s Business Model
While turboprops have largely disappeared from the U.S. airline landscape, this is a smart niche fit for JSX’s public charter model. The slower speeds won’t be a major disadvantage on shorter routes, and the aircraft’s economics likely make them appealing for premium short-haul flying.
JSX’s fleet of Embraer jets is aging—averaging about 25 years old—so the ATRs may offer better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs, depending on the lease terms. It’s unclear whether the new aircraft are coming directly from ATR or being acquired second-hand with upgraded interiors. It’s possible some aircraft could come from defunct U.S. regional carrier Silver Airways, which recently shut down.
If the model proves successful, it’s easy to imagine JSX scaling up ATR operations in additional markets where high-speed, low-friction air service is in demand but not currently offered.
Bottom Line
JSX is adding turboprops to its fleet, with plans to launch 30-seat ATR 42-600s featuring all-business class interiors starting in late 2025. The move opens up access to smaller airports across the U.S. while reinforcing the carrier’s premium, semi-private model. If successful, this could mark the start of a larger turboprop expansion for JSX.
