By Jorge Casuso

September 18, 2025 -- A fast-rising public charter air carrier that offers an alternative to major airlines by providing shorter flights on smaller aircraft has applied to operate from Santa Monica Airport.

JSX, which is reintroducing large turboprops to the U.S. market, will offer "convenient, comfortable, and sustainable flights" as long as the airport, which the City can close after December 31, 2028, remains open, company officials said.

Popular with business and leisure travelers seeking to avoid the hassle and wait times at major airports, JSX has so far offered flights on regional jets with 30 seats that largely service smaller municipal airports.

At Santa Monica Airport (SMO), which shortened the runway in 2017 to decrease the use of large jets, JSX will utilize the ATR 42-600, "one of the most efficient and reliable turboprop aircraft flying today," company officials said.

The 30-seat aircraft is "designed with advanced noise-reduction technology and lower fuel burn" and "far surpasses Santa Monica’s rigorous" safety, noise and emission standards, company officials said.

“JSX has reimagined regional air travel with comfort, reliability, and accessibility at its core, and we see Santa Monica Airport as a natural gateway to extend that experience to local residents,” said Alex Wilcox, CEO of JSX.

“Our approach at SMO is centered on thoughtful, responsible operations that respect the neighborhood and align with the values of the Santa Monica community.”

The Dallas-based company allows passengers to check in 20 minutes before departure at "a crowd-free dedicated lobby" and offers complimentary snacks and cocktails and free Starlink high-speed internet.

It also allows "many dogs and cats to travel in-cabin" and in 2019 became the world's first air carrier to be certified as Autism Aware, company officials said.

JSX operates scheduled flights under the FAA's Part 135 charter rules that apply to carriers operating aircraft with 30 or fewer seats and are generally less strict than those for major airlines, according to Flight Global.

JSX currently operates 48 Embraer 135 and 145 jet aircraft, each with 30 seats, according to company officials.

The turboprops the company will be using "will burn roughly half as much fuel as JSX's jets and can operate from runways about half as long, opening many new airports to the airline," Flight Global reported Wednesday.

The final turboprop flight operated by the the Big Three U.S. carriers and their affiliates landed in Maryland on July 4, 2018, Bloomberg reported at the time.

The first commercial propeller flights stretched back to 1928 and were operated by Delta Air Lines Inc. and United, according to Bloomberg.

American’s initial commercial service in June 1936 used a Douglas DC-3, many of which were built at the company's plant in Santa Monica.