I Was One of the First to Fly on JSX's Semi-private Jet to the Bahamas — Here's What It Was Like

The semi-private air carrier now flies to the Bahamas seasonally.

Naturally on a flight to paradise I wouldn't want anything less than a seamless and relaxing travel experience — and thankfully, that's exactly what JSX is offering on its new flight to the Bahamas.

JSX — which stands for “joyful, simple experience” — operates as a public charter company, primarily from U.S. private terminals. Not only is that more convenient than meandering through the corridors of a major hub but there are tangible time savings, too. Suddenly, flying isn’t such a headache when you only have to show up 20 minutes before departure.

All of that comes with a price premium, but a ticket might be less than you’d expect. Typically, a seat on a JSX flight hovers around what a first-class seat may cost on a larger commercial airline.

The Dallas-based carrier has had a cult following since its inception in 2016, but this past year has been a particularly pivotal one as it moves further into the mainstream. After launching flights to Cabo San Lucas from both Los Angeles and Dallas in late 2022, JSX is marking another international leisure destination with its flight to the Bahamas.

What It’s Like Onboard JSX

I was onboard the inaugural flight from Miami to Marsh Harbour, a town in the Abaco Islands which in the northern part of the Bahamian archipelago. In choosing where they'll fly to next, the air carrier has shown a willingness to push the envelope on where it launches service — with much of it based on attending to customer needs, it's founder said.

“We try very hard to listen to the feedback we get from our customers,” JSX CEO and founder Alex Wilcox told Travel + Leisure in an interview. “We read every single survey [sent] and they’re not shy about letting us know where they want to travel to next.”

For this latest JSX route, Wilcox says that many existing customers in the Dallas and New York regions had voiced a desire for a holiday-timed route to the Bahamas, particularly to Marsh Harbour. “This first season is a trial run of sorts, but it’s off to a very promising start, and we’re optimistic for our future in the Bahamas,” he added.

Miami’s Opa Locka Airport is the jumping-off point to the Abacos for JSX, with additional connectivity from both New York’s Westchester County Airport and Dallas’s Love Field. The carrier has a small (but gorgeously designed) private facility at Opa Locka. With this additional route, JSX now provides up to 120 daily public charter flights on 47 Embraer ERJ family aircraft across North America.

Those planes have all been modified from their original factory equipment; JSX flies them with 30 seats either in a 1-1 (ERJ-145) or 1-2 (ERJ-135) cabin configuration. The company’s strategy is “planecycling": refreshing jets that would otherwise be parted out or discarded as waste, with ample usable life left on them. The JSX cabin feels remarkably fresh, considering many are a decade older or more. Cabins are airy thanks to the removal of overhead bins and the addition of bright, modernized lighting. Power is at every seat along with super-fast — and free — Starlink internet.

JSX

If you’re flying on the larger ERJ-145 aircraft like I was, pick a seat on the right side of the aircraft to take advantage of extra space and a tableside console.

On the short one-hour hop from Miami, there was time for a full bar service, including signature drink options such as an espresso martini or the “Winter Mule” with Deep Eddy Vodka and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. An assortment of packaged savory or sweet snacks was offered, while longer flights get hot towels and a cold meal service. While the catering isn’t going to win any culinary awards, the real star of the show is end-to-end convenience — all at a relatively reasonable price.

Welcome to the Bahamas (And The Abaco Club)

Less than 45 minutes after takeoff, it was time to secure the cabin for arrival in the Abacos.

If you’re not super familiar with this chain of islands, you’re likely not alone. They dot a 120-mile-long stretch of the Bahamas, comprised of Abaco, Little Abaco, and a scattering of smaller cays. Here, there are no duty-free shops, mega-cruise ships, or high-rise hotels. Instead, it’s a more traditional island experience, where quaint fishing villages, welcoming locals, and a relaxed, family-friendly feel are what travelers encounter. The Abacos also happen to boast some of the most spectacular boating waters on the planet.

After whisking through Marsh Harbour’s small terminal, I set out for The Abaco Club, a 500-acre barefoot luxury destination set on the secluded white-sand beaches of Winding Bay. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the airport and it happens to be only open to owners of homes inside the community, private members, and guests of these homeowners and members (and lucky travel reporters like me). However, anyone with an interest and a connection to a current member can come for an exploratory stay — a one-time-only deal — to see if the club is a fit and something they want to invest in.

Looking Ahead for JSX

As for what’s to come in 2024 for JSX, Wilcox shared that the company plans to put its entire offering under the microscope and is likely to up capacity with at least five additional aircraft.  “In business-focused markets, we’ll take a hard look at our frequency, and in leisure markets, we’ll ensure we’re going where and when customers tell us they’re most interested in going.”

Beyond new routes, the carrier remains committed to serving underserved locations like Concord, California and Rocky Mountain Airport near Boulder, Colorado. “While network airlines can only serve around 480 airports in the U.S., there are over 1,500 that JSX can serve with public charter flights, restoring service and expanding options to travelers around the nation,” Wilcox noted.

JSX also recently announced its intent to acquire over 300 hybrid-electric aircraft starting in 2028 as part of an effort to increase access to reliable flight service in an environmentally-friendly way. 

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.