In a significant development at the 2024 Paris Airshow, ATR, the world’s leading manufacturer of regional aircraft, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Texas-based public charter airline JSX. The collaboration marks ATR’s official entry into the United States public charter market, with JSX set to begin operating two leased ATR 42-600 aircraft by late 2025.
JSX, an award-winning public charter carrier headquartered in Dallas, is known for its innovative hop-on service that offers a seamless and premium travel experience. The airline, which rebranded from JetSuiteX in 2019, currently operates a fleet of 75 Embraer ERJ-145 jets, each seating 30 passengers. Since its first flight in 2016 between Burbank, California, and Concord, California, JSX has distinguished itself by allowing customers to check in just 20 minutes before departure from dedicated private terminals, offering generous baggage allowances and a premium onboard experience.
The introduction of the ATR 42-600s will enable JSX to expand its reach to over 1,000 new airports across the United States, including private terminals, Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), and underserved airports that have traditionally been accessible only to private flyers. This expansion is expected to dramatically increase access to reliable public charter flights nationwide, a move that JSX Chief Executive Officer Alex Wilcox describes as transformative.
"The ATR-600 series will bring over 1,000 new airports into reach for JSX, expanding access to reliable public charter flights across the great United States," Wilcox said. "Many of these airports were, until now, reserved only for those who had the means to fly private. I am confident that 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. When paired with our award-winning JSX hospitality, the addition of the ATR marks an innovative step forward in our company’s unyielding mission to increase the safety, speed, and convenience of air travel that moves our country forward."
JSX’s ATR operations will be supported by a comprehensive ATR Global Maintenance Agreement, designed to maximize aircraft availability and reliability. The ATR 42-600 aircraft will feature a premium configuration from the ATR HighLine cabin collection, which includes 30 business class seats offering generous legroom, along with complimentary cocktails and gourmet snacks served inflight. Additionally, JSX plans to certify and install Starlink high-speed internet connectivity on these aircraft, building on its status as the global launch customer for Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi, which it has offered free of charge since May 2023.
The partnership also includes a Letter of Intent for 25 new ATR HighLine-equipped aircraft, split between 15 ATR 42-600s with 30 premium seats and 10 All-Business Class ATR 72-600s also configured with 30 seats. This ambitious plan underscores JSX’s commitment to growing its fleet with modern, efficient turboprop aircraft that blend the exclusivity of private air travel with the operational efficiency of regional aviation.
ATR Chief Executive Officer Nathalie Tarnaud-Laude expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration and the opportunities it presents. "We are delighted to welcome JSX as a new ATR operator and to see our aircraft entering a dynamic new market segment in the United States," she said. "JSX’s unique model, blending the exclusivity of private aircraft-style travel with the efficiency of regional aviation, is a perfect match for our ATR HighLine cabin collection. This partnership highlights the increasing demand for low-emission, high-end air travel, driven by the exceptional performance of turboprop technology. We look forward to supporting JSX’s vision and further reinforcing ATR as the leading choice for regional aviation in the U.S."
This move comes at a time when regional aviation is evolving rapidly, with increasing emphasis on sustainability, passenger comfort, and operational flexibility. The ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 models are renowned for their fuel-efficient turboprop engines, quieter cabins, and ability to operate on shorter runways, making them ideal for serving smaller airports and niche markets.
JSX’s decision to incorporate ATR aircraft into its fleet reflects a strategic expansion designed to tap into underserved routes and provide travelers with more convenient and luxurious options outside the traditional commercial airline framework. By leasing these aircraft, JSX can offer a hop-on service that bridges the gap between private jet exclusivity and commercial airline accessibility.
Moreover, the integration of Starlink’s high-speed internet service promises to enhance the passenger experience by enabling seamless connectivity even on regional routes, a feature increasingly demanded by today’s travelers. JSX’s pioneering use of Starlink Wi-Fi since May 2023 has set a benchmark in the industry, and its extension to ATR aircraft is expected to further elevate in-flight amenities.
The partnership also signals ATR’s strategic intent to deepen its footprint in the lucrative and growing U.S. market. By aligning with JSX, ATR gains a foothold in the public charter segment, which is characterized by flexible, customer-focused services that often bypass traditional airport congestion and delays.
Industry observers note that this collaboration could reshape the U.S. regional aviation landscape by opening access to numerous smaller airports and private terminals previously out of reach for commercial operators. This not only benefits passengers seeking convenience and speed but also presents new business opportunities for both JSX and ATR.
As the aviation industry continues to recover and innovate post-pandemic, partnerships like that of JSX and ATR exemplify how carriers and manufacturers are adapting to changing passenger expectations and environmental imperatives. The focus on quieter, lower-emission turboprop aircraft aligns with broader trends toward sustainability and efficiency.
Looking ahead, JSX’s expansion with ATR aircraft is poised to offer travelers a compelling alternative to traditional air travel, combining the best of private and commercial aviation. With a planned rollout starting in late 2025 and a robust pipeline of new aircraft, the airline is set to enhance its service network and redefine regional air travel in the United States.
For passengers, this means more accessible, comfortable, and connected flights to a wider array of destinations, while for the industry, it signals a shift toward more versatile and passenger-centric regional aviation models.