Boutique public charter carrier JSX is betting big on turboprops in Southern California, unveiling an expansion of its new ATR 42-600 operation that will connect Santa Monica with both Las Vegas and Scottsdale.

The move adds capacity on one of the region’s busiest leisure corridors and introduces a new short-haul link between two of the West’s most in-demand luxury destinations, while underscoring JSX’s strategy of serving travelers from smaller, more convenient airports.

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JSX will launch daily nonstop service between Santa Monica Airport and Scottsdale Airport in Arizona on January 22, 2026, giving travelers a new semi-private style option between coastal Los Angeles and the affluent Phoenix suburb.

The route will be operated with ATR 42-600 turboprop aircraft configured with just 30 seats, mirroring the carrier’s signature small-scale, premium cabin layout.

At the same time, JSX is rapidly building out its footprint on the Santa Monica to Las Vegas corridor.

After inaugurating the airport’s only commercial-style flights on December 19, 2025, with a single daily roundtrip to Harry Reid International Airport, the carrier plans to move to twice-daily service in January before ramping up to three daily roundtrips beginning February 5, 2026.

The additional frequencies are designed to provide more flexibility for both weekend leisure travelers and midweek business passengers shuttling between Southern California and the Strip.

All of the new services are part of JSX’s expansion at Santa Monica, where the carrier is using its public charter model to reintroduce scheduled-style travel at an airfield long dominated by general aviation.

For the airline, Santa Monica offers a rare combination of proximity to Los Angeles’ affluent Westside and a customer base already familiar with private-jet style operations.

Inside JSX’s New ATR Turboprop Operation

The backbone of the Santa Monica expansion is JSX’s newly introduced ATR 42-600 turboprop fleet.

The aircraft, typically used by regional carriers worldwide, has been reconfigured by JSX into a 30-seat, all-premium layout meant to deliver what the company describes as a “hop-on jet service” experience at a lower operating cost than traditional regional jets.

Executives have highlighted several advantages of the ATR platform for JSX’s business model. The turboprops require roughly half the runway length of the carrier’s Embraer E135 and E145 jets and burn about half the fuel on short regional sectors, opening up dozens of smaller airfields that would otherwise be inaccessible.

That performance profile is crucial at Santa Monica, which has a relatively short runway and strict operating limits, but it also positions JSX to expand into other constrained or secondary airports across the West.

Onboard, JSX is pitching the ATR 42-600 as an experience that more closely resembles a private charter than a traditional turboprop flight.

The 30-seat cabin offers business-class style legroom, in-seat power for personal devices, and complimentary snacks and alcoholic beverages.

The airline also plans to equip the turboprop fleet with high-speed satellite internet in early 2026, extending its investment in speedy onboard connectivity to the new aircraft type.

Santa Monica’s Comeback as a Launchpad for Leisure Travel

For Santa Monica Airport, JSX’s arrival marks one of the most significant developments in years.

The airfield, located roughly four miles from the city’s beachfront and within easy reach of major Westside neighborhoods, has seen a steady retreat of scheduled passenger operations as commercial traffic consolidated at larger regional hubs, especially Los Angeles International Airport.

JSX’s public charter arrangement allows the carrier to operate from a private terminal environment while still selling individual seats to the public, sidestepping traditional commercial terminal infrastructure.

That setup enables the airline to promise a curb‑to‑aircraft journey of as little as 20 minutes, with passengers passing through a dedicated security process and boarding directly on the ramp.

In an era when long lines at major hubs and unpredictable delays have become routine, that promise is a key part of JSX’s appeal.

The Santa Monica expansion is unfolding against a complicated backdrop for the airport itself. Under an agreement between the city and federal regulators, all aviation operations at the field are scheduled to end on December 31, 2028, with the land earmarked for redevelopment into parks and community space.

JSX has publicly framed its presence as a way to maximize the airport’s remaining years by offering what it calls “joyful, attainable” air travel while pledging to act as a respectful community partner amid long-running concerns about noise and emissions.

Las Vegas and Scottsdale: High-Demand Short-Haul Corridors

The choice of Las Vegas and Scottsdale as the first wave of turboprop destinations from Santa Monica reflects JSX’s focus on premium short-haul corridors with strong year-round demand.

Las Vegas remains one of the most heavily traveled leisure markets from Southern California, drawing tourists, convention attendees, and weekend gamblers.

By offering up to three roundtrips per day, JSX aims to attract travelers looking to avoid the congestion and longer processing times associated with large terminals at Los Angeles International and Burbank.

Scottsdale, by contrast, gives JSX a foothold in a market where high-end leisure travel, golf tourism, and business traffic intersect.

Scottsdale Airport, located north of downtown Phoenix and close to many of the region’s luxury resorts, caters primarily to private aviation.

JSX’s new daily link from Santa Monica effectively gives travelers a semi-private alternative to the larger commercial airports in Phoenix, with the added benefit of shorter ground transfers to many of the area’s most popular hotels and golf clubs.

By linking Santa Monica directly to both Las Vegas and Scottsdale, JSX is stitching together three high-income, lifestyle-oriented markets that already generate substantial private charter activity.

For travelers, the appeal lies in flying point-to-point between secondary airports that are closer to where they live, work, or vacation, without sacrificing comfort or adding lengthy connections.

Pricing, Product and Target Travelers

JSX has positioned its turboprop flights as a premium product priced below traditional private-charter rates but higher than many standard economy fares. Early promotional one-way prices on the Santa Monica routes have started around the low-200 dollar range, inclusive of taxes.

Those fares include at least two checked bags, which can encompass golf bags and ski equipment within size and weight limits, a notable perk in destinations known for outdoor and resort travel.

The service is aimed at travelers who are willing to pay a modest premium for convenience and comfort.

That audience includes frequent business travelers moving between tech corridors, entertainment industry professionals based on the Westside, high-end leisure travelers heading to desert resorts, and groups planning event or wedding trips to Las Vegas. JSX’s schedule structure, with morning departures to Las Vegas and midafternoon or evening returns, is tailored to maximize same-day or quick overnight trips.

On the ground, passengers avoid traditional terminal check-in counters in favor of JSX’s smaller, lounge-like facilities, which the company argues helps de-stress what is often the most challenging part of any short-haul trip.

Combined with the promise of shorter security screening and direct ramp boarding, JSX is betting that many flyers will view the experience as closer to private aviation than conventional regional airline travel.

What the Turboprop Pivot Signals for JSX’s Network

The Santa Monica expansion is also an early test of JSX’s broader turboprop strategy. The airline has outlined plans to acquire multiple ATR 42-600 aircraft, with options for additional units if the model proves successful.

Using turboprops on short sectors allows JSX to right-size capacity while lowering fuel burn, potentially improving the economics of routes that might be marginal with 30-seat jets.

Beyond Santa Monica, JSX has already hinted at plans to expand ATR operations into other constrained or secondary airports in the Mountain West, the Southwest, and Texas.

The improved performance of the ATR compared with the carrier’s aging Embraer fleet opens up a long list of potential destinations, from high-elevation airfields to smaller community airports that lack the infrastructure to handle regional jets at scale.

In tandem with other recent network moves, including shifts between secondary airports in Colorado and South Florida, the turboprop rollout underscores JSX’s intent to double down on its niche: providing high-touch, short-haul connectivity between wealthier metropolitan areas and resort markets via smaller, easier-to-use airfields.

Adding Las Vegas and Scottsdale from Santa Monica is a highly visible milestone in that strategy, one that gives the airline meaningful exposure in three of the West’s most competitive premium travel markets.

Impact on Travelers in Southern California and the Southwest

For travelers based in or near Santa Monica, the new flights represent a tangible alternative to the traditional journey of driving to Los Angeles International or Burbank, navigating crowded parking facilities, and queuing at standard security checkpoints.

The ability to arrive 20 minutes before departure, clear security in a small terminal environment, and step directly onto a 30-seat aircraft is likely to resonate with time-sensitive passengers, particularly those who already rely on rideshare services or live within a short commute of the Westside.

In the Southwest, the move further solidifies Las Vegas and Scottsdale as regional hubs for premium and semi-private traffic.

For Scottsdale in particular, regular scheduled-style public charter service from Santa Monica offers a complement to existing private aviation flows, potentially attracting a new segment of travelers who previously viewed private jets as either too costly or too complex to arrange.

While the total number of seats added by JSX is relatively modest compared with the capacity deployed by larger carriers into Los Angeles International or Phoenix, the airline’s focus on underserved airport pairs and frictionless ground experiences is likely to exert a competitive influence.

It may also encourage other niche operators to look more closely at pairing secondary airports with high-end leisure destinations, especially as travelers continue to seek out ways to bypass the most stressful elements of commercial flying.

FAQ

Q1: When do the new JSX turboprop flights to Las Vegas and Scottsdale from Santa Monica begin?
The Santa Monica to Las Vegas turboprop service launched on December 19, 2025, while daily Santa Monica to Scottsdale flights are scheduled to begin on January 22, 2026. Increased frequencies on the Las Vegas route, including up to three daily roundtrips, are planned from February 5, 2026.

Q2: Which aircraft type is JSX using for the new routes?
JSX is using the ATR 42-600 turboprop, reconfigured in an all-premium, 30-seat layout designed to offer business-class style comfort on short regional flights.

Q3: How many daily flights will operate between Santa Monica and Las Vegas?
Service began with one daily roundtrip, with plans to increase to two daily flights in January 2026 and then to three daily roundtrips starting February 5, 2026, subject to operational adjustments.

Q4: How often will JSX fly between Santa Monica and Scottsdale?
JSX plans to operate a daily nonstop roundtrip between Santa Monica Airport and Scottsdale Airport, providing year-round service that targets both leisure and business travelers.

Q5: What is the check-in experience like at JSX’s Santa Monica operation?
Passengers use a small, private-style terminal where check-in and security screening are designed to be completed in roughly 20 minutes from curb to aircraft, avoiding the long lines and crowds typical of major commercial terminals.

Q6: What onboard amenities can travelers expect on the ATR 42-600?
Travelers can expect business-class legroom, 30 all-premium seats, complimentary drinks and light snacks, in-seat power for personal devices, and plans for fast, free Wi‑Fi to be introduced across the ATR fleet in early 2026.

Q7: How does pricing compare to traditional commercial flights?
Typical one-way fares on the new Santa Monica routes have been advertised starting in the low-200 dollar range, inclusive of taxes, which is generally higher than many standard economy fares but lower than the cost of arranging a private charter.

Q8: Are checked bags included with JSX tickets on these routes?
Yes. JSX tickets on the Santa Monica turboprop routes include at least two checked bags for each passenger, with provisions for items such as golf clubs and ski equipment within specified size and weight limits.

Q9: What happens to Santa Monica Airport after 2028?
Under an existing agreement with federal authorities, Santa Monica Airport is slated to close to all aviation activity by the end of 2028, after which the land is expected to be redeveloped for community uses such as parks and open space.

Q10: Who is the target traveler for these new JSX turboprop flights?
The flights are aimed at time-sensitive business travelers, high-end leisure passengers, and customers who value a semi-private experience, including shorter check-in times and smaller airports, and are willing to pay a premium over standard economy fares for added convenience and comfort.