US public charter carrier JSX has begun flying the ATR 42-600 twin turboprop on certain routes, marking a notable shift in how the carrier plans to expand its network while maintaining its premium, crowd-free service model.
JSX launched ATR 42 operations in December 2025, initially flying the aircraft between Santa Monica Airport in Southern California and Las Vegas. The route represents the first time JSX has used a turboprop in scheduled passenger service and signals a broader evaluation of the aircraft type as the carrier looks to serve smaller and underserved airports with a premium passenger experience.
The carrier plans to operate four ATR 42-600 aircraft in early 2026 as part of that evaluation. JSX has said the aircraft are configured with 30 all-premium seats, matching the capacity of its Embraer regional jets while offering access to airports that are difficult or impossible for jets to serve.
JSX and ATR formally marked the start of service during a ceremony at Santa Monica Airport in early January 2026. The milestone builds on an agreement announced at the Paris Air Show in June 2025, when JSX signed a letter of intent covering up to 25 ATR aircraft, including both the 42-600 and larger 72-600.
JSX has begun operating its first ATR 42-600 and has since confirmed plans to add additional aircraft through early 2026. The carrier has said it expects to deploy the turboprops on routes that benefit from shorter runway requirements and improved performance at higher-altitude airports.
ATR received US regulatory approval in December for an avionics modification that allows the aircraft to operate at airports up to 11,000 feet in elevation, compared with a previous limit of 8,500 feet. The approval expands the range of airports the aircraft can serve in the western United States and supports JSX’s stated goal of connecting more secondary and regional markets.
JSX’s ATR 42-600s are leased aircraft that previously flew with Silver Airways. Silver ceased operations in mid-2025, allowing the aircraft to be returned to the leasing market before entering service with JSX.
JSX chief executive Alex Wilcox has described the ATR 42-600 as extending the carrier’s “hop-on” model to more airports without sacrificing the onboard experience. The carrier has emphasized that the aircraft will retain JSX’s core service elements, including spacious seating, onboard hospitality, and simplified airport access.
The ATR move also comes as manufacturers and operators look for alternatives to aging 50-seat regional jets in the US market. ATR has said it views JSX as an important test case for renewed turboprop service in premium passenger operations, following limited success with previous US operators.
JSX launched in April 2016 as JetSuiteX, launching its first flight between Burbank and Concord, California, with the idea of offering a hop-on jet service that feels more private than a typical airline flight. The company rebranded to JSX in 2019 and grew its network across the United States and into Mexico, operating point-to-point service from private terminals and using its Embraer regional jets.
It serves dozens of destinations in states including California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Texas, and Utah, with bases in markets such as Burbank, Dallas-Love Field, Las Vegas, Miami-Opa Locka, and Scottsdale, and offers charters beyond its scheduled routes.
For now, JSX has not disclosed additional ATR routes beyond its initial deployments, nor has it announced firm orders beyond the evaluation phase.