Short hop flight service back on in Monterey
Burbank, Orange County routes delayed by COVID-19
Postponed by COVID-19, JFX starting flights to Southern California July 2, other routes also return to airport.
JSX, the hop-on jet service that was to launch its Burbank and Orange County routes to Monterey in April, is now starting its flights beginning July 2 after being forced to postpone due to the COVID-19 crisis.
“We’re excited they remain confident in the market,” said Mike La Pier, Monterey Regional Airport executive director. “Before the delay, advance sales eclipsed any market they have so far.”
The seasonal routes’ ticket prices start at $99 each way and include four round-trip flights a week — Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, to and from Monterey Jet Center at 200 Sky Park Dr. Both Orange County’s John Wayne Airport and Hollywood Burbank Airport have private terminals for JSX travelers.
“Many Californians are eager to travel in their own backyard this summer as restrictions ease and cities reopen, and will likely seek short-distance, short-duration getaways over far-flung journeys as they regain confidence,” said Alex Wilcox, JSX CEO. “We’re excited to resume our plans of offering a quick and crowd-free alternative to commercial air travel to this beautiful and iconic California coastal city.”
Considering itself a crowdfree, luxury travel jet service, JSXsaysithasimplementedsocial distancing since its inception in 2016. Flights are capped at 30 people, and JSX has recently launched a safety and security initiative called “JSX Simpli-Fly” program that includes:
• SafePointe TSS (Temperature Screening System), a real-time artificial intelligence-enabled thermal screening system that accurately detects elevated body temperatures without the customer stopping to look at a camera or device
• Increased aircraft and lounge sterilization throughout the day
• 2×1 seating configuration with a minimum of 36-inch pitch and no middle seats or overhead bins
• Advanced air circulation system with newly installed HEPA filters on every plane
• Check-in to boarding procedures that take no more than 20 minutes, minimizing dwell time
• TSA-level security without the shared plastic security bins or removing shoes
• Fast deplaning and limited bag handling, with bags delivered moments after arrival
• Free amenities for all customers including two checked bags, drinks, snacks, and complimentary cocktails inflight——no credit card exchanges needed.
JSX currently serves seven destinations daily from Burbank, Orange County, Oakland, East Bay/ Napa/Concord, Las Vegas, Seattle-Boeing Field and Phoenix, as well as seasonal service to Mammoth Lakes. Coachella Valley, and the coming Monterey route.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit jsx.com.
Monterey Regional Airport has direct flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver on United Airlines, San Diego on Alaska Airlines, Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth on American Airlines, and Las Vegas on Allegiant.
“Traffic is coming back to (Monterey Regional Airport), albeit slowly,” said La Pier. “I think we hit bottom about two weeks after the shelter order when the airlines started to reduce their flying nationwide. We followed that same pattern and it looks like we are following that industry pattern again.”
According to previous industry estimates, air travel dropped about 90% in April but is now at about an 80% decrease compared to the same time last year.
“The addition of JSX service is net new traffic potential for us since they have never been in the market previously,” said La Pier.
The airport executive director said the American Airlines’ year-round route to Dallas/Fort Worth is scheduled to have a second daily flight on track in August.
“We’re hopeful when (American Airlines) comes with a second flight in August, it is in a strong market,” said the Monterey airport executive director.
United Airlines will bring back its Los Angeles flight in July which was suspended in April during shelter in place and will look to build it back up to four daily round-trip flights. The Denver route was also suspended but nonstop flights will resume in early August.
Alaska Airlines was scheduled to begin nonstop air travel between Monterey and Seattle in June, but that was put on hold. The airlines’ planned second daily nonstop to San Diego is still on target for an early September launch.
“We’re trying to rebuild where we were before the (COVID-19) downturn,” said La Pier. “More than anything, the JSX announcement and Alaska’s (San Diego plan) is indicative of the strength of our market.”