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JetSuiteX Review – Commercial Flying from Private Terminals!
JetSuiteX started operations in 2016 and has a unique business model. Here is how the company describes it, “…where you can enjoy the best of private travel at not-so-private fares. Avoid the traffic and airport madness when you fly exclusively between our private hangar and go from parking to take off in minutes.”
So basically it is a commercial airline operating out of private jet terminals. This means you can avoid TSA, get curbside within seconds of disembarking and generally have a less stressful flying experience, but do they actually deliver on this promise? Here is my JetSuiteX review.
JetSuiteX Review – Booking the Flight
Recently I flew LAS-SNA-LAS on JetSuiteX and booked my flights exclusively through Blackbird. Touted as the “Uber for Flying” Blackbird allows you to book private planes, but most importantly has a partnership with JetSuiteX and gives free credit for signing up!
JetSuiteX (Blackbird) $150 Sign-Up Offer
Right now Blackbird has a $150 sign-up offer that also works on JetSuiteX flights. Here is how to sign-up and get the $150 flight credit.
- Download the Blackbird app for Android or iOS.
- After signing up click “Add a referral code” and input my code NYJU0
You should receive $50 off each of your first 3 flights. This credit can be used towards JetSuiteX flights as well!
JetSuiteX Planes & Routes
JetSuiteX flies a fleet of five Embraer E135 aircraft configured with 30 seats each having a 36″ pitch. It isn’t the most legroom in the world, but the seats are comfortable and the 1 + 2 layout ensures no one is in a middle seat.
As of June, 2019 they fly the following routes daily:
- Las Vegas, NV to Burbank, Orange County, Concord and Oakland
- Orange County, CA to Las Vegas and Oakland
- Oakland, CA to Orange County, Las Vegas and Seattle
- Concord, CA to Las Vegas and Burbank
- Seattle, WA to Oakland
- Burbank, CA to Las Vegas, Oakland
- Phoenix, AZ to Las Vegas, Oakland, Burbank (Beginning Aug-Oct 2019)
JetSuiteX Las Vegas Departure Changes
One of the biggest advantages to JetSuiteX is being able to show up very close to the departure time. In Las Vegas this wasn’t actually possible since JetSuiteX used an offsite office and a shuttle to the tarmac, however as of June 4, 2019 they are now located in the terminal so you won’t have to worry about getting there quite as early.
Check-In
Check-in for both of my flights worked just like with any other airline. Each plane holds a maximum of 30 passengers, so you shouldn’t find yourself in a big line. My check-in experiences were both very fast. After asking if I had checked bags, my carry-on was swabbed for explosives (there is no TSA) by the check-in agent and I was handed my boarding pass.
Keep in mind that you may want to check even small bags. There is no overhead storage on JetSuiteX planes so you’ll have to place any carry-on bags under the seat in front of you. Checked luggage is handed to you as you deplane, so there is no delay like with other airlines.
Waiting for the Flight
In both locations JetSuiteX has a nice comfortable waiting room with attractive seating and limited food/drink options such as water/coffee and some light snacks. It isn’t up to proper airport lounge standards, but it is a nice place to wait for your flight. Keep in mind you shouldn’t have to arrive too far in advance, so hopefully you won’t be waiting long.
JetSuiteX Flight Experience
The flight from LAS-SNA is about 45 minutes. On the outbound we took off on time, while we were slightly delayed on the return due to the aircraft arriving late. When flying out to SNA I managed to snag an exit row which had ample legroom. For the flight back to Vegas I was in seat 2A which had normal legroom but had the benefit of being on the single seat side of the plane.
There is one flight attendant serving the 30 passengers and before takeoff your drink order will be taken. Beer, wine & cocktails are all complimentary as are soft drinks and some light snacks as well. Service was always quick and friendly. This is about as easy as a quick flight can get.
Arrival Experience
When you arrive at your destination you’ll be held on the plane for a couple of minutes while they remove the checked baggage and move it to a spot where passengers can claim it. After that it’s about a 30 second walk from the plane to the curb. I had called my Uber in SNA while sitting on the plane and it was waiting for me as soon as I reached the street. I was literally from my seat to the Uber in a minute.
JetSuiteX Review – Is It Worth It?
JetSuiteX prices can vary wildly depending on the day and route, however I have seen prices as low as $79 one-way. That is a steal, especially considering you could get $50 off with code NYJU0 in the Blackbird app. More often, prices are $99-$159 each way and of course they can skyrocket as the planes fill up and/or at the last minute.
For me it comes down to convenience and price. If it isn’t too much more expensive to fly JetSuiteX I will. Their planes and service are very comfortable and leaving from the private jet terminal is a MUCH less stressful experience and one that is highly recommended.
Bottom Line
While JetSuiteX is a small airline in a niche market, I love the concept of a comfortable flight experience that offers convenience as well. My only complaint was the shuttle setup in Vegas, but with that now being a thing of the past, I’m excited for my next JetSuiteX flight.
Have you flown on JetSuiteX? Share your experiences in the comments!
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