*** As of Nov 2019, BlackBird offers $10 credit for your first booking on BlackBird when using referral code H2UM2, which you can use for JSX flight.
Recently, I flew with my friends on a private JSX jet from Orange County to Vegas. I found a one-way JSX flight to Vegas on BlackBird for $99. Since I had $100 referral credit, my flight was FREE to Vegas. I booked the flight literally after the booking window extended into my travel dates. Airfare does go up as flight gets closer to the travel date. Book early to secure the low price. I booked the flight the first week of January, which was approximately 2 months in advance of my trip. I also booked a one-way JSX flight from Vegas to home.
Download BlackBird app and create a new account with my referral code H2UM2 to get $100 credit for each of your one-way flight, up to 3 times. That’s $300 in BlackBird credit for flights. The app automatically takes off $100 off each time you book a one-way flight.
Airport Check-In
I love flying out of Santa Ana (SNA) whenever possible since the airport is small and nearby me. I arrived to the airport 30 minutes prior to the schedule departure, which is the recommended time. There were two agents working the counter when I checked-in. The line was short due to having only 30 passengers on each flight. I was given a paper boarding pass a few minutes after showing the agent my ID. I did not have to go through TSA screening since JSX is not required to screen passengers in the same way as commercial flights do. They operate scheduled charter flights.
I did not need to remove my shoes, put my toiletries into separate clear bags or arrive two hours before the flight. Goodbye TSA! Each passenger is entitled to two bags weighing 50 lbs in combined total at no additional cost and one personal item (12″ x 12″ x 9″) that must fit completely underneath the seat in front. All carry-on are checked-in as there is no overhead storage bins.
The Lounge
A small room served as lounge. It had a few tables and chairs with free Wi-Fi, packaged snacks and soft drinks available. Since we boarded in the morning, donuts were served.
Boarding
The boarding process began 5 minutes before our departure time. The boarding process was smooth and it took about 5 minutes for everyone to be seated. Drink orders were taken prior to the plane taken off. It was delivered 10 minutes into the flight. As promised, gourmet snacks, cocktail, beer or wine were free (max 2 per hour for alcohol beverages). It was nice having no overhead storage bins, which eliminated the time passengers spend putting their luggage away.
Cabin and Seats
The Embraer E135 has a 1-2 seating configuration while leather seats are spaced to provide a 36 inches of legroom in every row except for the exit row, which has 40 inches. Power outlets are available at every seat. It appears the under-the-seat storage for the single seats was limited by the curve of the wall and the two-seat storage option was more roomy.
The Flight Experience
The cabin was clean and spotless. The seat pocket contained a menu of beverages and a safety card. The tray table was large and stable. One flight attendant handled all the duties, with two pilots in the cockpit. The flight attendant collected the trash prior to descending. The flight was smooth until the the captain announced the initial descent and warned that it would be a little bumpy.
Arrival
The engines were off and the door was open a few minutes after we landed in Las Vegas at 8:52 A.M. Luggage was available when we got off the plane.
About JSX
JSX (formerly JetSuiteX) is a private air service owned by JetSuite that sells public charter tickets for flights between California and Nevada. JetSuite is the fourth largest charter company in the national that has been specialized in private air travel. The company was founded in 2006 by Alex Wilcox, Brian Coulter and Keith Rabin, and it focuses on passengers taking short-haul flights. JSX was created in response to declining short-haul traffic and the rise in fares on short-haul flights in the United States. It targets time-sensitive travelers who seek an experience better than that of traditional low-cost flights, but not as expensive as private jet travel.
About BlackBird
BlackBird was found in 2016 by Rudd Davis and offers flight sharing app. It’s like Uber-like flight sharing.
Flying out of Orange County
Address: 19301 Campus Drive, Suite 152, Santa Ana, CA 92707.
Note: Valet parking is available on-site at ACI Jet for $30 per day, however, spaces are limited.
Flying into Las Vegas
Address: Atlantic Aviation, 275 E. Tropicana Ave #100, Las Vegas, NV 89169.
Note: To meet your car, walk through the terminal building to the parking lot outside where your car will be waiting.