JSX, a semi-private air carrier, is unconventional for a host of reasons. For one thing, planes have just 30 seats. Travelers skip traditionally long security lines because JSX departs from private air terminals. Once on board, snacks and drinks are complimentary, every seat has power outlets, and legroom is plentiful.
And then there’s one perk that stands out as especially generous: Small pets fly free.
“Pets are family and at JSX, we believe you should have the option to fly with your whole family,” JSX spokesperson Meghan Patke tells NerdWallet.
Why JSX might be right for your pet
JSX doesn’t charge pet fees, and for pet owners based in the West, JSX has several route options. JSX fares are usually more expensive than those of conventional airlines, but often the cost is just incrementally more compared to typical fares with pet fees. Plus, JSX provides a business class experience for both pets and passengers. So in some cases, the price difference is more than worth it for the added comfort and convenience.
Here’s how the JSX pet experience compares:
JSX is sometimes cheaper
NerdWallet compared JSX airfare against the cost to fly the same route on Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines, which won first and second place in NerdWallet’s Most Pet-Friendly Airlines of 2023. On most flights, Alaska charges $100 each way for pets that fit in a carrier under the seat. Southwest offers a slightly cheaper $95 pet fare for animals that fit in a carrier under the seat. (Pets are not allowed on international Southwest flights, though.)
To compare prices, NerdWallet analyzed 2023 airfares on 75 nonstop routes shared by Alaska, Southwest and JSX. On a few routes, JSX was cheaper — and sometimes a lot cheaper.
For example, Alaska charged $224 (or $324 with the pet fee) for one flight between San Diego and Phoenix, while JSX charged just $199 for the same route that day.
When you factor in pet fees, the average Alaska airfare is 1.2% more expensive than JSX and the average Southwest airfare is 12.6% cheaper than JSX.
The prices in the analysis were based on the lowest non-Basic Economy fare each airline offers. For airlines with multiple flights on the same day, the cheapest departure time was selected.
Especially on shorter routes like Los Angeles to San Francisco — where fares are typically cheap (but pet fees are fixed) — pets can amount to a huge chunk of overall flying costs, which enables JSX to shine.
Less wait time and a better onboard experience
JSX flights depart from private air facilities, so you won’t have to arrive for your flight two hours in advance, and the security screening process is much less invasive. This can cut down on the time you might have to spend wrangling a stressed pet at the airport.
Then there’s the onboard experience. Humans and pets alike get a business class-like experience on JSX flights. JSX spokesperson Meghan Patke told NerdWallet that pets are given a JSX–branded bandana.
When JSX doesn’t make sense, even with pets
- Few routes. JSX’s route map is pretty limited, only operating out of about two dozen airports around North America. Southwest and Alaska serve more than 110 airports each.
- Larger animals aren’t cheap. For large dogs, you’ll have to buy their own seat — which will likely be pricier than the roughly $100 pet fees on most airlines.
- It’s usually more expensive. When you factor in pet fees, JSX fares were more expensive than Alaska fares 60% of the time and more expensive than Southwest fares 76% of the time. In raw dollars, Southwest airfare with a pet averaged $103 cheaper than the same JSX route.
- For large groups with just one pet. For an individual traveling with their pooch, the upcharge might be worth it for the JSX experience. But for large groups, the price difference for seats starts to become a lot starker. For example, a family of four plus one pet would pay, on average, about $700 more to fly JSX versus Southwest.
Why JSX might be the best air carrier for your pet
Because JSX doesn’t charge pet fees for small cats and dogs, it sometimes nets out to be the cheapest option to fly. But even when it’s not cheapest, often the cost is just incrementally more. And given that JSX provides a business class experience for both pets and passengers, it might be worth the extra cost.
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The article The Best Air Carrier for Your Pet May Be One You Never Heard Of originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
