JSX Airline Review: Private Terminal Bliss (Mostly) with Little Kids

As a mom who flies solo with a toddler from time to time, the idea of sidestepping the typical airport maze, TSA lines, and last-minute sprints to the gate is beyond unappealing.

Enter JSX—a semi-private airline that basically makes air travel feel like the VIP line to your destination, minus the chaos. You show up at a private terminal, breeze through a quick security process (think metal detectors and wiping down bags for testing, that’s it), and—get this—you can roll in just 20 minutes before takeoff. No need to panic-pack or chase down tiny shoes lost at the security scanner. For families with young kids? This setup is a dream.

Skip the TSA Shuffle (Hello, Liquid Freedom!)

One of the biggest perks is that JSX skips over traditional TSA security. Yes, they still check for metals and do a quick bomb test, but it’s nothing like the whole shoes-off, liquids-out routine that regular airports demand. We always have to leave extra time at the airport when traveling with formula, milk, or baby food because of the extra TSA checks, but that’s not a worry with JSX.

You can bring snacks, sippy cups, even juice boxes for the littles without a second thought. For me, this was a total game-changer. Flying solo with my son to California, I packed like it was a road trip, not a flight, and I didn’t have to ration my liquids or worry about security hassle.

You can get $100 of your first flight with my referral code, 8803K5.

Fast Boarding, Big Baggage Allowance, and Dog-Friendly

At JSX, boarding doesn’t feel like a race or a puzzle. You stroll in, and within about 10 minutes, everyone’s ready to go. The terminals are private, so the gate area is small, relaxed, and free of the crowds. You get two checked bags up to 50 lbs per passenger, which felt like a luxury—especially when I’m used to sacrificing one of my own bags to fit all my son’s things.

One thing to note – you may be offered family boarding or you may have to request it. They didn’t do it on my outbound flight, which made it a little stressful for me to quickly install the car seat on board, but I think they would have accommodated had I asked to board early, I just didn’t realize I’d need to. On my flight home, they offered me first boarding without my having to ask.

Plus, if you’re a pet parent, most dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin. JSX makes it feel like they actually want families to be comfortable, which is refreshing.

Business Class-Sized Seats

This was also key – the seats are nice and big, with plenty of legroom and under-the-seat storage, which is great, because there was no overhead bin. But since there’s no waiting for baggage after the flight, it feels like you’re gate checking everything, so checking a rolling bag or travel stroller is no issue. I was able to fit my rather large Milk x Whiskey diaper bag with room to spare.

Plus, my toddler couldn’t possibly kick the seat in front of him.

Direct Flights to Smaller Airports (Yes, Please)

JSX mostly serves smaller airports, especially around the West Coast of the US. Since we were flying from Reno directly to Orange County, I was thrilled. No layovers or backtracking to major hubs, just a straight shot where we needed to go. It’s a huge perk for families who want to skip the headache of big airports but still need flexibility with destinations.

Even better? JSX has a referral code (8803K5) that gives you $100 off your first flight (if you’re into discounts and who isn’t).

Price Tag Realities

JSX isn’t a budget airline—most of the time, they’re more expensive than Southwest, but that weekend, it wasn’t. And I’d say the convenience alone justifies a splurge once in a while, especially when you’re getting private terminal service and a more family-friendly approach.

You can get $100 of your first flight with my referral code, 8803K5.

The Not-So-Great: Seat Assignments

Here’s the catch: seating can be a little tricky. Our plane was switched last minute, and the new setup required my son to technically sit in front of me, which, if you know toddlers, sounds like a fantastic way to invite chaos. Thankfully, they let us sit across from each other, but he was still far enough away that I couldn’t easily reach him. If having your child next to you is a must, it’s worth paying extra to select seats in advance, but there’s always a chance that an aircraft change will mean each row only has one seat, removing that possibility.

They’ll separate families if they need to unless you pay for seats ahead of time, but without assigned seats, you’re at the mercy of last-minute changes. Still, they were willing to accommodate us and found a way for us to sit across from each other.

Final Verdict: Worth the Convenience

JSX is a breath of fresh air for families who dread the usual airport scene. It’s not perfect, and the seating quirks can be a little stressful, but for the ease, speed, and sanity-saving factor of flying out of a private terminal, I’d absolutely fly them again. Skipping security lines, keeping liquids for the little one, and showing up right before takeoff? That’s my kind of travel experience.