JSX is outlining its next course in the age of COVID-19.
JSX
Canceled tickets. Empty flights. Deserted airports. Like it has actually done to practically every other market, the coronavirus pandemic has actually brought flight to a shrieking stop.
It’s a truth that Alex Wilcox, the CEO of JSX understands well. The hop-on jet service, established in 2016 as JetSuiteX, saw its day-to-day flights go from 100 in February to simply 5 each day by April. “It was devastating, obviously,” Wllcox stated throughout an interview today for CNET’s Now What series. “There’s no question that’s had a tremendous impact on our business.”
As we get in July, Wilcox stated travelers are gradually going back to the skies once again. JSX now runs about 50 flights each day with much of the need being available in the last 3 weeks as gambling establishments and hotels in Las Vegas, among JSX’s most popular locations, resumed to visitors.
Watch this:
Masks, wipes and air filters: Flying in the age of coronavirus
22:33
To that end, he recognizes that convincing people to fly again is about more than just making them feel safe onboard. “There has to be something to do once you get off the airplane,” he said. “I hear people say they’re not afraid to get on an airplane, but there’s nowhere to go.”
As conferences and large sporting and cultural events continue to be canceled across the country, Wilcox admitted that giving people a reason to fly will remain a challenge. But in the meantime, he said JSX’s unique passenger experience, which includes private departure lounges distinct from the main airport terminal and fewer seats further apart on its Embraer 135 and 145 aircraft, gives it an advantage over traditional airlines.”
Alex Wilcox
JSX
“All the things that made JSX distinct before COVID are even more important Now it’s a matter of health,” he said. “We were social distancing before it was cool.”
Other safety precautions JSX is taking include a touch-free check-in process, using thermal cameras to detect passengers with a temperature over 103 degrees, distributing sanitary wipes and requiring
both passengers and cabin crew to wear face masks during the flight. Onboard its planes, the air is refreshed every three minutes (with the air moving from the ceiling to the floor rather than front to back) and HEPA filters that screen 99% of air particles.
“We don’t know who has this disease even though we screen for all of the things that we can. If you’re asymptomatic you may be shedding the virus,” Wilcox said. “If there’s any possibility of that we’re going to insist our customers wear that mask.”
JSX’s Embraer aircraft have 10-20 fewer seats than those used by traditional airlines.
JSX
Wilcox had a lot more to say, including where JSX could expand next beyond its Southwest US base. Listen to the interview for the full story.
Now What is a video interview with industry leaders, celebrities and influencers that covers trends impacting businesses and consumers amid the “new normal.” There will always be change in our world, and we’ll be here to discuss how to navigate it all.
