This Airline Is Flying Stranded Seniors Home Via Private Jet Amid Coronavirus Pandemic (Video)
“It was a great end to a very difficult trip.”
Like many travelers flying on a private jet for the first time, a mother and daughter posed for photos on the boarding stairs before entering the JSX aircraft. For them, in their words, “It was a great end to a very difficult trip.” They were among a group of travelers who had arrived at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport after being stranded in various overseas destinations.
JSX, a Dallas-based regional short haul airline serving several western cities, responded to a request to transport these travelers, mostly U.S. citizens over the age of 65, to their final destinations. In less than 48 hours, JSX flew 106 passengers to 22 cities across the country, including Boston, Charlotte, Orlando, Baltimore, Albuquerque, and Seattle. Each flight accommodated between eight and 16 passengers in accordance with the company’s onboard social distancing protocol.
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“Our crew members truly rose to the occasion, organizing dozens of flights to cities both within and outside of our typical network," JSX CEO Alex Wilcox told Travel + Leisure. "We worked closely with team members at JetSuite, our sister company, to mobilize a multi-tiered private charter airlift.”
Wilcox continued, “I know of no other non-military group or organization that could assemble a complex airlift that quickly. I am so proud of our team and grateful JSX and JetSuite had the opportunity to step in and get these citizens back safely to their communities and families.”
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Once the weary Dallas passengers knew they were finally headed home, their mood lightened. Asked for their weight as part of flight planning, one woman politely obliged but insisted on whispering to the head of guest services. A gentleman returning from a cruise asked if they wanted his weight “before or after the all-you-can-eat buffets.”
JSX also assisted in transporting college students home when schools suddenly closed and concerned parents made arrangements to bring their children home safely and as quickly as possible.
“JSX is sensitive to the times, and we want to do our part in helping essential businesses, emergency relief, professionals, and frontline workers who need to travel during this time," Wilcox said. "We are in a slightly better position than major air carriers, because there are still passengers and cargo to move, and no one needs to charter a larger aircraft for just one or two doctors.”
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