In the ever-evolving choreography of modern travel—where the Transportation Security Administration has perfected the art of making everyone remove their shoes in perfect unison—JSX offers a refreshing alternative: simplicity. Their new Salt Lake City to Orange County route, launching June 19, represents a culinary traveler’s dream connector, linking mountain cuisine with coastal California fare in just two hours of flying time, with none of the usual pre-flight purgatory.
The Art of the Civilized Departure
The most delicious ingredient in JSX’s recipe might be time itself. While commercial air travel typically demands the sacrifice of several hours to the gods of security theater, JSX operates from private terminals where passengers can arrive a mere 20 minutes before departure.
This temporal luxury recalls the golden age of air travel, before flying became an endurance exercise. The private terminal experience—uncrowded and streamlined—feels akin to being admitted to a secret society whose primary membership requirement is valuing your time.
Premium Comfort Without the Premium Pretense
The aircraft themselves—30-seat Embraer jets—offer 34 inches of legroom, the kind of space that allows you to use a laptop without performing elbow contortions that would impress a yoga instructor. Complimentary drinks and snacks, while not destination-worthy cuisine, surpass the packaged peanut melancholy of traditional carriers.
At $259 starting fare, JSX occupies the sweet spot in the Venn diagram between affordability and comfort. Much like finding that perfect neighborhood restaurant—not cheap enough for daily visits, but reasonably priced for regular indulgence. If you want luxury, Air France redefines luxury air travel with its new first-class suites, making an elevated travel experience attainable without requiring trust fund backing.
The experience is reminiscent of eating at the chef’s counter in a good restaurant rather than the main dining room: more personal, more efficient, and with a better view of the operation. Whether heading to Utah for its surprisingly excellent Delta-influenced cuisine and emerging wine scene, or to Orange County for coastal Mexican food that makes a mockery of what passes for “authentic” elsewhere, the journey now feels like part of the experience rather than an ordeal to be endured.
Beyond Convenience: Accessibility as the Ultimate Luxury
Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of JSX’s approach is its accessibility. As the first airline certified as “Autism Aware” by Autism Double-Checked, JSX recognizes that for some travelers, traditional airports aren’t merely inconvenient—they’re virtually impossible.
The less overwhelming environment of private terminals can make air travel feasible for families affected by autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing challenges. This certification reflects specialized staff training and a commitment to creating a more manageable travel experience for those with sensory sensitivities.
The Inevitable Compromises
No travel experience comes without tradeoffs, of course. JSX’s new route offers limited frequencies—just once daily on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday—lacking the schedule flexibility of major carriers. The service resembles those destination restaurants open only on select days: wonderful if their schedule aligns with yours, frustrating if it doesn’t.
Additionally, while the $259 fare won’t require selling heirloom jewelry, it typically runs higher than standard economy tickets—a premium that requires justification for many travelers.
But for culinary explorers seeking to maximize dining opportunities rather than airport terminal time, the equation makes perfect sense. Those extra hours saved could mean fitting in both the legendary Red Iguana for mole in Salt Lake and still making a sunset dinner at Crystal Cove in Orange County on the same day—a bicoastal feast impossible with conventional air travel’s demands.
The Salt Lake City to Orange County route launches June 19, creating a seamless corridor between mountain and coastal dining scenes just in time for summer exploration. For food-focused travelers, the precious hours saved might be the most luxurious amenity of all.
