Imagine sitting on a small regional jet, but instead of being crammed in with 100 other travelers, you’re one of only 16 on board. Between commercial flights and private charters lies an increasingly popular niche: semi-private air travel.
Semi-private flights are typically offered on smaller 10- to 30-person planes flying domestic routes (though some also travel internationally). Carriers that offer this service typically sell individual seats that can be reserved online, just as you would book with a major airline.
These companies might call themselves “air carriers” or “public charters,” but they’re all essentially the same concept. With the growing affluence of travelers and the need for time-efficient, less-stressful alternatives to commercial travel, this segment has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Here are four to check out.
JSX
Best for: the convenience of flying private without all the frills
Pricing: around the cost of a commercial first-class ticket
Where it flies: mostly the West Coast, Texas and Florida
Perhaps the most well-known semi-private carrier, JSX operates up to 140 flights daily to 29 destinations across the South and the West and East coasts. The company primarily works out of private air terminals, which means major time savings for fliers. In fact, the real luxury of flying JSX is the ability to check in just 20 minutes ahead of a domestic flight without having to deal with long check-in procedures, security lines and terminal crowds.
In addition to the time and comfort benefit, the carrier also provides Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi, which it has offered complimentary on all flights since May 2023. JSX has a fleet of 48 Embraer ERJ aircraft, each equipped with 30 seats (arranged in a one-two configuration).
Tradewind Aviation
Best for: leisure passengers who want a dose of luxury
Pricing: around the cost of a commercial first-class ticket
Where it flies: mostly in the Northeast, Florida and the Caribbean
Tradewind provides both private and scheduled flights to underserved leisure destinations in North America and the Caribbean. The carrier uses a fleet of more than 30 Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, which can fit up to eight passengers in a one-one configuration. In the Northeast, Westchester County to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are the carrier’s bread-and-butter routes, while in the Caribbean, it’s San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. Barts.
The brand will triple its capacity in the Bahamas with the launch of a South Florida-to-Nassau route set to debut in December.
Aero
Best for: high-touch hospitality and service — without owning a jet
Pricing: more than a commercial first-class ticket, but more economical than private
Where it flies: mostly out of Los Angeles to Cabo, Aspen and more
Aero targets premium leisure travelers with semi-private jet services positioned between first-class and full-fledged charter flights. It’s pricier than JSX, but it’s also more luxurious, with high-touch onboard service.
Passengers enjoy private terminal access with a swanky lounge out of Los Angeles’ Van Nuys Airport and elevated food and drinks in-flight (meals courtesy of star-beloved grocer Erewhon). Aero’s convoy of ERJ-135 jets features a custom-designed cabin interior with 16 hand-stitched Italian leather seats. In November, Aero will launch a weekly flight to Hawaii in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. The route features Aero’s newest addition: a Gulfstream IV, long-range business jet.
BARK Air
Best for: flying with your dog without compromise
Pricing: more than a commercial first-class ticket but more cost-effective than flying private
Where it flies: mostly transcontinental or transatlantic
Since launching in May 2024, BARK Air has put more than 1,000 dogs on 142 aircraft across book-by-the-seat options and shared or private charters. Owners of furry fliers can book on BARK Air’s website for a seat on a scheduled flight (service is available on routes from New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Paris, Madrid and Lisbon), or the company can coordinate one-off full- and partial-charter private flights.
