Last updated: July 2026 — We’ve flown JSX with Ruby from Concord (CCR) to Burbank (BUR) and update this guide as JSX expands its routes and pet program.
                    

If you’ve ever wished flying with your dog could feel less like a logistical puzzle and more like an actual travel experience — JSX is the answer.

JSX is a semi-private “hop-on jet service” that operates 30-passenger Embraer jets and ATR turboprops out of private terminals across the US and Mexico. No massive airports, no long security lines, no gate crowds. You arrive 20 minutes before departure, walk straight to a private terminal, clear a streamlined security process, and board a plane with fewer than 30 seats. The whole experience is quieter and calmer — and for dog owners, it’s in a different category than anything commercial flying offers.

The key difference: your dog flies in the cabin with you. In-seat, beside you, up to 80 lbs. No cargo, no crowds, no crossing your fingers at the gate. We flew from Concord (CCR) to Burbank (BUR) with Ruby — she flew as a service animal on our trip, but under JSX’s pet policy she would qualify as a small pet — and it was the most seamless flying experience we’ve had with her. She settled in almost immediately and spent the flight relaxed beside me while we sipped complimentary cocktails at 30,000 feet.

Here’s everything you need to know about flying JSX with your dog — from the full pet policy and route network to how it compares to every other option out there.

What Is JSX?

JSX (formerly JetSuiteX) is a public charter operator that flies under FAA Part 135 regulations, which allows it to use private terminals and operate more like a charter service than a traditional airline. Founded in 2016 and rebranded to JSX in 2019, it currently operates 71 active routes across 27 destinations in the US and Mexico. JetBlue and Qatar Airways are minority shareholders.

The pitch is simple: the experience of semi-private flying at a fraction of the cost of a private jet. One-way fares typically start around $200–$400 depending on the route, and every ticket includes complimentary cocktails, gourmet snacks, free Starlink Wi-Fi, and two checked bags. For dog owners, the bigger pitch is what JSX does for pets — which no commercial airline comes close to matching.

JSX’s Pet Policy: The Full Breakdown

JSX has one of the most dog-forward pet policies of any commercial or semi-commercial carrier in the US. Here’s exactly how it works:

Small dogs (under 30 lbs):

• Fly in-cabin in an approved soft carrier stowed under the seat in front of you
• $100 each way pet fee
• Small dogs may be removed from the carrier during flight as long as they stay within your seating area and under your direct supervision — a meaningful upgrade over commercial airlines where your dog must stay in the carrier for the entire flight
• The carrier counts as your one personal item

Medium to large dogs (30–80 lbs):

• Fly in-cabin, leashed, on the floor next to you
• You must purchase both the window seat and the adjacent aisle seat to accommodate your dog
• Your dog stays on the floor — not on the seat itself
• $100 each way pet fee (plus the cost of the additional seat)
• Maximum of one large dog per passenger

Flight-wide rules:

• Maximum of 5 pets per flight — book early, this fills up
• Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old, well-behaved, non-aggressive, and properly groomed
• JSX reserves the right to deny boarding if a pet shows signs of illness, stress, or disruptive behavior
• Disruptive behavior includes excessive barking, aggression toward crew or other passengers, or occupying a seat or tray table

International flights (Mexico routes):

• All pet owners must complete a CDC Dog Import form for flights to and from Mexico

The JSX x Petco Partnership (2026)

In early 2026 JSX announced a partnership with Petco that layers a full amenity program on top of its already-strong pet policy. Here’s what’s rolling out:

• From February 2026: Limited-edition JSX x Petco bandanas, curated lounge treats including travel-themed frosted cookies, and Petco-brand carriers and leashes available for loan at the terminal
• From April 2026: Customized in-flight snacks for dogs and cats from Petco’s WholeHearted brand
• From spring 2026: Petco-sponsored pet relief stations with clean-up supplies rolling out across the JSX network

We experienced this firsthand on our CCR to BUR flight — Ruby received a JSX x Petco bandana and a frosted cookie at check-in, and WholeHearted snacks on the flight. It’s the kind of detail that signals JSX is truly thinking about the pet travel experience from start to finish, not just tolerating dogs on board.

JSX has also integrated pets into its Club JSX loyalty program — you can create a sub-profile for your dog tied to your account, track how many rewards they’ve earned, and share rewards across a family pool. Genius. Our pets are family, and it’s about time an airline treated them that way.

The Experience: Flying CCR to BUR with Ruby

Concord’s Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) is about as different from SFO as you can get — a small regional airport with a private JSX terminal, minimal security, and a calm, unhurried check-in process. We arrived 20 minutes before departure, walked straight through security, and were on the plane within minutes. No crowds, no chaos, no long corridors.

The plane itself — a 30-seat Embraer jet — has a 1-2 seating configuration with more legroom than any commercial flight we’ve been on. Ruby settled in almost immediately and stayed relaxed for the entire flight. The crew were visibly comfortable with dogs on board and checked in with us shortly after takeoff.

The flight to Burbank (BUR) is just over an hour and Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport is also a much easier arrival than LAX — smaller, faster baggage claim, and out the door in minutes.

The entire experience — from parking at CCR to walking out of BUR — felt nothing like flying commercially with a dog. It felt like we were cheating the travel system and left me wishing  that every flight was like this one. 

JSX Routes: Where Can You Fly?

JSX currently serves 27 destinations across the US and Mexico, with a mix of year-round and seasonal routes. As of July 2026, destinations include:

California:

• Concord (CCR)
• Burbank (BUR)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Santa Monica (SMO)
• Oakland / East Bay (OAK)
• Santa Ana / Orange County (SNA)
• Carlsbad / San Diego (CLD)
• Monterey (MRY)
• Napa (APC) — seasonal from BUR, SNA, and SMO

Nevada:

• Las Vegas (LAS)

Arizona:

• Scottsdale (SCF)

Texas:

• Dallas (DAL)
• Houston (HOU)

Colorado:

• Denver (APA)
• Gunnison (GUC) — seasonal ski route

New Mexico:

• Santa Fe (SAF)
• Hobbs (HOB)

Utah:

• Salt Lake City (SLC) — seasonal

Florida:

• Fort Lauderdale (FXE)
• Miami (OPF)
• West Palm Beach (PBI)
• Destin (DSI)

New York / New Jersey:

• Teterboro (TEB)
• White Plains (HPN)

Mexico:

• Cabo San Lucas — international routes available from select California airports

Routes change seasonally — always check jsx.com for the current schedule. The California network is the most robust and the most dog-owner-relevant, with CCR, BUR, OAK, SNA, SMO, MRY, CLD, and APC all serving as easy alternatives to major commercial airports.

How JSX Compares to Other Flying Options with Your Dog

This is where JSX really earns its place. Here’s how it stacks up against every other option:

Commercial Airlines (United, Delta, American, Southwest)

Pet policy: Small dogs only (typically under 20 lbs), must stay in carrier under the seat for the entire flight, $95–$150 each way. No in-cabin option for dogs over 20 lbs on most carriers.

The reality: Your dog stays in a carrier, under a seat, for the entire flight — including boarding, taxiing, and deplaning. For small, calm dogs this is manageable. For larger dogs or anxious dogs it’s significantly more stressful. Cargo is an option for larger dogs on some airlines but comes with real safety concerns and added stress for the animal.

vs. JSX: JSX wins on every dimension for dog owners. Larger dogs allowed in-cabin, small dogs can come out of their carriers during flight, and the private terminal experience means less pre-flight stress for everyone — including your dog.

Southwest Airlines

Pet policy: Small dogs under 20 lbs in-cabin, carrier must stay under seat, $99 each way. No cargo option. No large dogs.

vs. JSX: Similar fee but significantly more restrictive on size. The Southwest boarding process is also notoriously more chaotic compared to JSX’s calm private terminal experience.

JetBlue

Pet policy: Small cats and dogs in-cabin, carrier under seat, $125 each way. No large dogs, no Mint cabin pets.

vs. JSX: More routes but the same size restrictions and under-seat requirement for the entire flight. No equivalent to JSX’s large dog in-cabin policy.

Alaska Airlines

Pet policy: Small dogs and cats in-cabin, carrier under seat, $100 each way. Cargo option available for larger dogs.

vs. JSX: Cargo is not our preference for Ruby — the stress and logistics outweigh the convenience. JSX’s in-cabin large dog policy is meaningfully better for anyone traveling with a medium or large dog.

Private Charter (full charter)

Pet policy: Essentially unlimited — your dog can sit on the seat, roam the cabin, and fly however works for them.

Cost: $3,000–$15,000+ depending on aircraft and route.

vs. JSX: JSX delivers 80% of the private charter experience for 5–10% of the cost. If budget is no object, a full charter is the gold standard. For most dog owners JSX is the practical, accessible alternative.

Bark Air

Pet policy: Dogs of all sizes fly in-cabin, cage-free, no carrier required. Dogs are the primary passenger — humans are the plus-one. Pheromone-scented towels, bone broth mocktails during takeoff (the swallowing motion helps with ear pressure), puppy concierge on every flight, and noise-canceling earmuffs for anxious dogs. Routes include NY, LA, SF, Florida, Seattle, Honolulu domestically and London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Berlin internationally. Shared charter model — flights are confirmed at least 30 days before departure once minimum bookings are met.

Cost: From ~$6,000 one-way domestically (NY–LA, NY–SF); international routes from ~$8,000–$11,000. Humans fly free — the ticket covers you and your dog.

vs. JSX: Bark Air is the most dog-forward flying experience that exists — the entire product is built around your pet rather than tolerating them. If budget allows and you’re flying a route they serve, it’s the gold standard for anxious dogs or large breeds. For most practical domestic trips JSX is the more accessible option at a fraction of the cost.

K9 Jets

Pet policy: Dogs and cats of all sizes fly in-cabin on shared private jets. No crates required for dogs, soft-sided bags for cats. One seat covers up to 2 pets under 50 lbs, or 1 pet over 50 lbs. Primarily serves transatlantic routes connecting the US with Europe (NY and LA to London, Paris, and beyond) plus select intra-European legs. Calm, executive lounge atmosphere — designed for long-haul travel with anxious or large-breed dogs who have no commercial alternative.

Cost: Transatlantic routes typically $8,000–$11,000 per seat (human + dog). Shorter routes lower but still premium.

vs. JSX: K9 Jets fills a completely different need — it’s the solution for international travel with a large dog when commercial cargo isn’t an option. If you’re flying domestically, JSX is the call. If you’re taking your dog to Europe, K9 Jets is worth exploring.

RetrievAir

A newer entrant specifically designed for pet travel — RetrieveAir allows larger dogs in-cabin on select routes. Worth watching as it expands, but currently operates far fewer routes than JSX.

vs. JSX: JSX has a significantly larger network and more booking flexibility right now. RetrievAir is a great alternative if you live near metropolitan hubs. 

Driving

The honest alternative for most short-haul trips. The CCR to BUR drive is 6+ hours with Bay Area and LA traffic — JSX made that a non-decision. For trips under 3 hours by car, driving remains the lowest-stress option for most dogs.

vs. JSX: For routes that would otherwise be a 3+ hour drive, JSX wins on time and experience. For shorter trips, evaluate based on your dog’s travel temperament and your schedule.

Tips for Flying JSX with Your Dog

Book early. The 5-pet maximum per flight is a real constraint — especially on popular California routes. If you have a specific travel date, book as soon as you know it.

Choose your terminal wisely. JSX’s private terminals vary in size and amenities. CCR is small, easy, and low-stress with the terminal fully indoors. BUR sees a lot of more passengers in and out, but still doesn’t feel crowded with two lounge areas – one that indoors and one that’s open air in side the hangar. Both made the experience noticeably better than flying through a major hub.

Arrive 20 minutes before — not much more. The JSX terminal is small and intimate. 20 minutes is genuinely enough time to check in, clear security, and board. There’s no reason to arrive an hour early and even if you are an early bird you can’t check in until 2 hours before your flight. But that defeats the whole point of flying JSX. 

Bring a familiar blanket or item. We always have Ruby’s travel mat with us if she wants to lay at my feet and we pack her favorite treats and water bottle in my purse for during the flight. 

Feed and water before you arrive. JSX flights are short, but managing bathroom needs mid-flight is harder than on the ground. A potty break immediately before heading to the terminal and a light meal 2–3 hours before departure keeps things simple.

Add your pet when booking — not at check-in. JSX requires you to add your pet during the booking process. If the 5-pet limit has been reached by the time you check in, you may not be able to bring your dog. Don’t wait.

Join Club JSX. It’s free to enroll and you earn 5% back on future travel. Create a sub-profile for your dog and let them start earning miles too — you’ll want to fly JSX again anyway.

New to flying with your dog altogether? Our complete guide to flying with a dog covers everything from carrier training to health certificates and navigating the airport — a good read before your first flight with your pup.

Is JSX Worth It?

For dog owners specifically — yes. The combination of a private terminal, in-cabin policy for dogs up to 80 lbs, a calm pre-boarding experience, and the Petco partnership amenities makes JSX the best commercial flying option in the US for traveling with a dog. It’s not the cheapest way to fly, but it’s significantly less than a full private charter and significantly better than any commercial airline.

For our CCR to BUR trip, the alternative was a 6+ hour drive through Bay Area and LA traffic. JSX made it a non-decision. Ruby got a bandana, a frosted cookie, in-flight snacks, and spent the hour-long flight completely at ease beside me. That’s the JSX experience — and once you’ve done it, it’s hard to go back.

Have you flown JSX with your dog? Drop your experience in the comments — we love hearing how other traveling pups do on their flights.

And if you’re just getting started with dog-friendly travel, our step-by-step guide to traveling with your dog is the place to begin — from your first road trip to your first flight and beyond.