JSX vs commercial vs charter
With an airline you buy a seat and board at the main terminal. With a charter you hire the whole aircraft and board at a private terminal. JSX sits between them: you buy one seat, on a 30-seat aircraft, and board at a private terminal.
Side by side
| What | JSX | Airline | Charter |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you buy | One seat | One seat | The whole aircraft |
| Where you board | A private terminal | The airline terminal | A private terminal (FBO) |
| When to be there | At least 20 minutes before a domestic flight; 45 for international | Set by the airline | Set by your charter company |
| Security and ID | Vetted through TSA Secure Flight; a REAL ID or other accepted ID is required | TSA checkpoint | Ask your charter company |
| Aircraft | 30-seat jets and turboprops | Varies | Whatever you hire |
The JSX column is from JSX's own FAQ. The other columns describe how those kinds of flight work in general.
What stays the same on JSX
You still need valid ID, and JSX says IDs must be REAL ID compliant. Bags have size and battery rules. It is a scheduled flight with a fixed departure time, so the check-in cut-off is real.
What changes on JSX
The building. JSX flies from private terminals at 29 airports listed here, none of them the main airline terminal. Parking, drop-off and how early to arrive all differ by terminal. See every JSX terminal and address.
Aero
Aero works the same way in outline: single seats between private terminals. We have not verified its check-in or ID rules. Aero's terminals are listed here.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.
More guides
- What is a private terminal (FBO)?The small building your private or semi-private flight leaves from, and why its exact name matters.
- Can Uber pick up at a private jet terminal?Usually yes, at the front door. Where it works, where it does not, and what to tell the driver.
- How early should you arrive for a private flight?The published check-in times for JSX, and who sets the time for a charter.