Air carrier JSX, which currently flies 50-seat regional jets with just 30 seats and operates their all first class product from private terminals, announced plans to acquire up to 332 hybrid electric aircraft with expected delivery beginning in 2028.
- Up to 82 9-seat Electra eSTOLs (32 firm orders, 50 options)
- Up to 150 19-seat Aura Aero Eras (50 firm orders, 100 options)
- Up to 100 30-seat Heart Aerospace ES-30s (50 firm order, 50 options)
Credit: Aura Aero
JSX operates largely short trips from private terminals with low passenger numbers already. Electric aircraft are a natural extension of their business model. JSX had announced an order for electric aircraft in 2021, which isn’t mentioned here.
At the same time, the political nature and timing of this order is evident in JSX’s release.
Following the Biden administration’s call last week for the aviation industry to cut carbon emissions and create more good paying U.S. jobs, JSX expects to take delivery of its first hybrid-electric aircraft in 2028, shepherding the next chapter of regional aviation as the first in its category to adopt this impactful cutting-edge renewable energy technology.
The Biden administration DOT, under pressure from pilot unions and competitors also based in Dallas, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, has been considering a rulemaking that would ban their business model of selling individual seats on charter flights that have the benefit of using private terminals.
However a leader in the transition away from aircraft fossil fuels, trumpeting their support for “good paying U.S. jobs,” may be less of an attractive political target?
Meanwhile, part-owner of JSX United Airlines trumpeted a $1 billion order of eVTOL aircraft nearly three years ago and has made other investments in carbon reducing technology. Repped by former Obama spokesperson Josh Earnest, United has had perhaps the strongest relationship with the Biden administration. (Following United’s order at the start of the Biden administration, American announced one, too.)
The biggest challenge to any electric aircraft order coming to fruition is the years’ long process the FAA will employ for certification. No order described as firm is, in fact, firm at this point because the planes themselves cannot be sold and flown.
JSX’s 132 ‘firm orders’ appears to be valuable, though perhaps not at that number right away. The quickest value is political. Terms are not announced. But even if all three manufacturers make it to market (a long shot) I wouldn’t expect any airline to take so many very fast.
I have had increasing interest in JSX, esp. since they are moving to fly from SDL instead of PHX. I just priced a flight with them. However this is pandering to the Climate Cult. I rapidly lose interest in people and businesses that do that. Sorry, JSX.
What a waste of electrons. Just like the mass produced flying car, its never going to materialize.
Biden wants the US Aviation sector to provide more high paying US jobs…meanwhile its the liberals who support getting rid of pilots and choking the industry. Spirit / Jetblue fails….you’ll see job loses on both sides.
JSX is an outstanding product, only hated by those in the industry who compete or those who have not flown with them.
It will be interesting to see how the hybrid model stands up to the high battery cycling requirements of commercial air travel aircraft.
United announced a zero-penalty “expression of interest”. I myself have announced the same thing but for twice as many aircraft, making me larger than United in the space.
Is burning fossil fuels good? No. Hybrid tech is a proven way to reduce that. Show of support is good, regardless of motivation.
Love JSX but no chance I’m flying on new aircraft without a track record.
Any airline that eliminates the cost of fuel from the their operating costs would seem to be making a very smart decision…assuming these planes will get certified it seems like a very cost effective way to provide air service to small markets.
Too funny the politically motivated climate deniers commenting. On one side you have the Cable News educated folks who beyond what they watch on their favorite news show know little or nothing about science or how research is conducted…. many of them are the same people that actually believe the Election Lie ( I.E. gullible and not particularly deep thinkers). On the other hand you have the Scientific community that dedicated their lives to studying the environment. The Scientific community is about as close as possible to being unanimous that Climate Change is a serious issue and fossil fuels contribute to the problem and reducing it’s use is important.
JSX is awesome … never seen anyone get angry at staff, crowd the boarding door, try and rush to the front when the plane lands, put their bare feet on someone else’s seat, etc … seems people who are willing to pay to avoid the hoi polloi are more pleasant to travel with
Consider me a skeptic who thinks this is another company feeding on the Green Govt trough. If EV’s are being questioned regarding their greeness how could an Electric plane with batteries many times the weight of fuel be feasible. Solyndra in spades.
It’s amazing to watch the naysayers. Who knows what’s going to evolve next. Tesla has the best selling car in the world, yet people think electric aircraft are a fantasy? They’ve only been delivering cars for 15 years (mainstream cars for 10). Sure it’s going to take a bit and there will be some stumbles, but such is innovation.
Sad to see people fighting it. I hope we all get to live to see these innovations.
“Sure it’s going to take a bit and there will be some stumbles, but such is innovation.”
This isn’t “innovation”, it’s “regression”. The electric vehicle was around 100 years ago and lost out to ICE for good reason and nothing has changed. If it weren’t for government subsidies and force, Telsa probably wouldn’t have survived. And if it did, it would be little more than a niche product, for those looking for an expensive toy or a desire to virtue signal.
If the government determines that JSX is actually operating within the FARs, both in the spirit and the letter, is there any reason the majors couldn’t operate in the same rules? Or, maybe have a subsidiary that replicates JSX?
“This isn’t “innovation”, it’s “regression”. The electric vehicle was around 100 years ago and lost out to ICE for good reason and nothing has changed. If it weren’t for government subsidies and force, Telsa probably wouldn’t have survived.”
They had lithium batteries 100 years ago? You mean GM and others didn’t go bankrupt during the Great Recession?
@Greg B – pilot contracts they’ve agreed to, mostly, which would limit the benefit of their doing so. They can’t just start a new carrier and staff them with pilots from outside the union. And one of the benefits of the JSX model they object to is precisely that they have access to pilots that part 121 carriers do not (it’s not just the private terminals).
Thanks JohnW for the laugh of the year ! JSX will not need to be for fuel LMAO!
The laws of physics aren’t waived for JSX and they will indeed need fuel, in the form of electrons, to fly. And there will be a cost for those electrons, which will also need to have the equivalent taxes levied to them to fund the air transport system. Based on the current prices for electrons at Tesla Superchargers the fuel cost for an electric aircraft will very likely be equivalent to using Jet A.
Need to study some history, Jake. Also, learn how to avoid comparing apples and oranges.
The JSX product is very good. The feeling of flying in a business jet at the cost of a premium economy seat. While the electric airplane concept is definitely a bit far-fetched, few criticized Amazon on their drone delivery to your home publicity stunt.
With ALPA fighting the age 67 limit there will be plenty of pilots ready to try something that’s cutting edge. Sign me up!!!
Love it
Yes John W, also made my day. 2025 is coming and how many scientists were wrong! Just brutal.
James, would appreciate a bit of elaboration. Please enlighten me.
Just had to share this article on this subject in the Dallas Morning News:
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2023/12/19/dallas-jet-carrier-jsx-puts-in-orders-for-up-to-300-hybrid-electric-planes/
The author has no concept of jet vs, prop aircraft, including gems like this: “All the jets are propeller aircraft that are set to enter the market in the coming years.”
@Bill, turboprops are jet engines that produce most of their thrust from a propeller driven by shaft power through a gearbox.
You stupid republicans wouldn’t know a liberal if they were sitting on one. You can’t blame Biden for everything on earth. I can’t wait until you lose big. Your 92 felony count EX President is going down in flames. Really. p.s. at this point in the race the leading candidate hasn’t won in years. I really hate you republicans. Go off and die please!
Those who are dismissive of the electric plane concept should look at what Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation are accomplishing. Both have substantial financial backing from legacy carriers.
Gary, not one of the orders is an eVTOL (V for Vertical).
No doubt this order is newsworthy, but let’s get the facts straight.
My view is that eSTOL & eCTOL aircraft are certainly going to precede eVTOL aircraft into service. This is due to the significant technological challenges with vertical take off and landing, plus the transition to wingborn mode, when powered by electric systems. Them preceding is a good thing as it will be foundational in establishing operating and maintenance practices for electric aircraft.
You’re exactly right Rod….obviously some people have a hard time grasping the fact that the technology evolves. Rapidly in this day and age. The leap in efficiency that the 737 max made from the original 707 took decades, the evolution of E planes will be much quicker.