Just a couple weeks ago I wrote about JetSuiteX, an effort to run private-style operations at commercial-style fares. The launch was on Tuesday, and I was invited to Burbank Airport to check out the space and take a 30 minute joyride above Los Angeles. I did get on the airplane, but I never got off the ground. See, the airplane broke (a computer, actually), so it was very, very late getting to Burbank. By the time they were ready to fly, I was out of there.
For me, the most interesting piece wasn’t actually getting airborne anyway; it was seeing the interior of the aircraft and the ground operation. I put together a 2 minute video tour of the aircraft interior.
Yes, it definitely felt nice inside, and the legroom was great. The seats were fairly standard with just some nice cushioning. But the carpet. Oh, the carpet. So nice on the feet.
I’ll have to try it for real one of these days when I head up north. Right now the other end of the line is Concord, which is pretty close to Napa. And more routes and frequencies are coming soon.
On the ground, there’s work to do. I haven’t seen what it’s like in Concord but apparently that’s further along. In Burbank, they’re using an old abandoned hangar (Hangar 2, in fact) and there is only a small lounge area right now.
They’re working on gutting a piece of the hangar, adding a check in area and vastly improving the lounge. It should make a big difference. But be warned, parking is valet-only and it’s $28 a day. Stick with Uber or Lyft. (I think parking in Concord is free.)
It’s definitely an interesting effort to find a neat little niche. Anyone thought about booking JetSuiteX yet?