Semi-Private Flights: JSX, Aero, Blade and Surf Air Compared

Semi-private flights sit between the airlines and a private jet. You buy a seat, not the whole aircraft, but you fly a small jet or turboprop from a private terminal, check in 20 minutes or so before departure and skip the airport crowds. JSX, Aero, Blade and Surf Air are the best known in the U.S. Each works differently, so this guide compares them on what they publish, and shows when chartering a whole jet makes more sense.

The short answer: semi-private is the cheapest way to fly private-terminal-to-private-terminal if you are one or two people on a route the service flies. A whole-aircraft charter costs more in total but can cost about the same per person for a group, and flies on your schedule to the airport you choose.

The services compared

From each company's own website, checked October 5, 2026: JSX FAQ, fleet, destinations, Los Angeles fares and pet policy; Aero, fleet and FAQ, destinations and pets; Blade help, airport flights, Hamptons, luggage and pets; Surf Air and its aircraft. Schedules, routes and fares change often, especially seasonal ones.

How each one works

JSX

JSX sells seats on 30-seat jets (Embraer 135 and 145) and, on some routes from Santa Monica, ATR 42 turboprops, all from private terminals. Its site says flights are public charters sold by JetSuiteX, Inc. as charter operator and flown by Delux Public Charter, LLC as the direct air carrier, under the Department of Transportation's public charter rules. Fares from Los Angeles start at $229 one way, in two fare types: "Hop On" with two checked bags and "All In" with three. JSX asks passengers to arrive at least 20 minutes before a domestic flight (30 with bags) and describes a TSA-approved security program with passenger vetting and screening. It also charters a whole aircraft, from $25,000 each way for up to 30 passengers.

Aero

Aero sells seats on a 16-seat Embraer ERJ 135 between private terminals, mostly between Los Angeles and resort destinations, and charters its whole aircraft, including a Legacy 600 and a Gulfstream IV. "AeroShare" lets a charter's organizer sell the empty seats at a price they set. Its site says flights in North America are operated by USAC Airways 695 LLC, dba Aero, with Aero Technologies Inc. acting as an indirect air carrier under the public charter rules. Aero does not publish fares on its site. Check-in is curbside, 20 minutes before the flight.

Blade

Blade is best known for helicopter seats from Manhattan to JFK and Newark (from $195) and to the Hamptons (from $795 a seat by helicopter, seaplane or turboprop). Its BLADEone jet service between Westchester and Miami or Palm Beach runs seasonally, sold in seat packs. Blade describes itself as an air charter broker and indirect air carrier: the flights are operated by licensed carriers. Joby Aviation completed its purchase of Blade's passenger business in August 2025, and Blade now operates as a Joby subsidiary (Joby).

Surf Air

Surf Air sells memberships for scheduled regional flights on nine-seat Cessna Grand Caravan turboprops, operated by Southern Airways Express and, in Hawaii, Mokulele Airlines. Its booking site lists membership from $199 a month for pay-as-you-fly access. Surf Air also arranges on-demand charter, from small piston aircraft to ultra-long-range jets, through other operators.

What "public charter" means

JSX, Aero and some Blade flights are sold as public charters under the Department of Transportation's 14 CFR Part 380: a charter operator arranges and sells the flights, and a certificated "direct air carrier" operates them (eCFR). That is how these services can sell individual seats on small aircraft from private terminals. The aircraft and crews are still operated under an FAA air carrier certificate.

A private charter is different: you hire the whole aircraft from an operator holding an FAA Part 135 certificate, and nobody else is on board. Part 91 vs 121 vs 135 explains the rule sets.

Semi-private or a whole jet?

Semi-private wins on price for one or two people on a route the service flies. A whole-aircraft charter wins when you want your own schedule, an airport the service does not serve, a larger group, or the cabin to yourselves.

Here is what a whole jet costs between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, a classic semi-private route, split among six passengers:

Flight time times published jet card rates (checked October 2, 2026), before airport fees and peak-day surcharges; a charter quote also prices repositioning. Every option is on the Los Angeles to Las Vegas cost page, and every route from Los Angeles is on the Los Angeles hub.

Against a JSX fare from $229, a whole jet costs many times more per person on a short hop. The gap narrows on longer trips and bigger groups, and it disappears when the semi-private service doesn't fly the route or the day you need. Every route from your city is on our private jet cost pages.

Flying semi-private with a dog

Dogs are one of the most common reasons people look at semi-private. JSX allows dogs under 80 pounds on the floor when you buy the adjoining seat, and small pets in a carrier for $100; Aero allows pets under 20 pounds in a carrier and larger dogs in their own paid seat, up to two large dogs a flight; Blade carries small dogs on its helicopters and jet, and pets fly free on its charters. On a whole-aircraft charter, the operator sets the rules. Flying with a large dog compares every option.