Skip LAX: $49 First Class Companion Fares From Santa Monica To Vegas, Napa, Scottsdale And Oakland

JSX is offering $49 companion fares on every route it flies from Santa Monica Airport. Book Monday, August 31 or Tuesday, September 1 using promo code FLYSMO for travel through October 31. The first passenger pays the prevailng fare. If the regular fare is $149, for instance, two people travel for $198 ($99 each) plus taxes. When JSX first disclosed plans to serve Santa Monica, it hadn’t identified a single destination. I guessed Las Vegas, Oakland, Scottsdale and Napa. That’s their four, and the offer applies for each: Las Vegas (LAS) Napa County Airport (APC) Scottsdale Airport (SCF) Oakland Airport (OAK) Travel can begin immediately, though Oakland service doesn’t begin until September 14. Flights can be booked at JSX.com. The value here isn’t simply knocking $100 or $200 off a second ticket. JSX flies from Santa Monica Airport, six miles north of LAX, using a private terminal-style facility. Passengers can arrive 20 before departure. Napa County Airport gets out to wine country without flying to San Francisco and driving. Scottsdale Airport avoids Phoenix. Oakland is useful for the East Bay. Las Vegas uses the primary airport but a private terminal for convenience. JSX operates the Santa Monica flights with 30-seat ATR 42-600 turboprops. There are no middle seats, Starlink internet is free, and fares include two checked bags along with snacks and drinks. It’s basically a first class product. Santa Monica may be the most hostile airport environment in the country for launching scheduled passenger service. The city spent decades restricting operations, shortened the runway to 3,500 feet and plans to close the airport after December 31, 2028. JSX nevertheless secured an operating permit and lease, while residents filed suit arguing that the approvals required environmental review. JSX found an aircraft that can operate from the shortened runway and persuaded a city committed to closing the airport that they were required to grant access. They’re selling time and a better experience, and for a couple of days they’re selling it cheaper. Topics on this page