Podcast Summary: The Air Show

Episode: ATR Bets on JSX

Host: Shayr Media
Date: January 16, 2026
Panelists: Jon Ostrower (Editor in Chief, The Air Current), Brian Sumers (Author, The Airline Observer)
Theme: Regional aviation in the US, focusing on JSX’s adoption of the ATR 42-600, and the broader fate of turboprops in the American market.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers dive into JSX's bold move to add ATR 42-600 turboprops to its fleet, the significance for both JSX and ATR, and what this says about the state of regional aviation in North America. With co-host Brett Snyder away, the conversation splits into two main parts:

JSX’s strategy and experiment with the ATR.
The challenges and opportunities facing ATR and turboprops in the US market.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brett Snyder’s Avgeek Adventure (00:00–01:20)

Brett is on an "avgeek" trip in Mexico, flying all seven Mexican commercial jet operators.
Sets the tone for the episode’s nerdy, insider perspective.

2. New Turboprop Action: JSX and ATR Event (01:48–02:35)

Jon and Brian attended an event at Santa Monica Airport to try JSX’s new leased ATR 42-600.
Spoke with JSX CEO Alex Wilcox and ATR CEO Natalie Tarnowski about market prospects.

3. ATR’s Struggle to Break into the US Market (02:36–05:17)

ATR has a modern, efficient airplane with little current competition, especially since the Q400 is out of production.
Yet, larger US airlines have shown persistent disinterest.
“They were kind of honest and they said, yeah, we’re a little bit disappointed that the larger US airlines don’t take us seriously.” (Brian, 03:34)
Jon highlights the historical decline of turboprops in the US and lays out ATR’s multi-step US reentry plan.

4. JSX: From Near-Death to Experimentation with ATR (05:18–10:54)

JSX barely survived regulatory challenges and internal turmoil 18 months ago, but leadership changes in Washington reversed its fortunes.
JSX leases four ATR 42-600s, aiming to use them on short routes from FBOs (private terminals) for passengers who value time savings and convenience over luxury.
Maintenance support and parts provided by ATR to make the trial as smooth as possible.
Notable quote from Alex Wilcox (JSX CEO):

“We've structured it in a way that gives us optionality. And if it's an unmitigated disaster…we can get out at very low cost. Right. That was our imperative. I'm not going to bet the company on this. This is an experiment.” (Jon quoting Wilcox, 10:11)

5. Passenger Experience – The Turboprop Perception (10:54–15:00)

Turboprops typically have a reputation for being noisy, old, and less comfortable, a legacy from the 1990s.
JSX’s ATR, despite being newer and a bit roomier than CRJs, is not luxurious—seats are “rock hard.” But the value for passengers is the streamlined experience, not typical inflight amenities.
“The seats weren’t particularly luxurious…But it’s pretty much like first class, say on an [Embraer] 175. So what makes JSX worth flying is not necessarily the on the plane experience. It’s more about that time…” (Brian, 15:00)

6. Convenience, Not Comfort, as Core Value (14:54–16:08)

JSX’s real competitive edge isn’t inflight comfort—it’s enabling passengers to arrive 20 minutes before departure and skip terminal chaos.
Wilcox intentionally doesn’t invest in luxury interiors because customers want efficient, frictionless travel.

7. The Airport Equation: The Real Promise of Turboprops (16:09–18:10)

Most US short-haul airport pairs aren't served by regional aircraft; JSX’s model unlocks smaller airports (beyond the ~500 Part 139 airports) using turboprops.
The challenge: many of these airports lack amenities like Uber or rental car access, which may limit customer uptake.
Wilcox believes driverless cars may solve this, but Jon expresses skepticism.

8. JSX’s Risks and Resilience (18:11–21:45)

JSX’s high operating costs rely on continued strong consumer demand.
In an economic downturn or with renewed legacy carrier interest or regulatory pressure, JSX could be vulnerable.
“His [Wilcox’s] biggest fear with the ATR, it’s that someone walks into a propeller and that would end turboprop flying real fast. So he said, everybody’s being very, very, very careful.” (Brian, 20:49)
Legacy carriers (especially American and Southwest) could try fighting JSX by matching the customer experience rather than using regulatory obstacles.

9. The ATR 42-600: Aircraft Details & Market Fit (22:40–25:43)

Background of ATR as a JV between Airbus and Leonardo; only viable regional prop since Q400 production stopped.
ATR 42-600 is a niche product (rare globally) but features improved avionics, glass cockpit, and a new, more efficient XT engine.
ATR is targeting US majors with the idea of a 50-seat, upgraded 3-class configuration as a possible CRJ-550 replacement, but inertia and legacy biases toward jets persist.

10. Hawaiian & Alaska: Why Not the ATR? (25:44–30:26)

Hawaiian Airlines needs to replace its 717s, but even though ATRs are sized for small markets and have local history, they're not under serious consideration due to capacity and operational issues.
US airlines’ bias toward jets: even for short flights, jets offer flexibility and perceived passenger preference.

11. ATR’s Big Hurdles: Engine, Perception, and Scale (30:27–32:53)

One engine supplier (Pratt & Whitney) drives up maintenance cost worries, though ATR’s new engine offers lower costs.
Small production scale (about 3 aircraft/month) limits choice and potentially drives cost concerns.
“This is ATR’s Airbus A300 moment,” says Jon—referring to Airbus’s tactic of seeding new markets with low-risk leases. ATR is trying the same with JSX, hoping for a domino effect if the experiment works.

“As you know, 350 seat regional jets hit retirement over the next several years. The opportunity is huge, but the obstacles are too.” (Jon, 32:44)

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

On ATR’s hopes in the US:
“They were kind of honest and they said, yeah, we’re a little bit disappointed that the larger US airlines don’t take us seriously.” — Brian (03:34)
On JSX’s experiment:
"We've structured it in a way that gives us optionality. And if it's an unmitigated disaster...we can get out at very low cost. Right. That was our imperative. I'm not going to bet the company on this. This is an experiment." — Alex Wilcox (via Jon, 10:11)
On passenger value:
“What makes JSX worth flying is not necessarily the on the plane experience. It’s more about that time you can check in 20 minutes before the flight and you don’t have friction.” — Brian (15:00)
On legacy airline threats:
“American could use its main terminal...Maybe special security screening...Maybe some bonus miles. I don't even think they'd have to use a special airplane because JSX interiors, they're not that special.” — Brian (21:20)
On ATR’s prospects:
“This is ATR’s Airbus A300 moment...Start with the part 135 operators like JSX and then look at the network majors to see if they’ll take the bait. As you know, 350 seat regional jets hit retirement over the next several years. The opportunity is huge, but the obstacles are too.” — Jon (32:09, 32:44)

Timestamps of Key Segments

00:00–01:20 — Brett’s Mexican airline quest
01:48–02:35 — Turboprop event at Santa Monica and background
02:36–05:17 — The decline and attempted revival of ATR in the US
05:18–10:54 — JSX’s rationale and the experiment’s operational setup
10:54–14:52 — Passenger experience on the ATR 42-600
14:54–16:08 — Why JSX focuses on convenience, not luxuries
16:09–18:10 — The significance of non-hub airport access
18:11–21:45 — Risks to JSX and legacy airline reactions
22:40–25:43 — ATR42-600 details and the US market fit
25:44–30:26 — Why Hawaiian/Alaska aren't biting; major US hurdles
30:27–32:53 — Engine maintenance, production scale, and summary outlook

Conclusion

Summary:
JSX’s experiment with ATR turboprops—backed by operational support and a flexible leasing deal—seeks to revive a nearly extinct regional air travel model in the US by prioritizing time savings over luxury. ATR, for its part, sees this as a pivotal moment to reenter the North American market, but faces serious obstacles: entrenched jet preference, infrastructure unsuited to its aircraft, and cost/scale challenges. The hosts remain cautiously optimistic about the test's promise for unlocking more small-airport connectivity, but recognize that changing industry habits will take time, luck, and possibly more innovation.

Podcast Summary: The Air Show

Episode: ATR Bets on JSX

Episode Overview

JSX’s strategy and experiment with the ATR.
The challenges and opportunities facing ATR and turboprops in the US market.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brett Snyder’s Avgeek Adventure (00:00–01:20)

Brett is on an "avgeek" trip in Mexico, flying all seven Mexican commercial jet operators.
Sets the tone for the episode’s nerdy, insider perspective.

2. New Turboprop Action: JSX and ATR Event (01:48–02:35)

Jon and Brian attended an event at Santa Monica Airport to try JSX’s new leased ATR 42-600.
Spoke with JSX CEO Alex Wilcox and ATR CEO Natalie Tarnowski about market prospects.

3. ATR’s Struggle to Break into the US Market (02:36–05:17)

ATR has a modern, efficient airplane with little current competition, especially since the Q400 is out of production.
Yet, larger US airlines have shown persistent disinterest.
“They were kind of honest and they said, yeah, we’re a little bit disappointed that the larger US airlines don’t take us seriously.” (Brian, 03:34)
Jon highlights the historical decline of turboprops in the US and lays out ATR’s multi-step US reentry plan.

4. JSX: From Near-Death to Experimentation with ATR (05:18–10:54)

JSX barely survived regulatory challenges and internal turmoil 18 months ago, but leadership changes in Washington reversed its fortunes.
JSX leases four ATR 42-600s, aiming to use them on short routes from FBOs (private terminals) for passengers who value time savings and convenience over luxury.
Maintenance support and parts provided by ATR to make the trial as smooth as possible.
Notable quote from Alex Wilcox (JSX CEO):

“We've structured it in a way that gives us optionality. And if it's an unmitigated disaster…we can get out at very low cost. Right. That was our imperative. I'm not going to bet the company on this. This is an experiment.” (Jon quoting Wilcox, 10:11)

5. Passenger Experience – The Turboprop Perception (10:54–15:00)

Turboprops typically have a reputation for being noisy, old, and less comfortable, a legacy from the 1990s.
JSX’s ATR, despite being newer and a bit roomier than CRJs, is not luxurious—seats are “rock hard.” But the value for passengers is the streamlined experience, not typical inflight amenities.
“The seats weren’t particularly luxurious…But it’s pretty much like first class, say on an [Embraer] 175. So what makes JSX worth flying is not necessarily the on the plane experience. It’s more about that time…” (Brian, 15:00)

6. Convenience, Not Comfort, as Core Value (14:54–16:08)

JSX’s real competitive edge isn’t inflight comfort—it’s enabling passengers to arrive 20 minutes before departure and skip terminal chaos.
Wilcox intentionally doesn’t invest in luxury interiors because customers want efficient, frictionless travel.

7. The Airport Equation: The Real Promise of Turboprops (16:09–18:10)

Most US short-haul airport pairs aren't served by regional aircraft; JSX’s model unlocks smaller airports (beyond the ~500 Part 139 airports) using turboprops.
The challenge: many of these airports lack amenities like Uber or rental car access, which may limit customer uptake.
Wilcox believes driverless cars may solve this, but Jon expresses skepticism.

8. JSX’s Risks and Resilience (18:11–21:45)

JSX’s high operating costs rely on continued strong consumer demand.
In an economic downturn or with renewed legacy carrier interest or regulatory pressure, JSX could be vulnerable.
“His [Wilcox’s] biggest fear with the ATR, it’s that someone walks into a propeller and that would end turboprop flying real fast. So he said, everybody’s being very, very, very careful.” (Brian, 20:49)
Legacy carriers (especially American and Southwest) could try fighting JSX by matching the customer experience rather than using regulatory obstacles.

9. The ATR 42-600: Aircraft Details & Market Fit (22:40–25:43)

Background of ATR as a JV between Airbus and Leonardo; only viable regional prop since Q400 production stopped.
ATR 42-600 is a niche product (rare globally) but features improved avionics, glass cockpit, and a new, more efficient XT engine.
ATR is targeting US majors with the idea of a 50-seat, upgraded 3-class configuration as a possible CRJ-550 replacement, but inertia and legacy biases toward jets persist.

10. Hawaiian & Alaska: Why Not the ATR? (25:44–30:26)

Hawaiian Airlines needs to replace its 717s, but even though ATRs are sized for small markets and have local history, they're not under serious consideration due to capacity and operational issues.
US airlines’ bias toward jets: even for short flights, jets offer flexibility and perceived passenger preference.

11. ATR’s Big Hurdles: Engine, Perception, and Scale (30:27–32:53)

One engine supplier (Pratt & Whitney) drives up maintenance cost worries, though ATR’s new engine offers lower costs.
Small production scale (about 3 aircraft/month) limits choice and potentially drives cost concerns.
“This is ATR’s Airbus A300 moment,” says Jon—referring to Airbus’s tactic of seeding new markets with low-risk leases. ATR is trying the same with JSX, hoping for a domino effect if the experiment works.

“As you know, 350 seat regional jets hit retirement over the next several years. The opportunity is huge, but the obstacles are too.” (Jon, 32:44)

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

On ATR’s hopes in the US:
“They were kind of honest and they said, yeah, we’re a little bit disappointed that the larger US airlines don’t take us seriously.” — Brian (03:34)
On JSX’s experiment:
"We've structured it in a way that gives us optionality. And if it's an unmitigated disaster...we can get out at very low cost. Right. That was our imperative. I'm not going to bet the company on this. This is an experiment." — Alex Wilcox (via Jon, 10:11)
On passenger value:
“What makes JSX worth flying is not necessarily the on the plane experience. It’s more about that time you can check in 20 minutes before the flight and you don’t have friction.” — Brian (15:00)
On legacy airline threats:
“American could use its main terminal...Maybe special security screening...Maybe some bonus miles. I don't even think they'd have to use a special airplane because JSX interiors, they're not that special.” — Brian (21:20)
On ATR’s prospects:
“This is ATR’s Airbus A300 moment...Start with the part 135 operators like JSX and then look at the network majors to see if they’ll take the bait. As you know, 350 seat regional jets hit retirement over the next several years. The opportunity is huge, but the obstacles are too.” — Jon (32:09, 32:44)

Timestamps of Key Segments

00:00–01:20 — Brett’s Mexican airline quest
01:48–02:35 — Turboprop event at Santa Monica and background
02:36–05:17 — The decline and attempted revival of ATR in the US
05:18–10:54 — JSX’s rationale and the experiment’s operational setup
10:54–14:52 — Passenger experience on the ATR 42-600
14:54–16:08 — Why JSX focuses on convenience, not luxuries
16:09–18:10 — The significance of non-hub airport access
18:11–21:45 — Risks to JSX and legacy airline reactions
22:40–25:43 — ATR42-600 details and the US market fit
25:44–30:26 — Why Hawaiian/Alaska aren't biting; major US hurdles
30:27–32:53 — Engine maintenance, production scale, and summary outlook

ATR Bets on JSX

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Summary

Podcast Summary: The Air Show

Episode: ATR Bets on JSX

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brett Snyder’s Avgeek Adventure (00:00–01:20)

2. New Turboprop Action: JSX and ATR Event (01:48–02:35)

3. ATR’s Struggle to Break into the US Market (02:36–05:17)

4. JSX: From Near-Death to Experimentation with ATR (05:18–10:54)

5. Passenger Experience – The Turboprop Perception (10:54–15:00)

6. Convenience, Not Comfort, as Core Value (14:54–16:08)

7. The Airport Equation: The Real Promise of Turboprops (16:09–18:10)

8. JSX’s Risks and Resilience (18:11–21:45)

9. The ATR 42-600: Aircraft Details & Market Fit (22:40–25:43)

10. Hawaiian & Alaska: Why Not the ATR? (25:44–30:26)

11. ATR’s Big Hurdles: Engine, Perception, and Scale (30:27–32:53)

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

Timestamps of Key Segments

Conclusion

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Air Show

Episode: ATR Bets on JSX

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brett Snyder’s Avgeek Adventure (00:00–01:20)

2. New Turboprop Action: JSX and ATR Event (01:48–02:35)

3. ATR’s Struggle to Break into the US Market (02:36–05:17)

4. JSX: From Near-Death to Experimentation with ATR (05:18–10:54)

5. Passenger Experience – The Turboprop Perception (10:54–15:00)

6. Convenience, Not Comfort, as Core Value (14:54–16:08)

7. The Airport Equation: The Real Promise of Turboprops (16:09–18:10)

8. JSX’s Risks and Resilience (18:11–21:45)

9. The ATR 42-600: Aircraft Details & Market Fit (22:40–25:43)

10. Hawaiian & Alaska: Why Not the ATR? (25:44–30:26)

11. ATR’s Big Hurdles: Engine, Perception, and Scale (30:27–32:53)

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

Timestamps of Key Segments

Conclusion