Regional Airline JetSuiteX Expands East, Backed By Qatar Investment
California charter airline JetSuite just announced an aggressive expansion for its sister company, JetSuiteX. The growth plan involves several major changes, including relocating from Southern California to Texas this summer, as well as eventually growing the airline's fleet from its current tally of five, up to around 100 Embraers by 2023, according to CEO Alex Wilcox.
JetSuiteX began offering scheduled service on 30-seat Embraer 135 regional jets in April 2016. The airline allows passengers to bypass larger airports and congested terminals by utilizing private air terminals in California and Las Vegas, with one-way fares that begin at $129.
News of the expansion comes just a couple of days after Qatar Airways acquired a minority stake in the regional airline and its sister company, JetSuiteX. JetBlue, which became a minor JetSuite investor in 2016, also increased its investment stake in the company, although neither airline disclosed the details regarding the amount of their investment. Several other private investors are also involved in the deal.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in such unique business as JetSuite and JetSuiteX," said Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker. "We believe that JetSuite and JetSuiteX deliver a truly class-leading service to the U.S. market with a huge potential for development, and we are very excited to invest in this opportunity alongside JetBlue and the other investors."
JetSuite and JetSuiteX are the brainchild of Wilcox, an early JetBlue employee. Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh is also a JetSuite director. Wilcox said that, while the JetSuiteX is still exploring its options for eastward expansion, Qatar's investment will be enough to fund upcoming growth without seeking additional funds.
"JetSuite's innovative JetSuiteX service and customer-focused approach aligns perfectly with our values at JetBlue, which is why we are so pleased that our partners at Qatar Airways are joining us in supporting this venture," Wilcox said. "We look forward to seeing JetSuite further grow on the West Coast and beyond to bring additional air travel choices to customers in underserved markets."
This isn't Qatar's first investment in other airlines. The Doha-based carrier has invested in Meridiana and Cathay, among others, and also has its sights set on America. Prior to the JetSuiteX deal, Qatar had attempted to break into the US market by wooing American Airlines for some time, hoping to acquire an unsolicited equity stake in the world's largest carrier. But American rebuffed the Middle East airline's advances amidst tense allegations of imbalanced government subsidies and a bitter dispute over the Open Skies agreement, with American going so far as to terminate its codeshare flights with both Qatar and Etihad.
In response, Qatar terminated its negotiations with American, instead announcing its investment in JetSuite this week at leading industry conference Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX). JetSuite's planned relocation to Dallas-Fort Worth this summer will put the airline squarely in American Airlines territory because the carrier is headquartered in Fort Worth. According to Wilcox, Texas offers lower costs and a larger aviation infrastructure, thanks to the local presence of both American as well as Southwest Airlines.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.