Staff Reports | Community Updates
A Scottsdale-branded aircraft featuring cacti-dotted mountains and a Sonoran Desert sunrise landed at Scottsdale Airport Oct. 7, marking the debut of a new tourism marketing campaign.
The aircraft arrived with 30 passengers from Hollywood Burbank Airport and is part of a two-year partnership between Experience Scottsdale and JSX, a semi-private airline that has operated from Scottsdale Airport since 2024, according to a press release.
Over the next two years, Experience Scottsdale will collaborate with JSX on initiatives aimed at the airline’s 1 million regular travelers. The aircraft is one of the campaign’s most visible elements. JSX serves nine direct-flight markets from Scottsdale, including Burbank.
“One of the most effective ways we reach the luxury consumer is by partnering with premier travel brands like JSX,” Experience Scottsdale President and CEO Rachel Sacco said. “Their customer base aligns closely with the high-end travelers we’re hoping to reach, and we’re excited for this partnership that will position Scottsdale as the premier choice for a luxury escape.”
Passengers on the inaugural flight included members of the media, content creators and luxury travel advisers. Scottsdale Senior Director of Tourism and Economic Development Kevin Burke and Scottsdale Vice Mayor Maryann McAllen, who serves as the council liaison to Experience Scottsdale’s board of directors, joined Ms. Sacco and Experience Scottsdale staff to provide information about Scottsdale and its tourism offerings.
Before the flight, Experience Scottsdale hosted an event at the JSX Burbank hangar featuring desert-inspired treats from Scottsdale Cookie Co. and Western-themed activities, including a leather embossing station for luggage tags and passport covers.
“I felt such immense pride in our city as I saw Scottsdale so beautifully represented on the runway, and I know residents will feel the same whenever they see the plane flying to and from Scottsdale Airport,” Vice Mayor Maryann McAllen, who serves on the Experience Scottsdale Board of Directors, said.
“It was an honor to join Experience Scottsdale for this trip and witness firsthand how they share their enthusiasm for Scottsdale with potential visitors.”
Passengers also received Scottsdale-themed gifts and information, including candles from Scottsdale-based Light + Bark Candle Co., copies of the Scottsdale Visitor Guide and the city of Scottsdale’s Old Town Passports, and teal cowboy hats featuring Experience Scottsdale’s agave logo.
Experience Scottsdale also incorporated a horseshoe into the aircraft’s doorframe, inspired by a travel superstition. Passengers can tap the horseshoe for good luck when boarding. The design includes a QR code offering travelers a chance to win a monthly prize.
“Our partnership with Experience Scottsdale is rooted in a shared commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience and bringing more people closer to everything the area has to offer,” JSX President David Drabinsky said. “Scottsdale has become a cornerstone of the JSX network, and together we’re making it easier than ever to visit with the speed and convenience of flying JSX directly into Scottsdale Airport. We’re thrilled to deepen our roots here and find new, creative ways to introduce even more customers to this incredible destination.”
Experience Scottsdale and JSX plan additional activations, content creator trips and flash sales during the two-year partnership. In June, JSX offered a 48-hour sale providing customers 50% off flights when traveling to Scottsdale through Sept. 30. The promotion resulted in more than 5,100 booked flights for the summer.
