The present invention provides a process for producing jet fuel components from syngas. Syngas is converted to methanol and ethanol, and, optionally, higher alcohols. The methanol is separated from the ethanol and higher alcohols, and converted to C5-9 paraffins and aromatics via a dimethyl ether intermediate. The dimethyl ether is reacted over a catalyst to form jet fuel range hydrocarbons and aromatics. The ethanol and higher alcohols are dehydrated to form olefins, which are then oligomerized and, optionally, hydrogenated and/or isomerized, to form products in the jet fuel range. All or part of the two separate product streams can be combined, to provide jet fuel components which include aromatics and paraffins, ideally isoparaffins, in the jet fuel range. The syngas is in one embodiment derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for producing renewable jet fuel.