10 Best Empty Leg Routes in the United States in 2026
The country’s busiest charter corridors create thousands of one-way private jet deals each month — if you know where to look and when.
What You’ll Learn:
- The 10 US routes with the deepest empty leg inventory in 2026
- Realistic pricing for each route by aircraft category
- The seasonal patterns that swing pricing by 40% or more
- Which airports and FBOs to target for the cleanest deals
- How to stack routes into a multi-stop trip on the cheap
The best empty leg routes in the United States are not random scraps. They follow a clear pattern — a charter client flies one way, the aircraft has to reposition somewhere next, and operators sell that empty seat-for-seat instead of burning fuel for nothing. That same pattern repeats tens of thousands of times a year on a handful of dominant corridors.
According to the National Business Aviation Association, business aviation in the US handled more than 4 million flight operations in 2025, with traffic concentrated heavily across fewer than 40 city pairs. That concentration produces predictable empty leg supply on the same routes month after month.
This guide ranks the 10 US routes that deliver the most deals — with realistic prices, the right aircraft to target, and the seasonal windows when discounts are deepest. New to the format? Start with our overview of what empty leg flights are and how they work.
How US Empty Legs Differ From the European Market
The US is a longer-haul market with bigger aircraft, deeper inventory, and sharper seasonality on a few specific corridors. That changes how empty legs look in practice.
Longer Legs, Bigger Cabins
European empty legs are typically under 90 minutes. US legs often run three to five hours coast-to-coast. The longer the leg, the more aircraft category matters: super midsize and heavy jets dominate transcontinental empty leg listings, while light jets cover regional corridors.
Two-Coast Seasonality
US seasonality runs on two coasts at the same time. East Coast traffic peaks in summer (Hamptons, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard) and again in winter (Florida, Caribbean). West Coast traffic peaks year-round around Las Vegas, Aspen in winter, and Cabo and Hawaii in shoulder seasons. The cross-country I-80 and I-10 corridors stay busy almost every week.
FBO Density Drives Pricing
Teterboro, Van Nuys, and Opa-locka each handle hundreds of departures daily. That density compresses pricing and creates fast turnover. By contrast, smaller airports like East Hampton and Aspen have slot restrictions that lock departure times tight, but reward early notification alerts.
The 10 Best Empty Leg Routes in the United States
Each route below ranks high for empty leg volume, predictable seasonality, and a cabin/range fit that keeps total cost reasonable.
1. New York ↔ Miami (KTEB ↔ KOPF / KPBI)
The single busiest charter corridor in the United States. Teterboro to Opa-locka and Palm Beach International runs constantly all winter, and the seasonal flip in May produces a wave of northbound empty legs as snowbirds head home.
- Flight time: 2h 45m
- Best aircraft: Citation Latitude, Challenger 350, Praetor 600
- Empty leg price: $9,000 to $14,500 one-way
- Peak supply window: Northbound May–June; southbound October–November
If you want to ride the seasonal turn, target empty legs northbound from Florida in May. See our route guide on private jets from New York to Miami for FBO logistics and timing.
2. Los Angeles ↔ Las Vegas (KVNY / KSMO ↔ KHND / KLAS)
The weekend shuttle. Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings move thousands of private travelers between the LA Basin and Las Vegas. Aircraft reposition constantly, and midweek empty legs are plentiful — especially when the strip has fight nights, conferences, or NHL/NBA games on the schedule.
- Flight time: 50m
- Best aircraft: Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Pilatus PC-24
- Empty leg price: $4,500 to $7,200 one-way
- Peak supply window: Sunday evenings back to LA; midweek mornings out
The 50-minute leg means total cost stays under $1,000 per seat for a full cabin of six — competitive with last-minute first-class. See our deep-dive on private jets from LA to Las Vegas.
3. New York ↔ East Hampton (KTEB / KHPN ↔ KHTO)
The summer Hamptons rotation. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, light jets and turboprops shuttle between New York-area airports and East Hampton (KHTO) constantly. The route generates short, predictable empty legs because clients fly out for the weekend and aircraft return for the next pickup.
- Flight time: 35m
- Best aircraft: Phenom 100EV, Citation M2, Pilatus PC-12 NGX
- Empty leg price: $2,800 to $4,500 one-way
- Peak supply window: Sunday evenings westbound; Friday mornings eastbound
East Hampton noise rules limit overnight aircraft and certain jet types. Confirm the operating tail can land before you pay — this is one route where a swap mid-day is uncommon.
4. New York ↔ West Palm Beach (KTEB ↔ KPBI)
The quieter cousin of the Miami route. Palm Beach attracts a different set of clients — older money, longer stays, fewer party flyers — and the empty leg flow is steadier and less price-sensitive. Aircraft size skews midsize and super midsize because passengers carry more luggage for multi-week stays.
- Flight time: 2h 40m
- Best aircraft: Hawker 900XP, Citation Latitude, Challenger 350
- Empty leg price: $9,500 to $14,000 one-way
- Peak supply window: Northbound March–May; southbound November–January
Palm Beach handles fewer night departures than Opa-locka, so look for early morning northbound empty legs that need a clean Saturday or Sunday turn.
5. Los Angeles ↔ Aspen (KVNY / KBUR ↔ KASE)
The winter ski rotation. Aspen’s KASE airport has weight, runway, and noise restrictions that limit aircraft to specific types — and that restriction concentrates empty leg supply on a narrow set of jets. December through March is a constant rotation, and Sunday evening returns to LA produce the deepest discounts of the year.
- Flight time: 2h 5m
- Best aircraft: Citation CJ4, Challenger 350, Praetor 500, Citation XLS+
- Empty leg price: $7,500 to $12,000 one-way
- Peak supply window: Sunday evenings westbound; midweek mornings eastbound in Dec–March
The KASE slot system runs hot during holiday weeks. Empty legs sometimes appear with only 6–10 hours of notice. Push notifications matter here more than on any other US route.
6. New York ↔ Aspen (KTEB ↔ KASE)
The eastbound version of the ski rotation. Length and weight restrictions at KASE force operators into super midsize jets — the Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600 — which means empty legs cost more in absolute dollars but offer real per-seat economics for groups of six to eight.
- Flight time: 4h
- Best aircraft: Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600
- Empty leg price: $14,000 to $22,000 one-way
- Peak supply window: Sunday evenings eastbound; midweek mornings westbound
Split across eight passengers, this drops below $2,000 per seat — that is genuine value for a transcontinental private hop. For broader cost context, see our breakdown of private jet cost per hour by aircraft.
7. Dallas ↔ Cabo San Lucas (KADS / KDAL ↔ MMSD)
The Texas-to-Cabo corridor. Dallas is one of the largest private aviation hubs in the country, and Cabo is a year-round destination with peaks in spring break, summer, and December. Empty legs out of Cabo back to Dallas, Houston, and Scottsdale appear several times a week in season.
- Flight time: 2h 50m
- Best aircraft: Citation Latitude, Praetor 600, Challenger 350
- Empty leg price: $8,500 to $13,500 one-way
- Peak supply window: Sunday evenings northbound; midweek mornings southbound
This route requires customs clearance at the destination. Confirm the FBO has US Customs on-site or factor in extra time for ground processing. Most legitimate operators handle the paperwork end-to-end.
8. Chicago ↔ Naples / Fort Myers (KPWK ↔ KAPF / KRSW)
The Midwest snowbird run. Chicago Executive (KPWK) and DuPage (KDPA) generate steady winter traffic into Naples (KAPF) and Fort Myers (KRSW). Aircraft reposition north for service or for the next paying client, producing reliable empty legs in both directions from December through March.
- Flight time: 2h 30m
- Best aircraft: Citation CJ3+, Phenom 300E, Hawker 900XP
- Empty leg price: $6,500 to $10,500 one-way
- Peak supply window: Northbound March–April; southbound November–January
Naples airport (KAPF) has a curfew and slot restrictions during peak season. RSW (Fort Myers) is the better backup for late-evening empty leg arrivals.
9. Seattle ↔ Sun Valley (KBFI ↔ KSUN)
The Pacific Northwest ski and summer corridor. Sun Valley draws Seattle and Bay Area technology executives in winter for skiing and in summer for hiking, fly-fishing, and the Allen & Co. conference in July. Aircraft reposition out of Sun Valley back to Seattle, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City frequently in shoulder weeks.
- Flight time: 1h 30m
- Best aircraft: Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Pilatus PC-24
- Empty leg price: $5,200 to $8,500 one-way
- Peak supply window: Late afternoon Sundays westbound; Monday morning eastbound midweek
KSUN has high terrain on approach. Pilots use specific aircraft types qualified for the airport. Light jets dominate, and very light jets occasionally appear in shoulder weeks.
10. Coast to Coast: Teterboro ↔ Van Nuys (KTEB ↔ KVNY)
The transcontinental classic. The two busiest private aviation airports in the country produce a constant flow of one-way charters in both directions — entertainment industry travel, hedge fund movement, family relocations, and operator repositioning all converge on this route. Empty legs here are bigger jets and longer flights, but the per-mile economics are some of the best in the country.
- Flight time: 5h 10m westbound; 4h 30m eastbound (jet stream)
- Best aircraft: Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Gulfstream G280, G450
- Empty leg price: $16,500 to $26,000 one-way
- Peak supply window: Friday afternoons westbound; Sunday afternoons eastbound
Eastbound legs are 30–45 minutes shorter thanks to the jet stream, and operators sometimes price them slightly cheaper because of fuel savings. A heavy jet split across eight people lands under $3,500 per seat — real value for a five-hour private flight.
Pricing Snapshot: All 10 Routes Side by Side
The numbers below are typical empty leg prices for one-way bookings on the most common aircraft for each route. Real quotes vary with operator, aircraft tail, and how close you are to departure.
| Route | Flight Time | Aircraft Class | Empty Leg Price | Standard Charter | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York ↔ Miami | 2h 45m | Midsize | $9,000 – $14,500 | $22,000 – $30,000 | 55–65% |
| Los Angeles ↔ Las Vegas | 50m | Light Jet | $4,500 – $7,200 | $11,000 – $15,000 | 55–60% |
| New York ↔ East Hampton | 35m | Very Light Jet | $2,800 – $4,500 | $7,500 – $10,000 | 55–65% |
| New York ↔ West Palm Beach | 2h 40m | Midsize | $9,500 – $14,000 | $23,000 – $30,000 | 55–60% |
| Los Angeles ↔ Aspen | 2h 5m | Light / Super Midsize | $7,500 – $12,000 | $18,000 – $26,000 | 55–60% |
| New York ↔ Aspen | 4h | Super Midsize | $14,000 – $22,000 | $34,000 – $46,000 | 55–60% |
| Dallas ↔ Cabo | 2h 50m | Midsize | $8,500 – $13,500 | $20,000 – $28,000 | 55–60% |
| Chicago ↔ Naples | 2h 30m | Light / Midsize | $6,500 – $10,500 | $16,000 – $22,000 | 55–60% |
| Seattle ↔ Sun Valley | 1h 30m | Light Jet | $5,200 – $8,500 | $12,500 – $17,000 | 55–60% |
| Teterboro ↔ Van Nuys | 4h 30–5h 10m | Heavy Jet | $16,500 – $26,000 | $42,000 – $58,000 | 55–60% |
Prices are estimates based on broker data, May 2026. Actual costs vary by operator, route, and how close to departure you book.
Empty leg quotes shift weekly. For a deeper breakdown of pricing, see our piece on empty leg flight prices.
Ready to book? Browse current empty leg listings →
How to Book These Routes Successfully
Knowing the route is half the battle. The other half is being ready when the leg shows up.
Use Multiple Platforms
No single platform sees all US empty legs. JetSuite, Magellan Jets, and Airshare publish member-only legs. Victor, JetASAP, and FlyJets aggregate broker listings. Vista (formerly VistaJet/XO) and NetJets offer their own member empty legs. Our list of the best empty leg apps and platforms covers the full market.
Set Push Notifications on Specific City Pairs
Most platforms allow saved searches with push alerts. Set both directions on the routes that matter to you. Operators sometimes drop the price 12 to 24 hours before departure if no buyer has bitten — alerts get you to the deal first.
Have Documents Ready Before You Book
Empty legs move fast. When a deal hits the wire, you have minutes — not hours. Prepare passport scans for every passenger, a credit card with sufficient available limit (typical US empty legs charge $5,000–$25,000 in a single transaction), and an FBO pickup address.
Verify Operator Part 135 Certification Before Wiring Funds
Every legitimate US charter operator holds an FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate. The FAA’s Air Carrier Certificate database lets you confirm an operator’s status before paying. Brokers should disclose the operating carrier on the quote — if they refuse to name the carrier, walk away.
Combining Empty Legs Into a Multi-Stop Trip
US geography rewards creative routing. A round trip from New York to Aspen and back may cost $34,000–$46,000 on standard charter. Stitched together from two separate empty legs — New York to Aspen on day one, Aspen to New York a week later — that same trip might cost $26,000–$32,000 total.
Pro Tips for Multi-Leg Empty Travel
- Anchor your trip on the empty leg, not the calendar. Pick the deal first, then plan around it.
- Stack legs through Teterboro or Van Nuys. Both are rotation hubs, so two-leg itineraries are easier to assemble.
- Watch Sunday evenings. That is when the highest volume of return positioning flights hits the wire.
- Book the second leg before flying the first. Wait too long and you pay a rush rate for the return.
- Negotiate politely. Brokers have flexibility inside 48 hours. Ask once, ask cleanly, accept the answer.
- Stay flexible on the FBO. Switching from KHPN to KTEB or KOPF to KPBI can unlock a leg another buyer passed on.
Empty Leg vs Full Charter: When the Discount Stops Being Worth It
The discount is real, but so is the trade-off in flexibility.
| Factor | Empty Leg | Full Charter |
|---|---|---|
| Departure window | Fixed within 1–3h | You set the time |
| Aircraft choice | Whatever is positioning | Any aircraft on the market |
| Cancellation risk | High — tied to original client | Low — you own the booking |
| Cost | 50–75% off | Full retail rate |
| Routing | Fixed origin and destination | Anywhere both airports allow |
| Pet/passenger flexibility | Limited | Full |
If your trip is non-negotiable on time or routing — a wedding, a board meeting, a connection to a yacht charter — book a full charter. We covered this trade-off in detail in our comparison of empty leg flights versus full charter.
Seasonal Calendar: When Each Route Peaks
Timing matters more than any other variable on US empty legs. The same route can swing 40% in price depending on the week.
Spring (March–May)
- Northbound Florida and Caribbean returns hit hardest in May. Best empty leg supply of the year out of Miami and Palm Beach.
- Westbound Aspen returns wind down through April.
- Eastbound Hamptons positioning starts in late May ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
Summer (June–August)
- East Hampton, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard rotations are dense and weekend-driven.
- Sun Valley and Jackson Hole pick up in July around the Allen & Co. conference and shoulder traffic.
- Cabo and Hawaii soften slightly — fewer empty legs in absolute volume.
Fall (September–November)
- Hamptons returns flood the market in early September. One of the best discount windows of the year.
- Florida positioning ramps up in October–November ahead of the snowbird season.
Winter (December–February)
- Aspen, Vail, and Sun Valley dominate westbound empty leg supply.
- Florida is at peak demand — empty legs exist but pricing is firmest.
- Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year) are the worst weeks for empty leg deals — book full charter or wait.
FAQs About US Empty Leg Routes
What is the best month to find empty leg flights in the US?
May, June, and September deliver the deepest empty leg inventory. Memorial Day kicks off the Hamptons and Nantucket rotation, and Labor Day produces a flood of return flights heading west and south. December reaches a peak for Aspen and Florida traffic. Avoid Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks — pricing is firm, supply is thin.
How much can you really save on US empty leg routes?
Realistic savings run 50% to 75% off the standard charter quote on the same aircraft. A New York to Miami empty leg that would normally quote at $26,000 round-trip can drop to $9,000–$13,500 one-way. Discounts widen as departure approaches because operators want to avoid flying the leg with no revenue.
Which US airports have the most empty leg availability?
Teterboro, Van Nuys, Westchester, Opa-locka, Palm Beach, East Hampton, Aspen, Las Vegas Henderson, and Scottsdale dominate empty leg inventory. Teterboro alone handles roughly a quarter of all US private jet positioning flights. Van Nuys is the West Coast equivalent and is the busiest general aviation airport in the world.
Can I change the date or time of a US empty leg?
Rarely. Empty legs follow the schedule of the original paying client, so departure windows are usually fixed within a one to three hour band. A few brokers will negotiate a small shift if the aircraft is repositioning the same day, but assume the time is fixed when you book. Flexibility on your end is the price of the discount.
Are US empty legs cheaper than European empty legs?
On a per-hour basis they are roughly comparable, but US legs are longer on average — many cross two or three time zones — so absolute prices are higher. Expect $8,000 to $22,000 for typical US light and midsize empty legs, versus €4,500 to €12,000 for similar European routes. Per-mile economics favor the US once cabin size scales up.
How far in advance are US empty legs published?
Most empty legs in the US appear between 24 hours and seven days before departure. A few platforms list speculative legs up to three weeks out, but those are often re-priced or pulled. The deepest discounts hit inside the 48-hour window, when operators face the choice of an empty repositioning flight or a discounted sale.
Can a group share the cost of a US empty leg?
Yes. Empty legs are sold for the whole aircraft, so a group of four to eight can split the price. A super midsize jet from New York to Aspen split across eight people can drop below $1,500 per seat — competitive with first-class commercial. Group bookings remain the most cost-effective way to fly privately in the US.
What aircraft are most common on US empty leg routes?
Light jets like the Cessna Citation CJ3+ and Embraer Phenom 300E dominate sub-three-hour routes. Midsize jets like the Hawker 900XP, Citation Latitude, and Praetor 500 cover transcontinental hops. For coast-to-coast and Hawaii, super midsize and heavy jets — Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Gulfstream G280, G450 — are the workhorses.
Final Word: Pick Your Route, Set Your Alerts, Move Fast
The 10 routes above account for the majority of all US empty leg supply. Pick one or two that match your travel pattern, set push notifications on both directions, and have your booking documents ready before the deal lands. Saving 50–75% on a private jet is not luck — it is preparation meeting opportunity.
Memorial Day weekend is three weeks away as of this writing. The Hamptons rotation is already producing eastbound legs, and Florida northbound supply is at its yearly peak. If you have flexibility on departure time, the next 30 days are one of the two best windows of the year to fly privately for less than half the standard rate.
Browse current empty leg listings → or contact us for a custom search across all 10 routes.
