What Are Empty Leg Flights? The Complete Guide
Empty leg flights are one of the best-kept secrets in private aviation. Here’s everything you need to know about flying private for a fraction of the usual cost.
Understanding Empty Leg Flights
When a client charters a private jet for a one-way trip, the aircraft must return to its home base or fly to its next booking location. This return flight, with no passengers on board, is called an “empty leg” or “repositioning flight.”
Rather than fly completely empty, charter operators offer these flights at steep discounts — often 25-75% below standard charter rates. For savvy travelers, this creates an incredible opportunity to experience private aviation without the premium price tag.
How Empty Legs Work
The mechanics behind empty legs are straightforward. Consider this scenario:
A client books a private jet from London to Nice. After dropping off the passengers, the aircraft needs to return to London for its next booking. This London-bound return flight is the empty leg.
The Economics
| Scenario | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard charter London → Nice | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Empty leg Nice → London | $4,000 - $8,000 |
| Your savings | 50-75% |
The operator would rather sell the flight at a discount than fly completely empty, covering fuel and crew costs. You get a luxury private jet experience at a fraction of the price.
Types of Empty Leg Opportunities
One-Way Repositioning
The most common type. An aircraft drops off passengers and needs to return to base. These are typically predictable and appear 1-2 weeks before the flight date.
Between Bookings
When a jet finishes one charter and needs to reposition for another booking in a different location. These can appear with shorter notice but often on popular routes.
Seasonal Repositioning
During peak seasons, entire fleets may relocate. Ski season sees jets repositioning to mountain destinations, while summer brings repositioning to coastal hubs. These can be especially good deals.
How to Find Empty Leg Deals
Monitor Aggregator Sites
Platforms like PrivateJet.fast aggregate empty leg listings from multiple operators, making it easy to browse available flights across routes and dates.
Sign Up for Alerts
Most charter companies and aggregators offer email or SMS alerts when new empty legs match your preferred routes. Setting up alerts is the single most effective way to catch deals.
Be Flexible
The golden rule of empty leg flying: flexibility equals savings. If you can be flexible with:
- Dates: Plus or minus a few days dramatically increases options
- Airports: Consider alternate airports near your destination
- Aircraft type: Accepting different jet categories opens more possibilities
Build Relationships
Regular clients of charter companies often get first access to empty leg opportunities. Building a relationship with one or two operators can give you priority access.
What to Expect on an Empty Leg Flight
The experience is identical to a standard private charter:
- Same aircraft: You fly on the same jet with the same amenities
- Same crew: Professional pilots and cabin crew (if applicable)
- Same services: FBO access, ground transportation coordination, catering options
- Same safety: All regulatory and safety standards apply
The only differences are the price and the lack of route flexibility.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Cancellation Risk
Because empty legs depend on the original charter booking, there is a cancellation risk. If the primary client cancels their trip, the empty leg disappears too. Most operators handle this with:
- Full refund policies
- Alternative flight options
- Cancellation insurance (available from some providers)
Limited Route Flexibility
Empty leg routes are fixed. You cannot change the departure or arrival airports. This is the trade-off for the discounted pricing.
Variable Availability
Empty legs appear and disappear quickly. A deal you see today might be gone tomorrow if someone books it or the underlying charter changes.
Tips for First-Time Empty Leg Flyers
- Start with popular routes: London-Nice, New York-Miami, and LA-Vegas frequently have empty legs
- Book through reputable platforms: Use established operators or aggregators with clear cancellation policies
- Read the fine print: Understand cancellation terms before booking
- Be ready to move fast: Good deals don’t last long
- Consider group travel: Split the cost with friends or family for even better per-person economics
The Bottom Line
Empty leg flights democratize private aviation. They offer the same luxury experience — bypassing commercial terminals, flying on your schedule, arriving refreshed — at prices that can rival or undercut business class on commercial airlines.
The key is flexibility, patience, and knowing where to look. With the right approach, you can make private jet travel a regular part of your life without breaking the bank.