Empty Leg Flights Explained: How to Fly Private for Less
Key Takeaway
Empty legs offer 40-60% savings but require flexibility on dates, times, and sometimes routes. Best for leisure travellers who can adapt.
What Are Empty Leg Flights?
When a client charters a private jet for a one-way trip, the aircraft must fly back to its base or to its next pickup location — without any passengers. This “empty” repositioning flight is called an empty leg, and operators offer these at significant discounts rather than absorb the full cost of flying empty.
How Much Can You Save?
Empty legs are typically priced at 40–60% below standard charter rates. The discount depends on the route popularity, timing, and how urgently the operator needs to fill the flight.
| Route | Standard Price | Empty Leg Price |
|---|---|---|
| London → Nice | £8,000 | £3,500–£5,000 |
| London → Paris | £5,000 | £2,200–£3,000 |
| London → Geneva | £6,500 | £3,000–£4,000 |
The Trade-offs
Empty legs come with limitations you should understand:
- Fixed schedule — departure times are set by the primary charter, not you
- Cancellation risk — if the primary booking changes, your empty leg may cancel
- Limited route options — you can only fly routes that match existing repositioning needs
- Less flexibility — you usually can’t change the departure airport or add stops
Who Are Empty Legs Best For?
Empty legs work best for leisure travellers with flexible schedules. If you can adjust your travel dates by a day or two and don’t mind the cancellation risk, the savings are substantial. They’re less suitable for business travel where schedule certainty is essential.
How to Maximise Your Chances
Register with multiple charter brokers for empty leg alerts. Popular routes from London (especially to Mediterranean destinations in summer) generate the most empty leg availability. Midweek departures are more common than weekend flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an empty leg flight?
An empty leg is a repositioning flight — when a chartered jet needs to fly without passengers to its next pickup or back to its home base. Operators sell these at steep discounts rather than fly completely empty.
How much cheaper are empty leg flights?
Typically 40–60% cheaper than a standard charter. A London to Nice flight that normally costs £8,000 might be available as an empty leg for £3,500–£5,000.
Can empty leg flights be cancelled?
Yes, and this is the main risk. If the primary charter that created the empty leg cancels or changes, your empty leg may be cancelled too, sometimes with short notice.
How do I find empty leg flights from the UK?
Charter brokers publish available empty legs on their websites. Sign up to multiple brokers' empty leg alerts for the best coverage. Routes from London airports are most common.
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