Empty leg flights to and from Dubai.
Empty leg flights from Dubai are discounted one-way private jet flights on aircraft repositioning out of Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai International Airport. They typically cost 25–75% less than a standard charter. From Dubai, an empty leg to Abu Dhabi on a light jet is estimated at $900–$4,100, against $3,500–$5,500 for a full charter.
| Airports | Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Dubai International Airport (DXB) |
|---|---|
| Typical saving | 25–75% below standard charter |
| Routes with most empty legs | Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, Milan |
| Empty legs on the board today | 0 |
| Market | United Arab Emirates · prices in USD |
Which airports do Dubai empty legs use?
Al Maktoum International Airport is the main private jet airport for Dubai on this site, with 1 other airport in range.
| Airport | Codes | Longest runway | Distance to centre | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Maktoum International Airport | OMDW / DWC | 4,500 m | 44 km | Business aviation terminal |
| Dubai International Airport | OMDB / DXB | 4,447 m | 7 km | Airport with GA terminal |
Runway lengths and coordinates from OurAirports (OurAirports open data (public domain), 2026); straight-line distances to the city centre use Wikidata coordinates (Wikidata (CC0), 2026).
Where do empty legs from Dubai usually go?
The corridors most likely to produce empty legs, judged by the size of the private jet market at each end, run from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh.
Estimates below use a light jet where it can fly the sector non-stop, otherwise the smallest category that can.
| Route | Distance | Block time | Empty leg (est.) | Charter (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai to Abu Dhabi | 70 nm | 0h 26m | $900–$4,100 | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Dubai to Doha | 205 nm | 0h 47m | $900–$4,100 | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Dubai to Riyadh | 469 nm | 1h 29m | $1,300–$6,200 | $5,200–$8,200 |
| Dubai to Jeddah | 917 nm | 2h 40m | $2,300–$11,000 | $9,300–$14,600 |
| Dubai to Milan | 2,518 nm | 6h 23m | $8,000–$38,300 | $32,000–$51,100 |
| Dubai to Zurich | 2,571 nm | 6h 06m | $11,400–$50,300 | $45,700–$67,000 |
| Dubai to Nice | 2,578 nm | 6h 07m | $11,500–$50,400 | $45,800–$67,200 |
| Dubai to Geneva | 2,651 nm | 6h 17m | $11,800–$51,800 | $47,100–$69,000 |
| Dubai to Ibiza | 2,817 nm | 6h 39m | $12,500–$54,900 | $49,900–$73,200 |
| Dubai to Paris | 2,832 nm | 6h 41m | $12,500–$55,100 | $50,100–$73,500 |
| Dubai to London | 2,954 nm | 6h 58m | $13,100–$57,500 | $52,200–$76,600 |
| Dubai to New York | 5,942 nm | 12h 38m | $44,200–$208,400 | $176,800–$277,800 |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
Which empty legs arrive into Dubai?
The largest private jet markets with modelled routes into Dubai are Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, so those are the likeliest origins of an inbound empty leg.
| Route | Distance | Block time | Empty leg (est.) | Charter (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi to Dubai | 70 nm | 0h 26m | $900–$4,100 | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Doha to Dubai | 205 nm | 0h 47m | $900–$4,100 | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Riyadh to Dubai | 469 nm | 1h 29m | $1,300–$6,200 | $5,200–$8,200 |
| Jeddah to Dubai | 917 nm | 2h 40m | $2,300–$11,000 | $9,300–$14,600 |
| Milan to Dubai | 2,518 nm | 6h 23m | $8,000–$38,300 | $32,000–$51,100 |
| Zurich to Dubai | 2,571 nm | 6h 06m | $11,400–$50,300 | $45,700–$67,000 |
| Nice to Dubai | 2,578 nm | 6h 07m | $11,500–$50,400 | $45,800–$67,200 |
| Geneva to Dubai | 2,651 nm | 6h 17m | $11,800–$51,800 | $47,100–$69,000 |
| Ibiza to Dubai | 2,817 nm | 6h 39m | $12,500–$54,900 | $49,900–$73,200 |
| Paris to Dubai | 2,832 nm | 6h 41m | $12,500–$55,100 | $50,100–$73,500 |
| London to Dubai | 2,954 nm | 6h 58m | $13,100–$57,500 | $52,200–$76,600 |
| New York to Dubai | 5,942 nm | 12h 38m | $44,200–$208,400 | $176,800–$277,800 |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
When are Dubai empty legs most common?
Dubai empty legs appear when Gulf-based heavy and ultra-long-range jets return to Europe or reposition around the region, which makes them rare but the largest absolute savings on the board.
Dubai has two airports for private aviation. Al Maktoum International (OMDW) at Jebel Ali hosts the dedicated VIP terminal and most Gulf-based operators and has a 4,500 m runway; Dubai International (OMDB) has an executive terminal nearer the city. The centre of Dubai is roughly 44 km from Al Maktoum and 7 km from Dubai International in a straight line.
London is the busiest corridor, followed by Paris, Geneva, Riyadh and Doha. Empty legs cluster around Eid, the Dubai Airshow in November and the end of the European summer, when aircraft that carried Gulf families to Europe in July and August come home.
Prices are quoted in US dollars. Super-midsize jets can fly to Europe non-stop in most conditions; heavy and ultra-long-range aircraft do so with a cabin attendant and beds, and a couple can take a fourteen-seat cabin for the same price as a full group.
How much does an empty leg from Dubai cost?
A light jet empty leg from Dubai is estimated at $900–$4,300 for a short sector and $2,100–$9,800 for a medium one.
The table models three sample distances: 300 nautical miles (about an hour in the air), 800 (about two hours) and 2,000 (five hours or more, beyond the range of the smallest categories).
| Aircraft category | 300 nm | 800 nm | 2,000 nm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | $700–$3,300 | $1,700–$7,700 | Out of range |
| Very light jet | $800–$3,100 | $1,800–$7,100 | Out of range |
| Light jet | $900–$4,300 | $2,100–$9,800 | Out of range |
| Midsize jet | $1,300–$6,000 | $2,800–$13,200 | $6,400–$30,800 |
| Super-midsize jet | $1,900–$8,300 | $3,900–$17,100 | $9,000–$39,600 |
| Heavy jet | $2,300–$11,300 | $4,500–$22,400 | $10,400–$51,800 |
| Ultra-long-range jet | $3,500–$16,500 | $6,700–$31,700 | $15,500–$72,900 |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
How do I book an empty leg from Dubai?
Tell us your route and how flexible you are; we check the flights operators have released and confirm the one that fits.
- Send the route, dates you could travel and passenger numbers using the form below, or set up an alert.
- We check repositioning flights from licensed operators and price a standard charter for comparison.
- You choose. We confirm the flight with the operator and name the operating carrier and aircraft on the quote before you pay.
Questions about Dubai empty legs
Which airports do empty legs from Dubai use?
Al Maktoum International Airport handle most business aviation in Dubai; Dubai International Airport also have general aviation terminals. The operator chooses the airport the aircraft is already at.
How much does an empty leg from Dubai cost?
On a light jet, estimates run from $900 for a short sector of about 300 nautical miles to $9,800 for one of about 800. These are model estimates, not quotes; listed flights show the operator’s price plus our fee.
How far in advance are empty legs available?
Most appear between a few days and about two weeks before departure, because they depend on other bookings being confirmed. Some are published 24–48 hours ahead.
Can an empty leg flight be cancelled?
Yes. An empty leg exists only because of another customer’s booking. If that customer changes date or route, or cancels, the empty leg may be rescheduled or withdrawn. Refund terms are set out in your charter agreement, and consequential costs such as hotels or replacement flights are not normally covered. Check the terms before you pay. No audited industry cancellation rate is published.
Do you pay per seat or for the whole aircraft?
Almost always the whole aircraft. An empty leg on an eight-seat jet costs the same for one passenger or eight, which is why empty legs work best for groups. A few operators and apps sell single seats on selected flights; where that applies, the listing says so.
Sources
- OurAirports open data (public domain), 2026-09-20 (accessed 2026-09-20). Airport codes, coordinates, elevation and runway lengths.
- Wikidata (CC0), 2026-09-20 (accessed 2026-09-20). City-centre coordinates used for airport-to-city distances.
- Paramount Business Jets, "Private Jet Rental | Jet Cost & Hourly Rates (2026)", 2026-08 (accessed 2026-09-20)
- Amalfi Jets, "Private Jet Cost Per Hour 2026: Rates by Jet Type", 2026-06-15 (accessed 2026-09-20)
- Jetvice, "Private Jet Charter Hourly Rates 2026", 2026-09-01 (accessed 2026-09-20)
- Business Travel Executive, "Empty Legs, Empty Promises?", 2023-02-02 (accessed 2026-09-20). XO estimate that 30–50% of the charter fleet often flies empty; Victor on savings of up to 75%; Chapman Freeborn on change and cancellation risk.
- European Central Bank euro foreign exchange reference rates (via frankfurter.dev), 2026-09-18 (accessed 2026-09-20). Rates used for USD, EUR and GBP conversions.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.
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