Empty leg flights to and from London.
Empty leg flights from London are discounted one-way private jet flights on aircraft repositioning out of London Luton Airport, Farnborough Airport, London Biggin Hill Airport. They typically cost 25–75% less than a standard charter. From London, an empty leg to Paris on a light jet is estimated at £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100), against £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) for a full charter.
| Airports | London Luton Airport (LTN), Farnborough Airport (FAB), London Biggin Hill Airport (BQH), London Stansted Airport (STN), London Oxford Airport (OXF), RAF Northolt (NHT), London City Airport (LCY), London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) |
|---|---|
| Typical saving | 25–75% below standard charter |
| Routes with most empty legs | Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Nice |
| Empty legs on the board today | 0 |
| Market | United Kingdom · prices in GBP (USD in brackets) |
Which airports do London empty legs use?
London Luton Airport is the main private jet airport for London on this site, with 8 other airports in range.
| Airport | Codes | Longest runway | Distance to centre | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Luton Airport | EGGW / LTN | 2,162 m | 44 km | Business aviation terminal |
| Farnborough Airport | EGLF / FAB | 2,440 m | 52 km | Business aviation terminal |
| London Biggin Hill Airport | EGKB / BQH | 1,806 m | 23 km | Business aviation terminal |
| London Stansted Airport | EGSS / STN | 3,049 m | 49 km | Airport with GA terminal |
| London Oxford Airport | EGTK / OXF | 1,526 m | 90 km | Business aviation terminal |
| RAF Northolt | EGWU / NHT | 1,690 m | 21 km | Business aviation terminal |
| London City Airport | EGLC / LCY | 1,508 m | 13 km | Airport with GA terminal |
| London Heathrow Airport | EGLL / LHR | 3,901 m | 23 km | Airport with GA terminal |
| London Gatwick Airport | EGKK / LGW | 3,317 m | 40 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 London usually go?
The corridors most likely to produce empty legs, judged by the size of the private jet market at each end, run from London to Paris, Geneva, Zurich.
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.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London to Paris | 185 nm | 0h 44m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| London to Geneva | 403 nm | 1h 19m | £899–£4,047 ($1,200–$5,400) | £3,447–£5,396 ($4,600–$7,200) |
| London to Zurich | 419 nm | 1h 21m | £899–£4,197 ($1,200–$5,600) | £3,522–£5,545 ($4,700–$7,400) |
| London to Milan | 518 nm | 1h 37m | £1,049–£5,021 ($1,400–$6,700) | £4,197–£6,670 ($5,600–$8,900) |
| London to Nice | 555 nm | 1h 43m | £1,124–£5,321 ($1,500–$7,100) | £4,496–£7,044 ($6,000–$9,400) |
| London to Ibiza | 759 nm | 2h 15m | £1,499–£6,969 ($2,000–$9,300) | £5,920–£9,292 ($7,900–$12,400) |
| London to Birmingham | 88 nm | 0h 29m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| London to Manchester | 141 nm | 0h 37m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| London to Brussels | 173 nm | 0h 42m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| London to Amsterdam | 192 nm | 0h 45m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| London to Dublin | 250 nm | 0h 55m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| London to Düsseldorf | 259 nm | 0h 56m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
Which empty legs arrive into London?
The largest private jet markets with modelled routes into London are Paris, Geneva, Zurich, so those are the likeliest origins of an inbound empty leg.
| Route | Distance | Block time | Empty leg (est.) | Charter (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris to London | 185 nm | 0h 44m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Geneva to London | 403 nm | 1h 19m | £899–£4,047 ($1,200–$5,400) | £3,447–£5,396 ($4,600–$7,200) |
| Zurich to London | 419 nm | 1h 21m | £899–£4,197 ($1,200–$5,600) | £3,522–£5,545 ($4,700–$7,400) |
| Milan to London | 518 nm | 1h 37m | £1,049–£5,021 ($1,400–$6,700) | £4,197–£6,670 ($5,600–$8,900) |
| Nice to London | 555 nm | 1h 43m | £1,124–£5,321 ($1,500–$7,100) | £4,496–£7,044 ($6,000–$9,400) |
| Ibiza to London | 759 nm | 2h 15m | £1,499–£6,969 ($2,000–$9,300) | £5,920–£9,292 ($7,900–$12,400) |
| Birmingham to London | 88 nm | 0h 29m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Manchester to London | 141 nm | 0h 37m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Brussels to London | 173 nm | 0h 42m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Amsterdam to London | 192 nm | 0h 45m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Dublin to London | 250 nm | 0h 55m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Düsseldorf to London | 259 nm | 0h 56m | £674–£3,072 ($900–$4,100) | £2,623–£4,122 ($3,500–$5,500) |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
When are London empty legs most common?
London empty legs peak on Friday evenings and Sunday nights, when aircraft that have flown weekend traffic to the Mediterranean and the Alps return to their bases at Luton, Farnborough and Biggin Hill.
London has more business aviation airports than any other European city on this site. Luton (EGGW) has the largest base of charter operators and therefore the most positioning flights; Farnborough (EGLF) is a dedicated business aviation airport with no airline traffic; Biggin Hill (EGKB) is the closest to central London by road. Stansted, Northolt and Oxford take the overflow, and City Airport suits smaller jets that can meet its steep approach.
Empty legs out of London follow three patterns. In summer, Sunday and Monday returns from Nice, Ibiza, Palma and the Greek islands leave aircraft heading south again on Thursday and Friday. From December to April the same happens on the Geneva, Chambéry and Innsbruck ski corridors. Year round, Monday-morning and Thursday-evening business traffic to Paris, Zurich, Milan and Frankfurt creates short empty sectors that are often released the day before.
Prices on London routes are quoted in pounds sterling. A light jet empty leg to the Riviera or the Alps typically lands in the low thousands, against a charter price two to three times higher; long-haul legs on heavy jets to Dubai or New York appear less often but carry the largest absolute savings.
How much does an empty leg from London cost?
A light jet empty leg from London is estimated at £674–£3,222 ($900–$4,300) for a short sector and £1,574–£7,344 ($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 | £525–£2,473 ($700–$3,300) | £1,274–£5,770 ($1,700–$7,700) | Out of range |
| Very light jet | £600–£2,323 ($800–$3,100) | £1,349–£5,321 ($1,800–$7,100) | Out of range |
| Light jet | £674–£3,222 ($900–$4,300) | £1,574–£7,344 ($2,100–$9,800) | Out of range |
| Midsize jet | £974–£4,496 ($1,300–$6,000) | £2,098–£9,892 ($2,800–$13,200) | £4,796–£23,081 ($6,400–$30,800) |
| Super-midsize jet | £1,424–£6,220 ($1,900–$8,300) | £2,923–£12,815 ($3,900–$17,100) | £6,745–£29,676 ($9,000–$39,600) |
| Heavy jet | £1,724–£8,468 ($2,300–$11,300) | £3,372–£16,786 ($4,500–$22,400) | £7,794–£38,818 ($10,400–$51,800) |
| Ultra-long-range jet | £2,623–£12,365 ($3,500–$16,500) | £5,021–£23,756 ($6,700–$31,700) | £11,616–£54,631 ($15,500–$72,900) |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
How do I book an empty leg from London?
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 London empty legs
Which airports do empty legs from London use?
London Luton Airport, Farnborough Airport, London Biggin Hill Airport, London Oxford Airport, RAF Northolt handle most business aviation in London; London Stansted Airport, London City Airport, London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport also have general aviation terminals. The operator chooses the airport the aircraft is already at.
How much does an empty leg from London cost?
On a light jet, estimates run from £674 for a short sector of about 300 nautical miles to £7,344 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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