Empty leg flights to and from Zurich.
Empty leg flights from Zurich are discounted one-way private jet flights on aircraft repositioning out of Zürich Airport. They typically cost 25–75% less than a standard charter. From Zurich, an empty leg to Milan on a light jet is estimated at €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100), against €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) for a full charter.
| Airports | Zürich Airport (ZRH) |
|---|---|
| Typical saving | 25–75% below standard charter |
| Routes with most empty legs | Milan, Geneva, Nice, Paris, London |
| Empty legs on the board today | 2 |
| Market | Switzerland · prices in EUR (USD in brackets) |
Which airports do Zurich empty legs use?
Zürich Airport is the main private jet airport for Zurich on this site.
| Airport | Codes | Longest runway | Distance to centre | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zürich Airport | LSZH / ZRH | 3,700 m | 9 km | Business aviation 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 Zurich usually go?
The corridors most likely to produce empty legs, judged by the size of the private jet market at each end, run from Zurich to Milan, Geneva, Nice.
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.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich to Milan | 118 nm | 0h 34m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to Geneva | 121 nm | 0h 34m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to Nice | 227 nm | 0h 51m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to Paris | 263 nm | 0h 57m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to London | 419 nm | 1h 21m | €1,047–€4,887 ($1,200–$5,600) | €4,101–€6,457 ($4,700–$7,400) |
| Zurich to Ibiza | 596 nm | 1h 49m | €1,396–€6,545 ($1,600–$7,500) | €5,585–€8,726 ($6,400–$10,000) |
| Zurich to St. Moritz | 75 nm | 0h 27m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to Innsbruck | 116 nm | 0h 33m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to Munich | 131 nm | 0h 36m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to Chambéry | 153 nm | 0h 39m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to Frankfurt | 164 nm | 0h 41m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Zurich to Luxembourg | 165 nm | 0h 41m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
Which empty legs arrive into Zurich?
The largest private jet markets with modelled routes into Zurich are Milan, Geneva, Nice, so those are the likeliest origins of an inbound empty leg.
| Route | Distance | Block time | Empty leg (est.) | Charter (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan to Zurich | 118 nm | 0h 34m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Geneva to Zurich | 121 nm | 0h 34m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Nice to Zurich | 227 nm | 0h 51m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Paris to Zurich | 263 nm | 0h 57m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| London to Zurich | 419 nm | 1h 21m | €1,047–€4,887 ($1,200–$5,600) | €4,101–€6,457 ($4,700–$7,400) |
| Ibiza to Zurich | 596 nm | 1h 49m | €1,396–€6,545 ($1,600–$7,500) | €5,585–€8,726 ($6,400–$10,000) |
| St. Moritz to Zurich | 75 nm | 0h 27m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Innsbruck to Zurich | 116 nm | 0h 33m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Munich to Zurich | 131 nm | 0h 36m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Chambéry to Zurich | 153 nm | 0h 39m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Frankfurt to Zurich | 164 nm | 0h 41m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
| Luxembourg to Zurich | 165 nm | 0h 41m | €785–€3,578 ($900–$4,100) | €3,054–€4,799 ($3,500–$5,500) |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
When are Zurich empty legs most common?
Zurich empty legs are a weekday, business-led market: the corridor to London, Frankfurt and Paris produces short positioning flights all year, often released the day before.
Zurich (LSZH) has a general aviation centre on the opposite side of the field from the airline terminals and a 3,700 m main runway. A large Swiss charter fleet is based here, which is why empty legs on the London route appear most weeks of the year.
January brings the World Economic Forum, when aircraft position between Zurich and Davos-area airports such as Samedan (Engadin) and Sion, and February brings ski traffic to St. Moritz. Summer sees weekend traffic to the Mediterranean, particularly Olbia, Ibiza and Nice.
Swiss francs are the local currency; this site quotes Zurich routes in euros with US dollars in brackets. Very light and light jets dominate; midsize and larger appear on Gulf and transatlantic sectors.
How much does an empty leg from Zurich cost?
A light jet empty leg from Zurich is estimated at €785–€3,752 ($900–$4,300) for a short sector and €1,832–€8,551 ($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 | €611–€2,880 ($700–$3,300) | €1,483–€6,719 ($1,700–$7,700) | Out of range |
| Very light jet | €698–€2,705 ($800–$3,100) | €1,571–€6,195 ($1,800–$7,100) | Out of range |
| Light jet | €785–€3,752 ($900–$4,300) | €1,832–€8,551 ($2,100–$9,800) | Out of range |
| Midsize jet | €1,134–€5,236 ($1,300–$6,000) | €2,443–€11,518 ($2,800–$13,200) | €5,585–€26,876 ($6,400–$30,800) |
| Super-midsize jet | €1,658–€7,243 ($1,900–$8,300) | €3,403–€14,921 ($3,900–$17,100) | €7,853–€34,555 ($9,000–$39,600) |
| Heavy jet | €2,007–€9,860 ($2,300–$11,300) | €3,927–€19,546 ($4,500–$22,400) | €9,075–€45,201 ($10,400–$51,800) |
| Ultra-long-range jet | €3,054–€14,398 ($3,500–$16,500) | €5,846–€27,661 ($6,700–$31,700) | €13,525–€63,613 ($15,500–$72,900) |
Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.
How do I book an empty leg from Zurich?
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.
On the board now
-
Very light jetSave 82%
ZurichDortmund
Zurich (ZRH / LSZH) to Dortmund (DTM)
- Departs
- Mon 21 Sept, 05:40
- Aircraft
- Cessna Citation Mustang
- Seats
- Up to 4
- Flexibility
- Fixed
Whole aircraft from£1,220 -
Light jetWhole aircraft
ZurichGeneva
Zurich (ZRH / LSZH) to Geneva (GVA / LSGG)
- Departs
- Tue 22 Sept, 14:30
- Aircraft
- Pilatus PC-24
- Seats
- Up to 8
- Flexibility
- Confirm with operator
Whole aircraftPrice on request
Listings come from the operators and change daily. Prices are the total for the whole aircraft in GBP, including our booking fee, and are confirmed with the operator before you pay. A flight is booked only once the operator has accepted it. How it works.
Questions about Zurich empty legs
Which airports do empty legs from Zurich use?
Zürich Airport handle most business aviation in Zurich. The operator chooses the airport the aircraft is already at.
How much does an empty leg from Zurich cost?
On a light jet, estimates run from €785 for a short sector of about 300 nautical miles to €8,551 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.
Flying from Zurich? Tell us when.
Give us your route and dates. We will send you the empty legs that fit and a charter price for comparison.
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