Dead leg.
A dead leg is an industry term for a charter flight sector flown without revenue passengers, usually the return or positioning sector after a one-way booking. Dead leg is used interchangeably with empty leg and deadhead. Brokers list dead legs at reduced rates because the aircraft must fly the route regardless of whether anyone is aboard.
| Term | Dead leg |
|---|---|
| Used in | Private aviation, charter brokerage and operations |
| Related terms | Empty leg, Deadhead, Charter agreement |
| Sources | 1 listed below |
What does Dead leg mean in practice?
You will see dead leg, empty leg and deadhead used to describe the same thing.
None is a regulatory term. All refer to a sector the operator has to fly anyway, with no paying passengers on board. The practical points are the same as for any empty leg. The departure airport, arrival airport and date are set by someone else's booking. Prices are lower than a bespoke one-way charter, but the flight can be withdrawn if the originating trip changes. Ask the broker three questions before paying: which operator holds the air operator certificate, what happens to your money if the leg is cancelled, and whether the departure time can move. A written charter agreement should answer all three. Treat any dead leg as an opportunity, not a assured service.
Questions
What does Dead leg mean?
A dead leg is an industry term for a charter flight sector flown without revenue passengers, usually the return or positioning sector after a one-way booking. Dead leg is used interchangeably with empty leg and deadhead. Brokers list dead legs at reduced rates because the aircraft must fly the route regardless of whether anyone is aboard.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Empty leg (accessed 2026-09-20)
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.