Ferry flight.
A ferry flight is a flight made to move an aircraft from one place to another without passengers or cargo, for example to return it to base, deliver it to a customer, or take it to a maintenance facility. In charter, ferry sectors before and after a booking are usually charged to the customer.
| Term | Ferry flight |
|---|---|
| Used in | Private aviation, charter brokerage and operations |
| Related terms | Positioning flight, Empty leg, One-way charter |
| Sources | 2 listed below |
What does Ferry flight mean in practice?
Ferry flights are the hidden cost in private aviation.
If the aircraft you charter is based in Geneva and you depart from Nice, the operator must ferry it to Nice first. That sector burns fuel, uses crew duty hours and is normally billed to you, even though you are not on board. Brokers try to reduce ferry costs by finding aircraft already close to your departure point. Empty legs are the mirror image: the ferry sector is sold instead of being absorbed. A ferry flight is also the term used when an aircraft is moved for maintenance, sometimes under a special permit if it is not fully airworthy. Those flights never carry passengers. When comparing quotes, ask how many ferry sectors are included and whether a closer aircraft could cut the price.
Questions
What does Ferry flight mean?
A ferry flight is a flight made to move an aircraft from one place to another without passengers or cargo, for example to return it to base, deliver it to a customer, or take it to a maintenance facility. In charter, ferry sectors before and after a booking are usually charged to the customer.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Ferry flying (accessed 2026-09-20)
- 14 CFR 91.501 (Cornell LII) (accessed 2026-09-20)
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.