How to book an empty leg, and what can go wrong
Booking an empty leg with Empty Leg Exclusive takes four steps: send the route, flexible dates and passenger numbers; we confirm the flight with the operator and name the operating carrier and aircraft on the quote; you sign the charter agreement and pay, normally in full because departure is close; passenger details go to the operator and you receive the flight brief. Most requests are confirmed the same day.
| Steps | Enquiry, confirmation, agreement and payment, flight brief |
|---|---|
| Payment | Normally in full at booking |
| If the flight moves | Full refund or an alternative |
| If the operator cancels | Full refund |
| Documents | Passport (international) or government photo ID (domestic) |
Booking an empty leg is quicker than booking a charter, but it rewards a little preparation. Here is how it works with us, and the questions worth asking whoever you book with.
1. Find a flight that fits
Browse the empty leg board or set up an alert for your routes. Each listing shows the departure airport, destination, date, aircraft, seat count and a guide price for the whole aircraft. It also shows how much the flight can flex: fixed, plus or minus a few hours, or plus or minus a day.
2. Enquire
Tell us how many are travelling, what luggage you have and whether your dates could move. We go back to the operator the same day to confirm that the flight is still available, the price holds and the aircraft can take your group and luggage. Empty legs move quickly, so we treat every enquiry as urgent.
3. Confirm and pay
Once the operator confirms, we send you a charter agreement naming the operator, the aircraft registration, the schedule and the price. Payment is usually required in full to secure the flight, by bank transfer or card. Read the cancellation and change terms before you pay; the important ones are set out below.
4. Fly
We send you the terminal address, handling agent and crew contact the day before. Arrive fifteen minutes before departure with passports for everyone travelling. There is no check-in queue and no security line: your passports are checked, your bags go into the hold and you board.
What can go wrong
The original booking moves
This is the main risk. If the client whose charter created the empty leg changes their plans, the empty leg changes too. Ask what happens in that case. With us, if the flight moves and the new time does not suit you, you receive a full refund or we find you an alternative. If the operator cancels the flight altogether, you receive a full refund.
The aircraft is swapped
Operators occasionally substitute an aircraft for operational reasons. The replacement should be of the same category or better. Check that the agreement says so.
Weather and slots
Small airports such as Samedan, Mykonos and Cannes have weather and slot limits. If the destination is one of these, ask what the alternate airport would be and how you would get from there.
You need to cancel
Empty legs are generally non-refundable if you cancel, because the operator has priced them on the assumption that the flight is sold. Travel insurance that covers charter flights is worth having; ask your insurer whether your policy does.
Questions to ask any broker
- Who is the operator, and can I see their Air Operator Certificate?
- Is the price for the whole aircraft, and what does it include?
- What happens to my money if the flight moves or is cancelled?
- Can the flight move for me, and what does that cost?
- What luggage will the aircraft take?
Any broker who cannot answer those five questions clearly is not one you should pay.
Frequently asked questions
When do I pay?
Normally in full at booking, because departure is close. Exact terms are in your charter agreement.
What documents do I need?
A passport for international flights and government photo ID for domestic flights. Visa rules are the same as for airline travel.
Can I change the time or airport of an empty leg?
Sometimes, within limits. An operator may move a departure by a few hours or use a nearby airport if the aircraft can still meet its next commitment. Larger changes turn the flight into a standard charter at a higher price.
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.
How do I improve my chances of finding an empty leg?
Flexibility is the currency. The more dates, nearby airports and aircraft sizes you can accept, the more likely a match.
Sources
- Federal Aviation Administration, 14 CFR Part 135, 2026 (accessed 2026-09-20). US operating rules for commuter and on-demand operations.
- UK Civil Aviation Authority, Air Operator Certificates, 2026 (accessed 2026-09-20). UK requirement for commercial air transport operators.
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Air Operations, 2026 (accessed 2026-09-20). EU air operations regulation (Regulation (EU) 965/2012).
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.
