What is an empty leg flight?
An empty leg flight is a private jet flight with no passengers booked on it, flown to reposition the aircraft, either back to base after a one-way charter or onward to collect its next client. Because the aircraft must make the journey anyway, operators sell it at a discount, typically 25–75% below the standard charter price for the same route.
| Typical saving | 25–75% below standard charter |
|---|---|
| What you book | The whole aircraft, one way |
| Schedule | Set by the operator’s next commitment |
| Notice | Usually days, sometimes 24–48 hours |
| Main risk | The original booking changes and the leg moves or is withdrawn |
Private jets do not run on timetables. When you charter one from London to Nice, the aircraft flies you to Nice and then has to go somewhere else: back to its base, or on to collect its next passengers. That next sector is a repositioning flight, and if nobody is on board it is an empty leg.
Operators would much rather sell that seat-less flight than absorb the cost of it. So they release it, usually at a steep discount, to anyone who happens to want to fly the same route at roughly the same time. That is the whole idea. Nothing about the aircraft, the crew or the safety standard changes; only the price and the flexibility.
Why the discount is so large
The operator has already been paid for the original charter, which usually covers the cost of the return sector. Anything they can recover on the empty leg is a bonus, so pricing is aggressive. Savings of 50 to 75 percent against the equivalent full charter are normal, and on long-haul heavy jets they can be larger still.
The discount is on the aircraft, not the seat. A couple booking a thirteen-seat Gulfstream empty leg from Dubai to London pays the same as a group of twelve would. That is why empty legs are worth watching even if you are travelling alone.
The catches
There are three, and we would rather you knew them before you book than after.
- The route and the timing are fixed by someone else. An empty leg exists because of another client’s booking. If that client moves their flight by a day, the empty leg moves with it. If they cancel, it disappears. Most operators offer a refund or an alternative if this happens, and the terms are stated on every listing on this site.
- It is one way. You will need to arrange the return separately, whether that is another empty leg, a full charter or an airline.
- Flexibility is limited. Many empty legs can move by a few hours or a day either side for a small fee, because the operator has some slack around the original booking. Some cannot move at all. The listing tells you which.
Who empty legs suit
Anyone whose dates have a little give in them. Weekend trips where you could leave Thursday or Friday. Returns from the Riviera where Sunday or Monday both work. Business travel where the meeting can be scheduled around the flight rather than the other way round.
They suit fixed-date travel less well. If you must be in Geneva at 9am on the 14th, book a charter and know it will fly. If you would love to be in Geneva that week and can shape the rest around a great flight, set up an alert and let the empty legs come to you.
How to find them
Empty legs are released by operators, often only a few days ahead, and most are sold before they reach a public listing. The best strategy is to tell a broker your regular routes and let them tell you when something matches. That is exactly what our empty leg alerts do.
Frequently asked questions
What is an empty leg flight?
An empty leg flight is a private jet flight with no passengers booked on it, flown to reposition the aircraft, either back to base after a one-way charter or onward to collect its next client. Because the aircraft must make the journey anyway, operators sell it at a discount, typically 25–75% below the standard charter price for the same route.
Why are empty leg flights so cheap?
Because the flight happens regardless. The original charter customer has already paid for the aircraft to reposition, so any revenue from the empty sector is extra for the operator.
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.
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 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.
Sources
- 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.
- Stratos Jets, "Empty-leg Flights: The No. 1 Risk and How to Save Money", 2024-05-07 (accessed 2026-09-20). Estimate that nearly 30% of private flights are empty; savings of up to 75%; some legs published only a day ahead.
- Instacharter, "1 in 3 Private Jet Return Legs Go Empty", 2026-05-26 (accessed 2026-09-20). Industry estimate of up to 40% of flights operating as empty return legs; no primary source named.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.
