How to fly private for thousands less—and when deals actually happen on your routes.
When a private jet drops off passengers, it often needs to fly somewhere else—back to its home base, or to pick up the next client. These "repositioning" flights would otherwise fly completely empty.
Rather than burn fuel with no revenue, operators offer these flights at steep discounts. You get the same aircraft, same crew, same experience—just at 30-50% off because you're filling a seat that would otherwise be empty.
Here's what empty leg pricing looks like on popular routes:
Empty legs aren't for everyone. Before you get excited, understand the trade-offs:
Bottom line: Empty legs can disappear with little notice—flexibility is the price of the discount.
Empty legs follow predictable seasonal patterns. Here's when deals happen on major routes. Want alerts for these routes? Jump to signup ↓
Be first to know when deals open on your preferred routes.
Our detailed route guides include specific empty leg patterns, seasonal timing, and pricing for each corridor:
An empty leg flight occurs when a private jet must fly without passengers—typically returning to base after dropping off clients or repositioning for the next trip. Operators offer these flights at 30-50% discounts rather than flying completely empty.
Empty leg flights typically cost 30-50% less than standard charter rates. A $20,000 light jet charter might be available for $10,000-$14,000 as an empty leg. Actual savings depend on the route, timing, and how urgently the operator needs to fill the flight.
Generally no. The route and timing are fixed based on the operator's needs. Some operators allow minor route deviations (a nearby airport) for an additional fee, but the core trip is set. If you need a specific schedule, a standard charter is more appropriate.
If the primary trip that created the empty leg cancels, your flight disappears too. Reputable operators will offer a full refund or help you find an alternative. This is the trade-off for the discount—you accept some schedule uncertainty.
Sign up for alerts from charter brokers and operators (like our form above). When a deal matches your route, you'll get notified. The best deals go quickly—often within hours—so being ready to book immediately gives you the best chance.
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