If there's one "hack" in private aviation, it's empty leg flights. They're the closest thing to a private jet deal — and they're completely legitimate. Charter operators offer them regularly, and savvy travelers use them to fly private at a fraction of the normal cost.
💡 An empty leg is a flight that would otherwise happen with zero passengers. Operators sell these at steep discounts — typically 25–75% off — rather than eat the full cost of flying an empty plane.
How Empty Legs Work
Here's a simple example:
- A client charters a jet from New York to Miami on Friday
- The jet drops them off in Miami
- The jet needs to fly back to New York (its home base) on Saturday — with no passengers
- That return flight is the "empty leg"
- The operator offers it at a big discount to recoup some of the cost
Empty legs also happen before a trip. If a jet is based in Chicago but the client is departing from Dallas, the flight from Chicago to Dallas (to pick up the client) is an empty leg.
How Much Do Empty Legs Cost?
| Route Example | Normal Charter | Empty Leg Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York → Miami | $18,000 | $6,000–$10,000 | 44–67% |
| LA → Las Vegas | $9,000 | $3,000–$5,000 | 44–67% |
| Chicago → New York | $15,000 | $5,000–$8,000 | 47–67% |
| Dallas → Houston | $7,000 | $2,500–$4,000 | 43–64% |
| Miami → New York | $18,000 | $5,500–$9,000 | 50–69% |
The Catch (There's Always a Catch)
Empty legs are great deals, but they come with real limitations:
Fixed Schedule
You fly when the empty leg is available — not when you want. The date and time are set by the original charter booking. Some operators offer a window of flexibility (a few hours), but don't expect to change the departure day.
Fixed Route
The departure and arrival airports are set. You can sometimes negotiate a nearby airport, but you can't change the route entirely.
Cancellation Risk
Here's the big one: if the original charter that created the empty leg gets cancelled or rescheduled, your empty leg disappears too. Most operators will try to find an alternative, but it's not guaranteed. Always have a backup plan.
Last-Minute Availability
Most empty legs are posted 1–7 days before the flight. That means you need to be flexible and ready to move quickly when a good deal pops up.
💡 Empty legs are perfect for: flexible travelers, spontaneous weekend trips, one-way travel where you don't need a return flight, and anyone willing to trade scheduling control for a massive discount.
Where to Find Empty Leg Deals
Several platforms and operators list empty leg flights:
- Charter operator websites — Most major operators (NetJets, VistaJet, XO, Wheels Up) list available empty legs on their sites
- Broker apps — Apps like XO, JetSmarter, and FlyExclusive aggregate empty legs from multiple operators
- Direct relationships — If you build a relationship with a charter broker, they can alert you when legs match your preferred routes
- Email lists — Many operators run email lists specifically for empty leg deals. Sign up for every one you can find
Tips for Booking Empty Legs
- Sign up for alerts on your most-traveled routes. The best deals go fast
- Be airport-flexible. If the empty leg departs from a different airport than you'd prefer, check if it's worth the drive
- Understand the cancellation policy before you book. Some operators refund fully if the leg is cancelled; others offer credits
- Book immediately. Popular routes (NY-Miami, LA-Vegas) sell out within hours of being posted
- Use empty legs for one-way trips. They're ideal when you only need a flight in one direction — like flying to a destination for vacation and flying home commercial
Are Empty Legs Worth It?
Absolutely — if you're flexible. You're getting the exact same aircraft, crew, and experience as a full-price charter. The only difference is the schedule isn't designed around you.
For someone who's always wanted to try flying private but couldn't justify the cost, an empty leg is the perfect entry point. You might pay $3,000–$5,000 for an experience that normally costs $15,000+.
The key is patience and flexibility. Set up alerts for your preferred routes, and when the right deal hits — jump on it.