Empty Leg Flights: The Honest Guide to Flying Private for Less
Every week somebody asks us some version of the same question: "Is there a way to fly private without paying full price?" The answer is yes, sometimes. It's called an empty leg, and it's probably the most talked about (and most misunderstood) deal in private aviation.
What Is an Empty Leg Flight?
An empty leg is a flight where the aircraft has to fly somewhere with no passengers on board.
Here's how it usually happens. Say a client charters a light jet from Van Nuys to Aspen, one way. They're staying for a week, so the jet has to fly back to LA empty. That return trip is an empty leg. Same thing when a plane has to reposition to pick up its next client, or head back to its home base after a drop-off.
The operator is flying that route either way. The fuel is getting burned, the crew is getting paid. So instead of flying an empty cabin, they'll often sell that seat (really, the whole plane) at a big discount. For them, some money is better than none. For you, it can be a private jet at a fraction of the normal cost.
Sounds perfect, right? Mostly it is, but there are some catches, and its worth knowing them before you get your heart set on one.
How Much Can You Save on an Empty Leg?
On a normal one-way charter, you're usually paying for the flight out and the plane getting back home (or to its next job). That's why one way private jet trips can feel so expensive. An empty leg takes that repositioning cost off the table.
In our experience, empty legs usually go for something like 25% to 75% less than a regular one-way charter on the same aircraft. How big the discount is depends on how close to departure it is, how popular the route is, and how badly the operator wants to fill it. The closer it gets to the flight time, the better the price tends to get.
The Catches (and Yes, There Are Catches)
We'd rather you hear these from us than find out the hard way:
The schedule isn't yours. The empty leg exists because of somebody else's trip. If the original client moves their flight, your empty leg moves too, or disappears completely. Operators can usually change or cancel an empty leg with very little notice.
The route is fixed. If the plane is going from Scottsdale to Van Nuys, that's where it's going. A small detour is sometimes possible for a price, but you can't turn it into Scottsdale to Seattle.
Usually one way only. You'll almost always need a separate plan for getting home.
Flexibility is everything. Empty legs work best for people who can leave same day or next day, and who have a backup plan.
So here's our honest opinion: empty legs are awesome for flexible trips, like a spur-of-the-moment weekend in Vegas or Cabo, a one-way home after a trip, or when you can easily shift a day. They're not what we'd recommend when you absolutely have to be somewhere, like a wedding, a board meeting, or a race weekend with a fixed arrival time.
Where Empty Legs Show Up the Most
Empty legs follow the traffic. Wherever lots of people fly one way at the same time, planes end up going back empty. A few patterns we see over and over:
Southern California ↔ Las Vegas. Probably the most common empty leg route out West. Planes drop groups in Vegas on Friday and come back to Van Nuys, Burbank or John Wayne empty, then do the reverse on Sunday.
LA ↔ Cabo San Lucas. Busy all winter, especially around the holidays. Lots of one-way drops means lots of empty legs.
The ski mountains. Aspen, Vail/Eagle, Jackson Hole and Sun Valley in winter. Tons of people fly in for the week, so planes head home empty.
Florida in winter, the Northeast in summer. Jets follow the snowbirds south in the fall and the Hamptons crowd north in the summer, then fly back empty.
Big events. After the Super Bowl, a big F1 race or Art Basel, you get a wave of aircraft repositioning home. The days before the event are packed, but the days after can have really good empty leg options going the opposite way.
One thing people don't expect: the Sunday after a big event is usually the worst day to find an empty leg out of that city (everyone's leaving) and one of the best days to find one into it.
How to Book an Empty Leg (Tips From Experience)
There are apps and websites that list empty legs, and they're fine for browsing. The problem is most of those listings are already stale by the time you see them, or they're really just advertising. Here's what actually works:
Tell a broker your route and your flexibility. Something like "I want to go LA to Vegas sometime between Thursday and Saturday for 4 people." A good broker is watching repositioning flights across hundreds of operators and can match you when something lines up. That's alot more effective than refreshing an app.
Be ready to say yes fast. Good empty legs get grabbed quickly, sometimes within hours of showing up.
Always have a backup. If the empty leg changes, you want a plan B, whether that's a regular charter, an airline seat or just shifting a day. We'll always tell you what a normal charter would cost on the same route so you can compare.
Ask what happens if it cancels. Know the terms before you pay. The discount comes with less certainty, and that's the trade.
Check the aircraft and operator like you would for any charter. A cheap price doesn't change the safety standard. It should be a certified charter operator, just like any other trip.
And if an empty leg doesn't line up, don't write off private altogether. For a group of 5 or 6, a light jet or turboprop on a short route like LA to Vegas or Scottsdale can get surprisingly close to the cost of first class tickets once you add up the time you're not spending at the airport. Check out our light jet charter and aircraft guide pages to see what fits your group.
Empty Leg FAQs
What is an empty leg flight?
An empty leg is a private jet flight that would otherwise fly without passengers, usually a return or repositioning trip after a one-way charter. Operators sell them at a discount.
How cheap are empty leg flights?
Often 25–75% less than a standard one-way charter on the same aircraft. The deal gets better the closer you get to departure.
Can an empty leg be cancelled?
Yes. If the original client changes their trip, the empty leg can move or be cancelled, sometimes on short notice. Always have a backup plan.
Can I book an empty leg round trip?
Rarely. Empty legs are almost always one way. Most people pair one with a regular charter, or find a second empty leg going back.
Can I bring my dog on an empty leg?
Usually yes, same as any charter. Just let us know when you book so we can confirm with the operator.
What's the best way to find empty legs from Los Angeles or Orange County?
Tell us your route, your group size and how flexible your dates are. We watch repositioning flights across hundreds of operators and let you know when something fits.
Looking for a Deal on Your Next Flight?
Send us your route and your flexibility and we'll look for empty legs first, then show you regular charter options side by side, so you always know you're getting the best deal available.
Get a private jet quote or call +1 (949) 969-3423, 24/7.
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