Private jet travel has a reputation for being exclusively for the ultra-wealthy. Empty leg flights challenge that assumption entirely. If you have flexibility in your schedule, you can access the same aircraft, the same crew, and the same private terminal experience for a fraction of the standard charter price.
This guide explains exactly how empty leg flights work, how much you can realistically save, and how to find and book one in 2026.
Looking for an empty leg on your route? Request a quote and our team will check current availability 24/7.
What Is an Empty Leg Flight?
An empty leg flight is a private jet repositioning without passengers. It happens because most private jet clients book one-way trips. When a jet completes a charter from New York to Miami, it still needs to get back to New York (or fly to its next departure city) for its following booking. That return or repositioning flight is the empty leg.
Because the aircraft is going to fly that route regardless, operators sell the empty seats at a deep discount rather than flying with zero revenue on board. The primary charter client has already covered the core operational costs. The empty leg price only needs to offset fuel, crew time, and handling fees.
You may also hear empty legs called:
- Dead legs (traditional industry term)
- Ferry flights (when repositioning to a new base)
- Repositioning flights (used interchangeably with empty leg)
All three refer to the same thing. In 2026, "empty leg" is the more common marketing term, while "dead leg" or "ferry flight" is the traditional industry terminology used by operators and brokers.
How Much Can You Save on an Empty Leg Flight?
The savings are significant. Savings are typically between 50% and 75% off the standard charter price, depending on the route, aircraft type, and how close to departure you book.
Here are real examples of what that looks like in dollar terms:
| Route | Standard Charter | Empty Leg Estimate | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami to New York | $18,000-$24,000 | $5,000-$9,000 | Up to 70% |
| New York to Los Angeles | $40,000-$55,000 | $12,000-$22,000 | Up to 70% |
| Miami to Bahamas | $8,000-$10,000 | $2,500-$4,000 | Up to 65% |
| Dallas to Las Vegas | $22,000-$30,000 | $7,000-$12,000 | Up to 65% |
| Los Angeles to Las Vegas | $10,000-$14,000 | $2,500-$5,000 | Up to 75% |
Travelers can fly from Los Angeles to Las Vegas for under $3,000 or from Miami to the Bahamas for around $3,000 all-in on an empty leg.
One important note: the empty leg customer still needs to cover additional costs such as catering, passenger taxes, and additional fuel requirements beyond the base discounted rate. Budget an additional 10-15% above the quoted price for these pass-throughs.
Who Are Empty Leg Flights Best For?
Empty legs are not for every traveler. The core requirement is flexibility. Here is who benefits most:
Flexible or Spontaneous Travelers
Empty leg flights are ideal for travelers who enjoy spontaneity, are not bound by rigid schedules, and are primarily focused on luxury at a value. If you can decide on a Thursday that you want to be somewhere by Friday, empty legs are built for you.
Groups Splitting the Cost
Empty legs are not typically sold on a per-seat basis. The price indicated is for the entire aircraft. That makes groups the biggest winners. A light jet empty leg at $4,500 split across six passengers is $750 per person, which is frequently cheaper than a first-class commercial ticket on the same route.
Travelers Near Major Private Aviation Hubs
The best chances of finding a cheap empty leg deal are centered around the main private jet hotspots, which are the major cities that see a large number of private jet charter flights. Empty legs between the west coast and east coast of the USA occur on a very regular basis.
Cities with the highest empty leg frequency in the US include Miami, New York (Teterboro), Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Aspen, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons during peak seasons.
First-Time Private Flyers
Over 60% of registered users on major empty leg platforms are first-time private flyers. Empty legs have become the entry point for travelers who want to experience private aviation before committing to a full charter.
The Trade-offs: What You Give Up With an Empty Leg
The discount comes with real limitations. Understanding them upfront prevents frustration.
Fixed Route and Timing
The departure city, arrival city, and schedule are set by the primary charter client, not by you. You book around the aircraft, not the other way around. The time is set by the primary charter's schedule. If you require a specific departure time, you should book a standard charter instead.
Cancellation Risk
This is the biggest one. Because the flight is dependent on the original charter booking, changes or cancellations by the primary passenger may affect the availability of your empty leg. If the original client cancels, your empty leg disappears with it. Always confirm the cancellation policy before booking and consider travel insurance for high-value trips.
Short Booking Windows
While some empty legs are listed weeks in advance, most appear just a few days before departure. You need to be in a position to move quickly when a matching flight appears.
One-Way Only
Empty legs are always one-way. Your return trip needs to be arranged separately, either through another empty leg, a standard charter, or a commercial flight.
How to Find Empty Leg Flights in 2026
Finding empty legs used to require knowing a broker personally. That has changed significantly.
Work With a Charter Broker
A good broker monitors empty leg availability across the entire fleet they work with, not just a single operator. When you tell a broker your route, flexibility window, and budget, they can match you to opportunities as they appear in real time. This is the most reliable method for finding specific routes.
Contact the MyVIP Aviation team and we will search current empty leg availability for your route alongside standard charter options, so you can compare both.
Monitor Online Platforms
Several platforms aggregate empty leg listings from multiple operators. The FAA's registry can help you verify that any aircraft you book is properly certified under Part 135, which is the operating standard for commercial charter flights.
Stay Flexible on Airports
If you're open to any airport in Florida instead of just Miami, you'll find more options to choose from. Expanding your acceptable departure or arrival airports by 30-60 miles dramatically increases the number of matching empty legs.
Follow Seasonal Patterns
Empty leg availability is not random. It clusters around:
- Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) when outbound flights spike and return legs flood the market
- Major events like the Super Bowl, Art Basel Miami, Aspen ski season, and Coachella
- Summer in the Hamptons and Nantucket where private jet volume creates near-constant repositioning activity
- FIFA World Cup 2026 across North American host cities, which will generate significant repositioning traffic throughout the summer
Are Empty Leg Flights Safe?
Yes. Every aircraft must meet the same rigorous safety standards regardless of the ticket price. The pilots and maintenance requirements do not change because the flight is discounted.
When you book an empty leg, you are flying on the same aircraft, operated by the same certified crew, under the same Part 135 air carrier certificate as a full-price charter. The discount reflects the economics of the repositioning flight, not a reduction in safety standards, maintenance requirements, or crew qualifications.
Always confirm the operator holds a valid Part 135 certificate and check their ARGUS or WYVERN safety rating before booking. These are the two leading independent safety audit programs in private aviation.
Empty Legs vs. Standard Charter: Which Is Right for Your Trip?
| Factor | Empty Leg | Standard Charter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 50-75% off standard | Full market rate |
| Schedule flexibility | None, fixed by operator | Completely flexible |
| Route | Fixed | Any route |
| Cancellation risk | Yes, if primary client cancels | No |
| Booking notice | Often 24-72 hours | Weeks in advance |
| Best for | Flexible travelers, groups, one-way trips | Business travel, guaranteed schedules |
The simplest way to think about it: if you have a hard commitment at the destination (a board meeting, a wedding, a surgery), book a standard charter. If you have a destination in mind and flexibility around timing, an empty leg will get you there for a fraction of the price.
How to Book an Empty Leg With MyVIP Aviation
The process is straightforward:
- Tell us your route and window. Share your preferred departure city, destination, and the date range you can travel. The wider your window, the more options we can surface.
- We search current availability. Our team checks live repositioning schedules across our operator network for matching flights.
- Review and confirm. We send you aircraft details, pricing, and the full terms including the cancellation policy tied to the primary charter.
- Fly. You arrive at the private FBO, skip the terminal, and board directly.
Request an empty leg search or use our price estimator to get a baseline on what a standard charter would cost for the same route, so you know exactly how much you are saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an empty leg flight cost?
Empty leg pricing varies by route and aircraft, but savings typically run 50-75% below the standard charter rate. A New York to Miami light jet empty leg might run $4,500-$8,000 versus $18,000-$24,000 for a standard charter on the same aircraft.
Can I request a specific departure time on an empty leg?
No. The departure time is fixed by the primary charter client's schedule. If you need a specific time, a standard charter is the right option.
What happens if the primary client cancels?
Your empty leg is cancelled along with the primary charter. This is the main risk of empty leg travel. Confirm the cancellation policy before booking and consider travel insurance for higher-value itineraries.
Are empty legs sold by the seat or the aircraft?
Almost always by the aircraft. You pay for the full plane regardless of how many people travel with you, which is why groups get the most value out of empty legs.
How far in advance do empty legs get listed?
Most appear within 72 hours of departure, though some are listed 1-2 weeks out. The best strategy is to brief a broker on your route and flexibility window so they can alert you the moment a matching flight appears.
Is the private jet experience different on an empty leg?
No. You use the same private FBO, the same aircraft, and the same crew as a full-price charter. The only difference is the price.
Ready to fly private for less? Browse our full fleet, explore destinations, or contact our team to search current empty leg availability on your route.