Empty Leg Flights Explained: How to Find Deals
Empty legs are one of the best-kept secrets in private aviation. They offer genuine luxury travel at a fraction of the standard cost — if you know how to find and use them.
What Is an Empty Leg Flight?
An empty leg (also called a "deadhead" or "ferry flight") occurs when a private jet needs to fly without passengers. This typically happens in two scenarios:
- After a one-way charter: The aircraft has dropped off passengers and needs to return to its home base or next departure point
- Before a pickup: The aircraft needs to reposition to collect passengers for an upcoming booking
Rather than flying empty, operators offer these flights at heavily discounted rates — typically 30–60% below standard charter prices.
How Much Can You Save?
| Route Example | Standard Price | Empty Leg Price | Savings | |--------------|----------------|-----------------|--------| | London → Paris | €10,000 | €4,000–€6,000 | 40–60% | | Geneva → Nice | €8,000 | €3,500–€5,000 | 38–56% | | Milan → London | €14,000 | €6,000–€8,000 | 43–57% |
Savings vary by route, aircraft, and timing.
Pros of Empty Leg Flights
- Significant savings — 30–60% below standard rates
- Same aircraft, same service — you get the full private jet experience
- Ideal for flexible travellers — perfect if your dates align
- One-way convenience — most empty legs are one-way flights
Cons and Limitations
- Limited flexibility — departure time and route are fixed
- Short notice — most empty legs are available 1–7 days before the flight
- Cancellation risk — if the underlying charter cancels, the empty leg may be cancelled too
- Fixed route — you can't significantly change the origin or destination airports
- Variable availability — popular routes may sell quickly
How to Find Empty Leg Flights
1. Subscribe to Alerts
The most effective way to find empty legs is to subscribe to our empty leg alerts. We'll notify you when flights matching your preferred routes become available.
2. Check Regularly
Browse our current empty legs page for the latest available flights across Europe.
3. Be Flexible
The more flexible you are on dates, times, and airports, the more empty leg opportunities you'll find. Consider nearby airports — a Geneva empty leg might work perfectly if you're heading to the French Alps.
4. Contact Us Directly
Tell us your preferred routes and travel dates, and we'll proactively match you with empty legs as they become available.
Tips for Booking Empty Legs
- Act fast — popular routes sell within hours
- Have your details ready — passenger names, contact info
- Understand the terms — cancellation policies may differ from standard charters
- Consider the airports — empty legs use specific airports that may differ from your ideal choice
- Book the return separately — empty legs are almost always one-way
Common Empty Leg Routes in Europe
High-traffic routes with frequent empty leg availability:
- London ↔ Paris
- London ↔ Geneva
- Paris ↔ Nice
- Geneva ↔ London
- Milan ↔ London
- Zurich ↔ Nice
- Munich ↔ Ibiza (seasonal)
Ready to Save?
Browse current empty legs or subscribe to alerts to be notified when flights matching your route become available.