Empty leg flights: how to fly private for less

What is an empty leg flight?

An empty leg flight, also called a dead leg or repositioning flight, is the movement of a private jet with no passengers on board. It happens because business aviation runs largely on one-way trips: after dropping its passengers, an aircraft has to return to its base or position itself for the next client. That return or positioning flight takes place whether or not anyone is on board.

Rather than fly empty with no revenue at all, the operator offers this segment at a reduced fare. According to industry estimates, a significant share of private flights, often cited at around 30 to 40%, corresponds to this kind of repositioning. These figures remain industry estimates and do not rest on a published study, but they illustrate a simple point: these opportunities exist on the market all the time.

Why an empty leg costs less

The reduced fare comes from the logic of repositioning. The cost of the flight already exists for the operator, who therefore seeks to offset part of it rather than fly empty. Any revenue earned on this segment is worth having, which allows prices well below those of a flight arranged from scratch.

The discount nevertheless varies widely depending on how well your plan matches the repositioning already scheduled. It often sits between 25% and 75% compared with an on-demand charter, and can reach 75% in the best case, when the date and the route line up precisely. These percentages are industry benchmarks, never a guarantee: the real saving always depends on how well your request fits the aircraft's route.

Empty leg or on-demand charter: which to choose?

An empty leg and an on-demand charter follow two different logics. The first puts price first, at the cost of reduced flexibility; the second offers complete freedom, at full price. The table below sums up the key differences.

To understand how the price of a standard flight is built, see our dedicated page on the cost of renting a private jet.

The limits of an empty leg

An empty leg rests on a flight already scheduled by the operator, which brings several constraints to know before booking:

• Fixed route: the departure and arrival are set by the repositioning need, and do not change.
• One-way only: an empty leg is by nature a one-way flight; a return requires another flight, which may not exist.
• Limited time flexibility: the departure window depends on the aircraft's schedule.
• Cancellation risk: if the paying flight that generates the repositioning is changed or cancelled, the empty leg may be too.
• Short lead times: many opportunities appear a few days, sometimes a few hours, before departure.
• No guaranteed availability: there is no certainty that an empty leg will be offered on a given date or link.

These limits take nothing away from the appeal of an empty leg: they simply remind you that it is an opportunity, to be seized when your flexibility meets the right route.

How to book an empty leg

Empty legs are scattered across many operators and change constantly, which makes them hard to track live. This is where a broker proves its worth: it accesses operators' repositioning schedules in real time, compares the offers and matches your plan to an opportunity as soon as one appears. You will find more on this support in our article on the added value of a charter broker.

The key is your flexibility. The more flexible your dates, times and even your airports, the higher the chance of finding a suitable empty leg. The busiest links, such as Paris-Nice, generate more repositioning and therefore more opportunities. By telling us your route and your room for manoeuvre, our teams monitor these movements and flag the empty legs that match your request.

Who is an empty leg for?

An empty leg suits flexible travellers in particular, able to adjust their date and time, as well as one-way trips and last-minute departures. It also appeals to those who want to experience business aviation at a reduced fare, accepting the absence of a guarantee.

Conversely, it is poorly suited to a fixed business agenda, a return trip on set dates or a journey planned long in advance. In those cases, an on-demand charter remains preferable. To choose the aircraft best suited to your needs, our guide to aircraft categories and range will help, and you can browse all aircraft in our aircraft fleet.

Private jet charter with IBC Aviation:

Our teams advise you on the aircraft best suited to your itinerary and your needs, and flag the empty legs that match your request. Available 24/7:

• France: +33 1 41 69 88 88
• Switzerland: +41 22 880 28 88
• Dubai: +971 55 303 5161
• Bangkok: +66 81 808 2866
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

What is an empty leg flight?

It is a private jet flight flown without passengers to reposition the aircraft, when it returns to its base or heads to the start of its next mission. As that segment happens anyway, it is resold at a reduced fare.

How big is the discount on an empty leg?

The discount often sits between 25% and 75% compared with an on-demand charter, and can reach 75% when the date and the route line up precisely with a scheduled repositioning. These figures are industry benchmarks, not a guarantee.

How much does an empty leg cost?

The price depends on the aircraft, the distance and the repositioning involved. It represents a fraction of an on-demand charter, from a few thousand euros for a light aircraft over a short distance. The exact fare is provided case by case.

How do you book an empty leg?

The simplest way is through a broker with real-time access to operators' repositioning schedules. By giving them your route and your flexibility, you are alerted as soon as an opportunity matches your request.

Can an empty leg be cancelled or changed?

Yes. An empty leg depends on the paying flight that generates the repositioning. If that flight is changed, rescheduled or cancelled, or if the aircraft needs maintenance, the empty leg may be too.

Where can you find empty leg flights?

Empty legs are spread across many operators and often appear at short notice. A broker centralises these scattered opportunities and matches them to your plan, which makes the search much simpler.

Is an empty leg one-way or return?

An empty leg is by nature one-way, since it corresponds to a specific repositioning flight. A return requires a second flight, which is not always available.