Private jet ownership and charter costs can be eye-watering—but empty leg flights offer a legitimate shortcut to luxury air travel at a fraction of typical rates. If you understand how they work and where to find them, you can book last-minute flights for 40–60% less than standard charter prices. Here's what you need to know to capitalize on this opportunity.
What Are Empty Leg Flights?
An empty leg (or "deadhead" flight) occurs when a private jet repositions without passengers to pick up the next charter client. Instead of flying the aircraft empty, operators sell those seats at steep discounts. You're booking a real flight on a real jet—just filling capacity that would otherwise go unused.
The catch: availability is unpredictable, routing is fixed to wherever the operator needs the aircraft, and you typically have 7–14 days' notice. If you need a flight from Miami to Aspen but the jet is heading Miami to Denver, that doesn't work for you.
How Much Can You Actually Save?
Charter flights typically cost $3,000–$8,000 per flight hour for light jets, and $5,000–$12,000+ for midsize and heavy jets. Empty legs commonly list at 50–65% below the operator's standard hourly rate.
Real example: A midsize jet charter from New York to Los Angeles normally runs $18,000–$25,000. An empty leg on the same route might cost $8,000–$12,000.
The best savings appear on premium routes with high repositioning demand—transcontinental flights, Caribbean routes, and routes between major metros like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Where to Find Empty Leg Flights
Your options break into three categories:
Operator websites – Major charter companies (NetJets, XO, VistaJet, Wheels Up) post empty legs directly. Sign up for notifications on their platforms; the best deals disappear in hours.
Aggregator platforms – Services like VistaJet, JetSuite, and newer platforms consolidate empty legs from multiple operators in one searchable feed. Mercoly helps you compare and find trusted private jet and air charter providers in one place, making it easier to spot deals across operators.
Empty leg-specific brokers – Companies like Empty Leg, Jettly, and Victor specialize exclusively in discounted repositioning flights. Brokers typically earn commissions, but they actively hunt inventory and often push better pricing to move seats quickly.
Booking Strategy: What Actually Works
Set realistic expectations on routing. Don't open the search with rigid requirements. If you need to travel to a region within a 2–3 hour window, you dramatically increase hit rates. Flexible weekend travelers find more options than those locked into specific departure times.
Check frequently. Empty legs post constantly but move fast. Log in daily to aggregator sites, enable push notifications, and set up saved searches. Operators sometimes release inventory 5–10 days out; other deals surface 48 hours before departure.
Understand the actual cost. Published empty leg rates don't always include landing fees, fuel surcharges, catering, or ground transportation. Confirm all-in pricing before committing. Some operators bundle these; others add $1,500–$3,000 to your final bill.
Book with a charter broker if you're new. Brokers negotiate on your behalf, clarify terms, and handle coordination with the operator. Their commission comes from the operator, not your pocket—and they're invested in preventing last-minute surprises.
Limitations to Know
Empty legs aren't flexible. You can't request a different departure time or adjust the aircraft type mid-booking. You also cannot rely on them for time-sensitive travel; if your flight doesn't materialize, you're reboking a full-price charter or finding commercial alternatives.
Peak travel seasons (holidays, spring break) see fewer empty legs because operators have higher booking demand. Counter-intuitively, winter months outside holidays often yield better availability and pricing.
Is an Empty Leg Right for You?
Empty legs suit travelers with flexible schedules, those comfortable with 1–2 week planning windows, and people who value cost savings over convenience. If you travel frequently on fixed routes, a jet card or membership might deliver better value and predictability.
For occasional luxury fliers or those testing private aviation for the first time, empty legs are an excellent entry point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be a member or have a charter history to book an empty leg? No—you can book empty legs as a first-time customer, though some operators offer better inventory to existing members. Brokers and aggregator platforms accept new clients.
Q: Can I bring the same luggage allowance on an empty leg as a standard charter? Yes. Baggage policies remain unchanged; you're flying the same aircraft under the same operator rules, just at a discounted rate.
Q: What happens if the operator cancels the empty leg? Most operators offer rebooking on another empty leg, credits toward a full-price charter, or a refund. Confirm cancellation terms before paying.
Compare empty leg offerings and find trusted operators on Mercoly to lock in your next discounted private flight.