The Complete Guide to Empty Leg Flights

What Is an Empty Leg?

When a private jet charter drops passengers at their destination, the aircraft often needs to return to its base or reposition for its next booking. That return flight, flying empty, is called an "empty leg" or "repositioning flight."

Rather than flying with no passengers, operators offer these empty legs at a significant discount, sometimes up to 75% off the standard charter price.

How Much Can You Save?

Savings vary depending on the route, aircraft type, and operator, but typical discounts range from 50% to 75% off the regular charter cost. A London to Geneva flight that normally costs £7,000 might be available as an empty leg for £2,500, £3,500.

The Catch: Limited Flexibility

Empty legs come with important limitations:

• —Fixed route and direction, you fly where the aircraft is already going, not where you want to go
• —Fixed timing, departure is dictated by the previous charter's schedule
• —No guarantees, if the original charter changes or cancels, the empty leg may be withdrawn
• —One, way only, you'll need to arrange your return separately

For travellers with flexible schedules and a sense of adventure, these limitations are a small price to pay for the savings.

How to Find Empty Legs

Empty legs appear and disappear quickly, an aircraft might become available with just a few hours' notice. Here's how to stay ahead:

1. —Register with a brokerage, A good brokerage (like Beaumont Aviation) will alert you when a suitable empty leg becomes available on your preferred routes
2. —Be flexible, The more flexible your dates and destinations, the more opportunities you'll see
3. —Act fast, Empty legs are first, come, first, served. When you see one that works, book it immediately
4. —Have your documents ready, Ensure passports and passenger details are on file so you can confirm instantly

Best Routes for Empty Legs

Some corridors generate more empty legs than others, typically where there's an imbalance in charter demand:

• —London to Geneva/Zurich, heavy ski traffic creates repositioning flights
• —London to Nice/Ibiza, summer seasonal demand
• —London to Dubai, long, haul corporate traffic
• —London to Paris/Brussels, frequent short, haul corporate shuttles

Is an Empty Leg Right for You?

Empty legs are ideal for:

• —Leisure travellers with flexible schedules
• —Last, minute trips where timing aligns
• —Solo travellers or small groups
• —Those wanting to experience private jet travel at a lower price point

They're less suitable for:

• —Business travellers with fixed meeting times
• —Those who need a guaranteed return flight
• —Large groups requiring a specific aircraft category

Register for Empty Leg Alerts

Beaumont Aviation maintains a network of vetted operators across Europe and beyond. Register your preferred routes with us, and we'll notify you the moment a matching empty leg becomes available.

Contact our team to register for empty leg alerts today.