Think private jet travel is only for celebrities and billionaires? Think again.
Between 30% and 50% of all privately chartered flights are actually empty return legs. These “empty leg flights” offer you the chance to experience luxury private aviation at a fraction of the standard cost.
The savings speak for themselves: empty leg flights typically cost 30% to 75% less than regular charter pricing. What was once completely out of reach suddenly becomes achievable for savvy Australian travellers.
So what exactly are empty leg flights?
They occur when a private jet completes a one-way charter and needs to return to base or reposition for the next client. Rather than fly empty, charter companies now offer these seats at heavily discounted rates.
An empty leg flight between Sydney and Melbourne might cost you $6,000-$9,000, compared to over $20,000 for a standard charter. The aircraft is the same, the service is identical, but the price is dramatically different.
You’ll need flexibility with your timing and routes. But the payoff is experiencing genuine private aviation luxury without the premium price tag. These opportunities are limited, spontaneous, and highly competitive (the perfect combination of exclusivity and exceptional value).
This guide covers everything you need to know about finding empty leg flights, understanding booking platforms, and securing your first discounted private jet experience.
The Appeal of Private Jet Empty Leg Flights
What makes empty leg flights so compelling for Australian travellers? The answer lies in their ability to deliver genuine luxury experiences at prices that won’t break the bank.
These repositioning flights maintain every element of premium private aviation. The only difference is the dramatically reduced cost.
Luxury experience at a lower cost
The numbers don’t lie when it comes to empty leg savings. Charter companies routinely offer these flights at discounts of between 25% and 75% off standard rates. Yet you receive the identical private jet experience: spacious cabins, premium service, rapid boarding, and complete privacy.
Consider these real examples: a Citation Latitude empty leg from Miami to New York costs $15,289, while the standard charter exceeds $27,500. Even more impressive, a flight between Bristol International Airport and Paris-Le Bourget can be available for just $485 per person.
The quality remains unchanged. Your empty leg flight includes the same exclusive benefits as any private charter: seamless boarding processes, luxurious onboard amenities, multi-lingual service, two experienced pilots, private dining options, premium bed linens, and carefully curated wine selections.
Why they’re growing in popularity
Empty leg flights are experiencing explosive growth across Australia and globally. Google searches for these flights surged 120% during 2023, reflecting increasing awareness of this travel option. The pandemic further accelerated demand as travellers sought safer, more private alternatives to commercial aviation.
Several key factors drive this popularity surge. Most importantly, empty legs provide first-time private flyers with an affordable entry point into luxury travel. These flights particularly appeal to:
- Business executives requiring efficient transport between major commercial hubs
- Leisure travellers who can adjust their schedules for savings
- Luxury holidaymakers combining private flights with premium accommodation
- Groups and families (particularly when comparing costs to multiple business class tickets)
Charter companies win, too. Rather than accepting total losses on necessary repositioning flights, they generate revenue while maximising aircraft utilisation. This creates a win-win scenario where travellers access luxury experiences at reduced prices, and operators offset operational costs they’d incur regardless.
How Empty Leg Flights Work
The logistics behind private aviation create these opportunities, and understanding the mechanics helps you spot the best deals.
What causes an empty leg
Empty leg flights stem from the operational realities of private charter services. Most commonly, they occur when clients book one-way charter flights. After dropping passengers at their destination, the aircraft needs to return to its home base or reposition for the next booking. Aircraft maintenance requirements also generate ferry flights when jets serviced away from their home location need to return.
Here’s the key insight: aircraft operators face the same costs whether passengers are aboard or not. Fuel, crew wages, landing fees, and maintenance expenses accumulate regardless of passenger load. Rather than absorbing complete losses on these necessary repositioning flights, operators offer them at discounted rates to recover some operational costs.
This creates genuine win-win scenarios, you access luxury travel at reduced prices while operators offset unavoidable expenses.
Fixed routes and timing explained
Empty leg flights operate quite differently from standard charters. These flights run on predetermined schedules that cannot be customised. The departure and arrival airports, along with flight times, are locked in based on the original charter’s requirements.
Expect limited advance notice: availability typically appears just days before departure. Your empty leg flight will adjust if the primary charter gets delayed or rescheduled.
The dependency on the original booking creates both opportunities and challenges. Should the primary client change or cancel their plans, it directly affects the associated empty leg flight. Final departure details might not be confirmed until shortly before takeoff.
Domestic vs. international availability
Australian domestic routes typically offer more frequent ferry flight opportunities due to higher flight volumes between major business centres like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. International deadhead flights, while less common, often provide greater savings because of the longer distances involved.
Peak season demand affects availability patterns significantly. Popular leisure destinations during busy periods see genuine discounted empty legs become increasingly rare.
Finding the right deadhead flight requires balancing your flexibility with practical travel needs. Those willing to adapt their schedules and destinations will find the most opportunities.
How to Find Empty Leg Flights and Book Your First Trip
Ready to secure your first empty leg deal? Success comes down to knowing where to look and acting fast when opportunities arise.
Using alerts and newsletters
Email and SMS notifications are your best friends. Most charter companies offer dedicated alert systems for empty leg opportunities. The smart move? Sign up for services that let you specify your preferred routes, departure cities, and travel windows.
Here’s how it works: the moment a ferry flight becomes available, you’ll get immediate notification. This gives you a crucial head start over other travellers. But here’s the thing, these flights can vanish within hours of being posted, so quick action is essential.
Searching broker platforms
Multiple online platforms aggregate empty leg listings from various operators. Websites like Jettly, VistaJet, and XO maintain dedicated empty leg sections. These platforms typically allow you to filter by departure location, destination, and dates.
Mobile apps have made browsing for available flights even more convenient. However, don’t overlook direct contact with charter companies. They sometimes hold unpublished deals that never make it to the public platforms.
Step-by-step booking process
Found the perfect flight? Here’s your action plan:
- Verify all flight details: Double-check departure/arrival airports, aircraft type, and what’s included
- Move quickly: These operate on a first-come, first-served basis
- Have documentation ready: Prepare passenger details and required documents
- Read the fine print: Understand cancellation policies completely
- Secure with payment: Complete your booking immediately
Note: For professional guidance on finding and booking empty leg flights, Air Charter Network offers expert aircraft charter services and specialised advice.
What to expect after booking
You’ll typically receive a detailed itinerary and confirmation shortly after booking. Keep in mind that since empty legs depend on the original charter flight, timing may remain tentative until closer to departure.
Stay in regular contact with your provider regarding any schedule changes. Reputable operators will work with you to find alternatives if the original flight gets modified.
Who Should Consider Booking an Empty Leg Flight
Empty leg flights aren’t suitable for everyone, but they’re perfect for certain types of Australian travellers who value luxury and smart spending.
Business travellers
Business executives benefit significantly from empty leg flights beyond simple cost savings. These flights maximise productivity by bypassing long security lines and crowded terminals. With private terminals, you arrive just minutes before departure and conduct business in complete privacy during the flight. This travel option works best for location-independent professionals who can conduct business from multiple destinations or those needing last-minute transportation for critical meetings.
The time savings alone justify the investment. Rather than arriving two hours early for commercial flights, you can arrive 15 minutes before departure and be airborne immediately.
Families and groups
Empty leg flights become remarkably cost-effective for families and groups. The numbers work in your favour – filling all eight seats on an empty leg between New York and Florida costs approximately $1,700 per person. These flights create ideal opportunities for milestone celebrations, family reunions, or special vacations. They’re particularly suited to groups where the per-person cost becomes comparable to premium commercial tickets while delivering an incomparable experience.
Think about it: a family of six paying for business class tickets to Europe versus sharing a single empty leg charter. The private jet option often wins on both cost and convenience.
First-time private flyers
Empty legs provide the ideal entry point into private aviation. If you’ve always wanted to experience private flying but were deterred by traditional costs, these flights offer that opportunity without the financial strain. They’re particularly beneficial for travellers who enjoy spontaneity and aren’t bound by rigid schedules. First-time flyers receive the complete private jet experience (from personalised service to flexible scheduling) at a fraction of the regular price.
The bottom line: Empty leg flights suit flexible travellers who can adapt their schedules for exceptional value.
Conclusion
Empty leg flights remain one of luxury travel’s best-kept secrets – and now you know exactly how to find them.
The beauty of these opportunities lies in their simplicity. You get the complete private jet experience without paying premium prices. Sure, you need flexibility with dates and destinations, but that adaptability unlocks savings of 30% to 75% off standard charter rates.
Who benefits most from empty legs?
The answer is broader than you might expect. Business executives escape crowded terminals and gain productive travel time. Australian families discover that private group travel can cost less than multiple business class tickets. First-time flyers finally access luxury aviation without the traditional price barriers.
Your success depends on preparation and speed. Set up those alerts, bookmark broker platforms, and be ready to act when the right opportunity appears. Remember, these flights operate on a first-come, first-served basis – hesitation often means missing out.
Contact Air Charter Network for professional aircraft charter services and expert guidance on securing your empty leg flight. Their industry expertise helps navigate the complexities of finding and booking the best opportunities available.
Empty leg flights prove that luxury travel doesn’t always require luxury budgets. With the right approach and realistic expectations, your next special trip or business journey could involve the unmatched comfort of private aviation at a price that actually makes sense.
The question isn’t whether empty leg flights offer exceptional value. The question is: are you ready to take advantage of these opportunities when they appear?
