As you look out the plane window, you see the world below, each place calling you. Imagine flying in your own private jet, skipping the crowds of commercial flights. Thanks to “empty leg” flights, this dream is now within reach.
These flights happen when a plane moves to its next destination without passengers. Companies offer big discounts on these flights to cover costs. This makes flying private more affordable and easy.
Key Takeaways
- Empty legs flights can offer discounts ranging from 20% to 80% compared to renting an entire private jet.
- Prices for upcoming empty leg flights can range from £1,500 to £60,000 depending on the route and aircraft.
- A variety of business jet models are available for empty leg flights, including Citation M2, Challenger 300, Gulfstream V, and Phenom 100.
- Private jet charter companies often have a significant portion of their fleet flying empty, providing opportunities for discounted empty leg flights.
- Membership programmes can offer complimentary or discounted access to empty leg flights, making private air travel more accessible.
We’ll look into empty legs, their benefits and drawbacks, and how to book them. Whether for a luxury trip or business travel, empty legs can make private flying cheaper and more convenient.
What Are Empty Legs?
Empty leg flights are a special part of the private jet charter world. They happen when a private jet moves without passengers to get ready for another trip or to go back home. These flights are often sold at big discounts, usually 50-75% off the usual price.
These flights are needed because when someone books a private jet from one place to another, the plane must go back to its starting point or somewhere else for the next trip. Instead of flying back empty, companies offer these flights to people at lower prices.
Definition and Explanation
Repositioning flights or ferry flights are what empty leg flights are called. They help private jet companies make money and cover costs like fuel and moving the plane around. Passengers get to enjoy flying private at a much lower cost.
Empty leg flights usually happen when a private jet heads back to its base without passengers after a charter trip. Or, it moves to pick up new passengers. Often, they occur when someone books a one-way ticket and the plane has no return passengers.
| Characteristic | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Discounted Fares | Empty leg flights are usually 50-75% cheaper than the usual charter price. |
| Flexibility | These flights offer more flexibility in planning, often available on short notice. |
| Convenience | Traveling on an empty leg charter means a more personal and comfy trip, skipping the long security lines. |
Empty leg flights change often because they depend on the jet operators’ booking schedules. If you want to grab these deals, keep an eye out. They might not be planned far ahead.
The Pros of Empty Legs
Private jet travel with empty legs offers big advantages for smart travellers. One key benefit is the lower fares. Data shows that empty leg flights can cut costs by up to 75% compared to normal private jet charters. This makes private flying more affordable for more people.
Empty leg flights also mean more comfort and convenience. Private jets have special features not found on commercial flights, like quick boarding and personal service. By choosing empty leg flights, you get to enjoy these perks at a lower cost, making your trip better.
“Smart Aviation often has empty legs to places like Nice, Ibiza, Dubai, New York City, and Los Angeles. This lets our clients enjoy private flying at a lower cost,” says Mark Hawkins, Managing Director of Smart Aviation, a top name in global sports chartering.
Empty legs are great for quick trips or business travel, where being flexible and saving time is key. They also help reduce the carbon emissions from private flying, making them a greener choice.
The Cons of Empty Legs
Empty leg flights can save you a lot of money. But, they have some downsides. The main issue is their inflexibility in scheduling and routes. These flights are one-way and often available on short notice, within a few days before departure. So, you need to be very flexible about when and where you travel.
Also, empty leg flights can be cancelled anytime. This is because the plane’s owner might need it for a full-price charter or due to technical problems. This unpredictability can be a big problem for those who need reliable travel plans.
Lack of Flexibility
Empty leg flights have big limitations due to their lack of flexibility and the chance of cancellations. You’ll need to be ready for changes or cancellations at the last minute. This can be hard for people with busy schedules or specific travel needs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Percentage of empty leg flights | 30% – 50% of all privately chartered flights |
| Potential cost savings on empty leg flights | Up to 75% cheaper than standard price |
| Increase in Google searches for ‘how to book empty leg flights’ | 120% – 180% in the last year |
| Potential cost savings on a Budapest to Milan flight | £2,084 per person vs £319 per person on an empty leg |
| Flights with schedule modifications or cancellations | 1 in 4 empty leg flights |
| Typical price reduction for empty leg flights | Up to 60% lower than regular prices |
When thinking about empty leg flights, consider their flexibility issues and the chance of cancellations. The savings are big, but the need for flexibility and the risk of last-minute changes might not work for everyone.
empty legs
Empty legs, or one-way private jet flights, are not random. They are on popular routes for private jet travellers. These routes link major private jet hubs like New York and South Florida, New York and Los Angeles, and South Florida and Los. These are in high demand, making it easier for charter companies to fill the empty legs.
Some empty leg flights also go to and from other private jet centres like Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and Cleveland. Internationally, they are mainly on routes from the US East Coast to Western Europe.
| Route | Estimated Price Range | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| New York to South Florida | $10,000 – $15,000 | High |
| New York to Los Angeles | $15,000 – $20,000 | High |
| South Florida to Los Angeles | $12,000 – $18,000 | High |
| US East Coast to Western Europe | $20,000 – $30,000 | Moderate |
| Chicago to Dallas | $8,000 – $12,000 | Low |
You can book empty leg flights 24 hours a day. You can also change your flight to fit your needs, as long as you’re going in the same direction. But remember, empty legs can change. They depend on the operator’s schedule and other bookings.
“Private jet empty legs can be sold at a discount of up to 50 – 75% off the usual charter price, making them an attractive option for those seeking a more luxurious travel experience.”
Booking Empty Leg Flights
Booking an empty leg flight is a bit tricky but can lead to great deals. Companies like Victor, VistaJet, Jettly, and New Flight Charters list their empty flights online. You can check these sites and set alerts for new deals.
Some, like XO, let you book by the seat, perfect for solo or small groups. But remember, these flights can change or cancel at short notice. Always have a plan B.
Here are tips for finding the best deals on how to book empty leg flights:
- Regularly check the websites of top private jet brokers for empty leg flights.
- Sign up for alerts from these companies to know when new empty leg availability is posted.
- Be flexible with your travel plans to get the biggest discounts.
- Book quickly when you spot a deal, as they go fast.
| Discount for Private Jet Flights | Prices for Empty Leg Flights | Probability Rates for Upcoming Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 90% when booking empty leg flights | As low as €990 to book the entire aircraft for up to 4 passengers | Range from 8% to 71% |
Using empty leg flights lets you enjoy private jet travel at a lower cost. With some research and flexibility, you can get amazing deals. This makes your next trip luxurious.
“Empty leg flights offer discounts up to 75% compared to regular charter prices.”
Conclusion
Empty leg flights have made private jet travel cheaper and more accessible. Charter companies offer big discounts on one-way flights. This helps them make money and lets customers enjoy luxury travel at a lower cost.
These flights have some downsides, like less flexibility and reliability. Yet, they offer a special chance for smart travellers to enjoy the perks of private aviation.
Learning about the pros and cons of empty legs helps more people enjoy private jet travel. The savings and the green benefits of using planes more efficiently make these flights a great choice for luxury travel on a budget.
For those planning a sudden holiday or a last-minute business trip, empty legs are ideal. They let you enjoy the privacy and custom service of flying private at a lower cost. By keeping up with these deals, you can explore the world in style through private jet travel.