What Are Empty Leg Flights?
An empty leg (also called a "deadhead" or "ferry flight") occurs when a private jet needs to reposition without passengers. This happens in two common scenarios: after dropping off passengers at their destination and needing to return to its home base, or when flying to a pick-up location to collect the next client. Instead of flying empty, operators offer these legs at heavily discounted rates.
The aircraft, the crew, the safety standards, and the in-flight experience are identical to a full-price charter. The only difference is the price — and the fact that you are flying on someone else's schedule rather than your own. For travellers with flexible plans, empty legs represent one of the best values in private aviation.
At Plane Selection, we monitor empty leg availability across our global operator network and match available flights to client requests. Our database is updated in real time, and our team can alert you the moment a flight matching your preferred route becomes available.
How Empty Legs Work
The mechanics are straightforward. A client books a one-way charter from Paris to London. After the flight, the aircraft needs to return to Paris — but there are no passengers for the return trip. The operator lists this Paris-bound leg as an empty leg at a discounted rate. If you happen to need a flight from London to Paris around that time, you can book it for 50–75% less than a standard charter.
Empty legs are typically available on short notice — anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks before departure. The exact timing depends on the operator's schedule and when the original booking was made. Flexibility is key: if you can adjust your departure time by a few hours or your destination by a short drive, you dramatically increase your chances of finding a match.
Savings Comparison
The discounts on empty leg flights are substantial. Here are some real-world examples of typical savings on popular European routes:
Empty Leg vs. Standard Charter — Price Comparison
| Route | Aircraft | Standard Charter | Empty Leg Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London → Nice | Citation XLS | €14,500 | €5,800 | 60% |
| Paris → Geneva | Phenom 300 | €8,200 | €2,800 | 66% |
| Milan → Zurich | HondaJet Elite | €6,500 | €1,950 | 70% |
| Moscow → Istanbul | Challenger 350 | €32,000 | €9,600 | 70% |
| Dubai → London | Global 6000 | €85,000 | €25,500 | 70% |
| Nice → Ibiza | Citation CJ4 | €9,800 | €2,940 | 70% |
Prices are illustrative based on recent market data. Actual empty leg pricing varies by availability, timing, and operator.
Popular Empty Leg Routes
Certain routes generate empty legs more frequently than others due to the patterns of private jet travel. High-demand origin cities with lower return demand create consistent repositioning flights. The most common empty leg corridors we see include:
- French Riviera: Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez generate heavy inbound traffic during summer and event seasons (Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix), creating frequent outbound empty legs.
- London corridors: As Europe's busiest private aviation hub, London produces empty legs to Paris, Geneva, Nice, Milan, and Zurich almost daily.
- Moscow and CIS: One-way travel patterns between Moscow and European capitals create regular repositioning opportunities.
- Middle East: Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah see strong inbound demand from Europe, generating return empty legs.
- Alpine destinations: Ski resorts like Chambery, Sion, and Innsbruck are heavily one-directional during winter weekends.
How to Book an Empty Leg
Booking an empty leg through Plane Selection is simple:
- Tell us your route and dates. Contact our team with your preferred departure city, destination, approximate dates, and how many passengers will be travelling.
- We search our network. Our operations desk scans available empty legs from our operator partners. If a match exists, we send you the details immediately. If not, we set up an alert to notify you when one becomes available.
- Review and confirm. We present you with the aircraft details, exact timing, and the discounted price. If it works for your schedule, confirm and we handle the rest — just like a standard charter booking.
- Stay flexible. The more flexible you are with dates and times, the higher your chances of securing a great empty leg deal. Being open to nearby airports (e.g., accepting Biggin Hill instead of Luton) also expands your options significantly.
Important Considerations
Empty legs offer outstanding value, but they come with a few caveats that every traveller should understand:
- Cancellation risk: If the original charter booking that created the empty leg is cancelled, the empty leg disappears too. We recommend having a backup plan for time-critical travel.
- Limited flexibility: Unlike a standard charter where you set the schedule, empty leg departure times are largely fixed. You may be able to negotiate a window of 1–2 hours, but major schedule changes are usually not possible.
- Fixed routing: The aircraft is flying from Point A to Point B. Diversions and multi-stop itineraries are generally not available on empty legs.
- Availability is unpredictable: Empty legs appear and disappear quickly. A flight that is available in the morning may be gone by lunchtime. Speed matters when a good opportunity arises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are empty leg flights as safe as regular charters?
Absolutely. The aircraft, crew, maintenance standards, and insurance are identical to a full-price charter. The operator does not cut corners on an empty leg — the aircraft is already flying; you are simply filling a seat that would otherwise be empty. Plane Selection applies the same safety vetting (ARGUS ratings, AOC verification, insurance checks) to empty leg operators as to any other charter.
Can I bring luggage on an empty leg flight?
Yes, the same luggage allowance applies as on a standard charter. The full cargo hold is available to you. Just let us know if you have unusually large or heavy items so we can confirm capacity with the operator in advance.
How far in advance should I book?
Empty legs can appear anywhere from a few weeks to just hours before departure. Most become available 3–7 days before the flight. If you have flexible travel plans, we recommend registering with our alerts system so we can notify you the moment a matching flight appears. Quick decision-making is essential — popular routes sell fast.
Can I change the departure time or destination?
Minor adjustments are sometimes possible (e.g., shifting departure by an hour or using a nearby airport), but the routing and general timing are determined by the original charter booking. For full flexibility over timing and routing, a standard on-demand charter is the better option.
Start Saving on Private Flights
Empty legs are the smartest way to experience private aviation without the full price tag. Whether you are a first-time flyer curious about private jets or a seasoned traveller looking for better value, Plane Selection can help you find the right empty leg at the right price.
Contact our team today to check current availability or set up personalised empty leg alerts for your preferred routes. There is no obligation and no subscription fee — just significant savings when the right flight comes along.
