How Empty Legs Work
Private aviation at a fraction of the cost. Understanding the market is the first step to accessing it.
Empty Legs Explained
When a private jet flies passengers one way and needs to return to its base or next pickup location, that return flight is called an "empty leg." Rather than fly empty, operators offer these flights at 25-75% below normal charter rates. An estimated 30-35% of private jet flights in the U.S. operate as repositioning flights, representing billions of dollars in potential value annually.
We Monitor the Market
Our platform continuously scans charter operators and aviation marketplaces across the U.S., aggregating empty leg opportunities from 10+ data sources into a single intelligence feed. Listings are continuously refreshed and appear on the platform within minutes of being published.
Every Flight Is Scored Against a Fuel-Floor Estimate
For each listing we compute the operator's fuel-floor — the minimum price they'd rationally accept, built from Jet-A burn for that aircraft, airport handling fees, and a thin margin. The spread between listed price and floor is how much room there is to negotiate, not an arbitrary discount off some opaque "market rate." Full formula is published.
Read the methodology →Set Your Monitors
Tell us which routes or departure cities you care about. Our alert system watches for matching opportunities and notifies you the moment something appears — before it disappears. Paid members receive real-time SMS and email alerts.
Book Directly
When you find an opportunity, you book directly with the charter operator. We connect you to the source — no markup, no intermediary fees. The savings are yours.
What's the catch?
Empty legs offer exceptional value, but they come with trade-offs. We believe in transparency — here's what you should know.
Flights can be cancelled
Empty legs depend on the primary booking. If the original trip changes, the empty leg may be modified or cancelled. This is the inherent trade-off for the significant discount.
Times are mostly fixed
Departure times are set by the operator's schedule. Some allow flexibility of 1-2 hours, but most are fixed. This works best for flexible travelers.
It's one-way
Empty legs are one-way flights. Return trips require finding a separate empty leg, booking a charter, or flying commercial. Our system helps by showing return options when available.
The best deals go fast
Exceptional Value listings often book within hours. Real-time alerts (available to paid members) give you the speed advantage needed to act on the best deals.
Common Questions
Are empty legs safe?
Empty legs use the same aircraft, pilots, and operators as full-price charters. The only difference is the pricing. Safety standards are identical.
Can I bring luggage and pets?
Yes. You have the same luggage capacity and cabin access as a regular charter. Most private charter operators allow pets in cabin — confirm directly with the operator when booking.
How much can I actually save?
Typical savings range from $10,000 to $30,000 per flight compared to a standard charter on the same route. The exact amount depends on the aircraft type, route, and how the deal is priced relative to market rates.
New to private aviation? These terms come up frequently:
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