Education
Why book
an empty leg?
Empty legs are one of the best-kept secrets in private aviation. Here's why.
How it works
When a private jet operator accepts a one-way charter, the aircraft needs to return to its home base — or reposition for the next job. That repositioning flight is already happening. The fuel is bought, the crew is paid. The only question is whether anyone is on board.
Rather than fly empty, operators list these "empty legs" at a significant discount. For them it's pure revenue recovery. For you it's private aviation at prices that are otherwise impossible to access.
Example
London → Cannes
A standard charter of a mid-size jet on this route might cost £18,000–£25,000. The empty leg returning the same aircraft could be listed at £6,000–£10,000 — and if you apply the ELS10 code, you save an additional 10% on top of that.
Six reasons to book an empty leg
Significant cost savings
Empty legs are typically 50–90% cheaper than the same aircraft on a standard charter. The operator has already absorbed the fixed cost — you're just filling a seat that would otherwise fly empty.
Uncompromised luxury
The same aircraft, the same service, the same private terminal experience. Empty legs don't mean lower standards — they mean the same jet at a fraction of the price.
Last-minute flexibility
Empty legs often become available at short notice. If you can move quickly when a good flight comes up, you'll consistently find exceptional deals that simply don't exist for people who plan ahead.
Global reach
Empty legs cover routes worldwide — not just the popular ones. Operators position aircraft between continents, creating opportunities across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.
Efficiency and time savings
Private aviation means no commercial terminals, no long security queues, and no boarding delays. Empty legs give you all of that — departing when you want, from private FBOs.
Direct with the operator
When you click through to book, you deal directly with the operator. No third-party booking, no platform sitting between you and the aircraft.
Who it works best for
If you can be flexible on dates or routes, empty legs are the smartest way to fly private.