Learn how to book empty leg flights step-by-step and save 50–75% on private jet travel. Discover where to find deals, how to set alerts, and how to act fast like a pro traveler.
Introduction
Most people don’t know this.
They think every private jet flight costs $25,000, $50,000, $80,000. They don’t realize that sometimes — under the right circumstances — that same jet, same aircraft, same route… can be booked for less than one-third of the price.
No scam. No loophole. Just timing and leverage.
Empty leg flights (also called repositioning flights) are the aviation industry’s worst-kept secret. Roughly 40% of all private jet movements fly empty — no passengers, no revenue, burning fuel at a loss. Operators would rather earn something than let that flight go completely unsold. That’s where savvy travelers step in and secure a $45,000 jet ride for $12,000 — or a $20,000 flight for $6,000.
But here’s the problem: most beginners have no system. They wait for the perfect timing… and miss every single opportunity.
So here it is — a step-by-step guide to booking empty leg flights, based on proven tactics used by brokers, executives, and high-level travelers who refuse to pay full price but still fly like royalty.
Step 1: Understand What an Empty Leg Flight Actually Is
Before you chase deals, you need to get the core concept.
An empty leg flight happens when a jet needs to reposition from one airport to another without any paying passengers. Usually this is because:
- A client booked a one-way flight
- The jet needs to return to base
- The plane is deadheading to pick up a new client
That repositioning flight is sold at a discount — sometimes 30%, often 50–75% off the normal charter rate. But there’s a catch: the schedule is fixed. The destination is fixed. And if the original client cancels… the empty leg disappears too.
Step 2: Know Where to Find Empty Leg Deals
These flights aren’t shown on Expedia or Kayak. You need to go directly into the private aviation ecosystem.
Top Platforms & Apps:
- PrivateFly – last-minute empty leg alerts
- Victor – strong filtering tools for Europe and U.S.
- Avinode / Stellar MLS – broker-only platforms (use a broker for access)
- JetSuite – U.S. west coast and Mexico
- Jettly or Jettly Deals Page – subscription-based options
- Operators like NetJets, Flexjet, XO – offer proprietary empty leg lists to members
Insider Tip:
Also follow private jet operators and charter brokers on LinkedIn, Instagram, and private Facebook groups like “Private Jet Empty Legs” — many operators post last-minute flights there before they appear on official websites.
Step 3: Set Alerts & Build a Notification System
Empty leg flights are about speed. Most disappear within 2–4 hours of being posted. You need alerts.
- Enable push notifications in apps like PrivateFly and Victor
- Subscribe to broker mailing lists (search “empty leg newsletter”)
- Tell 2–3 brokers exactly which routes interest you (NY–Florida, LA–Vegas, London–Nice, etc.)
- Ask them to text you the moment a matching leg appears
Timing is everything. If you wait for the weekend to check your email, you lose.
Step 4: Be Flexible (The Golden Rule)
The reason some people never manage to book an empty leg flight is because they insist on a specific departure time and city. That almost never works. Successful flyers do this:
✅ Willing to shift departure by 1–2 days
✅ Open to nearby airports (e.g., Teterboro vs. Newark, or Van Nuys vs. LAX)
✅ Comfortable with no return flight at the same price
✅ Ready to book instantly if the route matches
Flexibility multiplies your chances 10X. Waiting for a perfect match usually means missing out forever.
Step 5: Move Fast and Come Prepared
An alert goes out. You see a flight. You hesitate — someone else takes it.
Have this ready before the next alert hits your phone:
- Passport details on hand
- Credit card or wire transfer account ready
- Friend or partner confirmed (if traveling together)
- Airport preferences saved
When you reply to a broker or operator, say:
“I can confirm right now if this is still open — please send contract.”
That confidence makes them prioritize you instantly.
Step 6: Confirm Terms & Final Cost Before Paying
Even with a discount, confirm what’s actually included:
- Are there additional handling, landing, or FBO fees?
- Are there fuel surcharges not included in the empty leg price?
- Any cancellation penalties if the original flight is canceled?
- Does the quote include airport taxes?
Always ask for a final, all-in price before transferring funds.
Step 7: Book, Board, Fly
Once confirmed, the operator sends a contract. Sign, pay, board.
It feels surreal the first time — stepping onto a jet that would normally cost $35,000, except you’re paying $8,000. Same cabin. Same pilots. Same champagne.
Insiders Use These Tricks to Increase Odds
- Identify major event calendars (Super Bowl, Art Basel, World Economic Forum). Plan to book empty legs right after huge events conclude — jets need to reposition in bulk.
- Track flight patterns on FlightAware to get a feel for jet repositioning habits.
- Build rapport with one broker; loyalty gets you first dibs.
Conclusion: Leverage, Not Luck
Empty leg flights aren’t random gifts. They’re the result of understanding aviation economics — and being nimble enough to act when opportunity appears. The people who save 60% on private travel aren’t “lucky.” They’re systematic, alert, and ready.
Set up your alerts. Build flexibility. Move fast.
Once you book your first empty leg flight, you’ll never see private jet pricing the same way again — because you’ll have cracked the code few travelers ever learn.