What Are Empty Leg Flights — And How Do You Get One?

By Paulette Salisbury, Founder & CEO — LuxJet Group

Let me start with a scenario.

A client books a private jet to fly from New York to Miami on Friday afternoon. The plane takes off, lands in Miami, drops them off — and now the aircraft needs to get back to New York (or fly somewhere else for its next booking). That return flight? It’s going to happen whether someone is on it or not.

That’s an empty leg.

The jet operator has already covered the cost of the crew, the fuel, the handling fees. They’re not making that money back. So rather than fly an empty plane, they’ll often offer those seats at a fraction of the normal price — sometimes up to 75% off — just to offset the cost.

You’re not getting a worse experience. You’re getting the exact same jet, the same crew, the same service. You’re just buying a seat that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Why Don’t More People Know About This?

Honestly, it’s because private aviation has always been a bit of a closed world. Information travels through brokers, operators, and people who are already in the know. Empty legs get snapped up fast — often within hours of being listed — and they’ve traditionally been marketed to existing clients first.

The internet changed that. A little. There are now platforms and brokers who list empty legs publicly, and if you know where to look, you can find some genuinely incredible deals.

What’s the Catch?

I’d be doing you a disservice if I said there wasn’t one. Here’s what you need to know before you get excited:

The schedule is fixed. Unlike a regular charter where you choose when and where, empty legs run on the operator’s timeline. The plane is going from A to B on a specific date at a specific time. You either fit into that window — or you don’t.

They can change or cancel. If the original client adjusts their trip, the empty leg disappears. The original booking always takes priority. That’s just the nature of the business.

One-way only. You’re flying in one direction. Getting back is your problem to solve separately.

Limited routes. You can’t request an empty leg from Miami to Chicago if no one booked a private jet that happens to be flying that route. You’re at the mercy of where the planes already need to go.

So Who Are Empty Legs Actually For?

They’re perfect for a few types of traveler:

The flexible spontaneous type who sees a great deal pop up and can make it work. Short notice, no problem.

The one-way traveler — maybe you’re flying somewhere for a work trip and you can handle flying commercial on the way back (or vice versa).

The first-timer who’s always been curious about flying private but couldn’t justify the full charter price. An empty leg is genuinely the best way to experience it without the full commitment.

How Do You Actually Get One?

A few ways:

Work with a broker. This is my honest recommendation. A good broker has relationships with multiple operators and will alert you when something comes up that matches what you’re looking for. You won’t be refreshing a website at midnight — they’ll do that for you.

Sign up for alerts on charter platforms. Sites like PrivateFly, Victor, JetSmarter, and others have empty leg listings. You can set filters by route and get notified.

Follow operators on social. A lot of private jet operators will post empty legs directly on their Instagram or email lists. It sounds informal, but it works.

Be ready to move fast. The best empty legs go quickly. Have your passport details handy, know your dates, and don’t overthink it.

One Last Thing

Empty legs are a legitimate part of how private aviation works — they’re not a gimmick, and you’re not getting a second-class experience. The aircraft is the same, the service is the same. You’re just getting in at a moment that works for the operator as much as it works for you.

If you’ve been on the fence about trying private aviation, this is the backdoor.

And once you’ve done it once, you’ll understand why people never want to go back to the commercial terminal.

Have questions about empty legs or want to be alerted when something comes up for your route? Get in touch — that’s exactly what I’m here for.

Paulette Salisbury is the Founder and CEO of LuxJet Group, a private aviation brokerage serving Fortune 500 executives, high profile families, and discerning travelers worldwide. With 25 years in commercial and private aviation, Paulette brings a personal standard to every booking that no algorithm can replicate.

Ready to get your custom quote?

Call or message Paulette directly at +1 (646) 944-0299, email contact@theluxjetgroup.com, or visit www.theluxjetgroup.com.