Short
An empty leg is a flight that an aircraft operates without passengers: returning to its base after booking or continuing to the next destination. These segments are sold at a discount of 30–70% because the aircraft is still flying and the expenses are already included. The discount is subject to strict conditions: the date, time, and route are not adjusted, you are assigned a plane that is flying your destination, and offers can become available 24–48 hours before departure.
Business jets rarely fly a perfect flight path. The aircraft arrives from Dubai to Moscow with a customer, drops them off, and then flies back to Dubai—empty—to its base. This return flight still needs to be operated and paid for, so the operator is willing to take passengers on it at a discount. This is how empty legs come about.
For passengers, this is a chance to secure a charter at a price that can be several times lower than the standard price. For operators, it's a way to close a flight that would otherwise be a pure expense. But empty legs aren't a universal solution and don't work for every route.
What are empty legs?
Empty legs (also known as empty leg flights in international practice) are flights an aircraft performs without a primary customer. These are most often flights that return to base after a customer has dropped off or to prepare for a subsequent flight from another city.
In Russian-language practice, two terms are used for them: «empty flight» and «empty flights»"Both are correct, and both are found on operator and broker websites. Return flight is another synonym that describes the most common scenario: a plane returning from where it dropped off its previous passenger.
If the operator already bears the costs of ferrying the aircraft, additional passengers add little to the cost of the flight. Therefore, such seats are sold at a lower price than standard rentals—sometimes with a discount of 50-70%.
Why is an empty flight cheaper than a regular charter?
A standard business jet lease includes a full range of expenses: fuel, crew, airport fees, ground handling, and aircraft depreciation. With a standard charter, all of these costs are covered by the client.
In the case of an empty flight, the situation is different. The aircraft is already flying on this route, so the main costs will be borne either by the operator (if it's a ferry to a base) or by the previous customer (if it's a return flight after their flight). It's more profitable for the operator to sell seats, even at a discount, than to leave the aircraft empty.
Therefore, renting a business jet for less on an empty-leg basis is made possible not by "promotions," but by the actual economics of the route. This isn't a marketing discount, but a way to fill an already scheduled flight.
When are empty legs suitable?
Empty leg flights aren't suitable for every trip. The format is most useful in two situations: when the travel date is flexible and when only a one-way flight is needed.
Flexible dates and willingness to fly on a given route
An empty flight isn't selected based on a passenger's request; it's determined by the operator's schedule. If your route coincides with an already scheduled leg, you may be able to join. The wider the date window and the more closely the route matches, the better your chances of securing an offer.
Empty-leg flights work well when travel isn't tied to a specific day. For example, if you need to travel from Moscow to Dubai during the week, you can depart on either Monday or Friday. With this flexibility, your chances of finding a suitable deal are significantly higher.
One-way flight without complicated changes
Most empty-nester flights are flights from point A to point B with no return leg or lengthy layover at the destination. If your goal is a one-way trip, this format is ideal.
Empty leg flights are less common when a complex route with multiple stops is needed, or when returning on the same plane several days later. For such situations, a regular charter is more practical.
What are the restrictions on empty flights?
The main limitation is unpredictability. Empty legs appear and disappear along with the main order. If the client whose flight is being used for the leg changes their plans, the empty leg is canceled or rescheduled. This needs to be understood in advance.
The route and date are fixed. Changing the arrival airport or moving the departure by a few days is not possible: the flight is already built into the operator's schedule.
Confirmation times are often short. Sometimes, an empty flight becomes available 24-48 hours before departure. If you're ready to plan your trip quickly, this is a plus. If you need certainty a week in advance, this isn't always the case.
You don't choose the type of aircraft. If you're flying a Cessna Citation CJ3 to your destination, you'll have to fly that one, even if a Bombardier Challenger 3500 would be more comfortable for a large group. The flight, not the passenger, determines the aircraft's specifications. Specific models and specifications are in aircraft catalog.
Last-minute cancellations are possible. If you cancel the main booking, empty legs are automatically cancelled, and the operator typically refunds the payment or offers an alternative—but does not guarantee the exact same route on the desired date.
How are empty legs different from a regular business jet charter?
The comparative picture looks like this.
- Business jet rental – this is "the plane tailored to you": the customer chooses the route, date, time, and aircraft type. Empty legs – this is "the plane tailored to you": the route and date are already determined, and you decide if it fits your trip;
- In a standard charter, the cost is calculated based on all flight components. In an empty-ticket flight, only the delta is charged: the use of an already planned route. Because of this, a discount of 30-70% is often offered, but it's not guaranteed and isn't published as a price list.;
- Chartering offers flexibility in timing and route up until the moment of departure. During an empty flight, any changes are virtually impossible – the aircraft follows the agreed-upon schedule of the primary customer;
- In a typical charter, an aircraft is always provided upon request. In an empty-flight, the passenger joins an already scheduled flight.
These formats don't compete; they complement each other. For some purposes, a standard charter makes sense, while for others, empty flights are more appropriate. The only question is which approach is best suited to a specific route and schedule.
How to find an available empty flight
Empty legs appear as operators and brokers confirm their main bookings. Therefore, there is no single "schedule" of empty flights—there are current offers for the coming days and weeks.
The most reliable way is to sign up for alerts with a broker that aggregates offers from dozens of operators. You enter your desired routes, date range, and number of passengers. When a suitable empty flight becomes available, you receive an offer.
The second method is to request a specific route from a broker. A manager will check the schedules of operators in the desired direction and offer available options. The more flexible your requests, the greater the chance of finding a suitable offer.
Empty-leg flight lists published on operator and broker websites reflect only a portion of the market. Many offers sell out quickly, especially on popular routes like Dubai-London and Almaty-Istanbul.
How to check if an offer is suitable
Before confirming empty legs, it's worth checking a few parameters. This takes 10-15 minutes, but it protects against surprises.
- The exact departure and arrival airport: sometimes the operator suggests an airport that is convenient for the transfer, but inconvenient for the passenger;
- Departure date and time with an acceptable window (usually without the possibility of shifting);
- The type of aircraft and the number of seats are important for luggage and comfort;
- Cancellation Policy: What happens if the primary customer cancels;
- Included services: transfer, catering, ground handling – are not always included in the discount price;
- Additional charges: airport taxes, FBO, night flights may be added separately.
A good broker will provide all this information up front. If an offer is published without cancellation terms or without specifying the exact aircraft type, it's worth checking before paying.
Bottom Line: When Empty Legs Are Really Beneficial
Empty leg flights are ideal for those who are flexible with their dates and routes, willing to make decisions quickly, and don't need a return flight on the same plane. Under these circumstances, the discount is real, and this option can significantly reduce the cost of a private flight.
Empty legs aren't suitable if the date, route, and aircraft type are all firmly fixed. For such situations, a standard charter is more practical: it's more expensive, but it gives you control over all flight parameters.
At JetHunter, we maintain a database of current empty-ticket deals in the Middle East, Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. If the destination you're interested in doesn't appear today, a notification subscription for suitable flights runs in the background, and you'll receive the offer as soon as it becomes available.
Leave a route for selection: date range and number of passengers - the manager will check current offers and notify you when a suitable empty flight becomes available.
