The short version
An empty leg happens when a private jet needs to reposition and the flight would otherwise fly with an empty cabin. Instead of wasting it, the flight is available at 50–75% off. A $25,000 flight might be $8,000–$12,000. The catch: dates and routes are fixed. If you have got flexibility, empty legs are the best deal in private aviation.
What is an empty leg?
Here is a simple example. A client books a one-way flight from Teterboro to Miami. The aircraft has to fly back to Teterboro the next day for its next scheduled flight. That return trip — with an empty cabin — is the empty leg.
Rather than fly empty, the flight is offered at a steep discount. You get the same aircraft, same crew, same experience — at a fraction of the price. The Après Air network adds new empty legs daily from across our fleet of 2,700+ aircraft.
Step 1
Client books Teterboro → Miami
Step 2
Aircraft must return to Teterboro
Empty leg
Miami → Teterboro at 50–75% off
How much can you save?
Savings vary by route, aircraft, and timing, but 50–75% off standard charter pricing is typical. Here are current deals on the Après Air network.
Check today’s empty leg deals for current availability and pricing.
Deals update daily. Prices and availability change frequently — the best empty legs go within hours.
How to find empty legs
The challenge with empty legs is timing. They appear with short notice — often just days before the flight. The best strategy is setting up alerts on your regular routes so you are first to know.
Set up route alerts
Tell Après Air your regular corridors. When an empty leg matches, you get a text message before it hits the public listings. First movers get the best deals.
Check the deals page
New empty legs are added daily at apresair.com/empty-legs. Browse by route, aircraft, and date. Every listing shows the aircraft, number of seats, flight time, and discounted price.
Talk to your concierge
Tell your concierge team your upcoming travel dates and preferred routes. They will proactively flag empty legs that match your plans — sometimes before they are published.
The honest catch
Empty legs come with real trade-offs. Being upfront about them helps you decide if they are right for your trip.
Fixed dates
Departure dates and times are set by the primary charter. There is little to no flexibility. You fly when the empty leg flies.
Fixed routes
Origin and destination are determined by the aircraft's repositioning needs. You cannot change them — but nearby airports may be available.
Cancellation risk
If the primary charter that created the empty leg cancels, your empty leg goes away too. Full refund, but the trip is off.
Limited choice
You fly whatever aircraft is available on that route. You cannot upgrade or swap to a different plane. The deal is the deal.
For flexible travelers, these are minor trade-offs for savings of 50–75%. For travelers who need specific dates and times, standard charter is the better fit.
Tips for booking empty legs
Sign up for route alerts
The single most effective strategy. Get notified by text the moment a deal matches your corridor. The best empty legs are booked within hours of posting.
Be flexible on dates
Even 1–2 days of flexibility dramatically increases your chances. If you can travel Tuesday instead of Wednesday, your odds of scoring a deal multiply.
Act fast
Empty legs go quickly. When you see a deal that works, book it. Deliberating overnight usually means losing it.
Consider nearby airports
If your ideal route is not available, check airports within an hour's drive. A deal flying into White Plains instead of Teterboro is still a deal.
Embrace one-way
Most empty legs are one-way. Book the empty leg in one direction and use commercial, another empty leg, or a standard charter for the return.
Who empty legs are best for
Flexible leisure travelers
Weekend getaways, vacation trips, and travel where the exact date matters less than the experience. Perfect for exploring private aviation without the full price tag.
Second-home owners
If you fly the same corridor regularly — New York to Palm Beach, LA to Aspen, Chicago to Naples — empty legs appear on your routes frequently. Alerts make it automatic.
Groups splitting the cost
A $10,000 empty leg split four ways is $2,500 per person. Split eight ways, $1,250. Less than a domestic first-class ticket.
First-time private flyers
Empty legs are the most accessible entry point to private aviation. Try it at a fraction of the cost and see if the experience is worth making a habit.
Event-goers who can plan around deals
Heading to Art Basel, the Kentucky Derby, or Masters week? Empty legs cluster around major events as aircraft reposition. Watch for deals 1–2 weeks before.
Empty legs on Après Air
New deals added daily from across the Après Air network of 2,700+ aircraft. Every listing shows the route, aircraft type, number of seats, estimated flight time, and the discounted price.
Browse current deals or set up text alerts on your regular routes. When a match lands, you will know before everyone else.
Frequently asked questions
What is an empty leg flight?
An empty leg is a private jet flight that would otherwise fly with an empty cabin. When a jet completes a one-way charter and needs to reposition for its next trip, the return flight is offered at a steep discount — typically 50–75% off the standard charter price.
How much cheaper are empty legs?
Empty legs are typically 50–75% off standard charter pricing. A flight that normally costs $25,000 might be available for $8,000–$12,000. Savings vary by route, aircraft, and timing. The best deals go fast — sign up for alerts on your regular routes.
Can I change the date of an empty leg?
Generally, no. Empty leg dates and times are fixed because they are tied to the scheduling of another charter. Some flights have a small window of flexibility — an hour or two — but the date is typically firm. This is the trade-off for the steep discount.
What if the empty leg gets cancelled?
If the primary charter that created the empty leg cancels, the empty leg goes away too. This happens occasionally. Après Air will notify you immediately and either find an alternative aircraft on the same route or provide a full refund. It is a known risk of empty leg flying.
How far in advance are empty legs available?
Most empty legs appear 1–7 days before the flight, though some are posted 2–3 weeks out. The short notice is another trade-off for the pricing. Setting up route alerts ensures you are first to know when a deal matches your corridor.
Can I book a round trip on empty legs?
It is possible but uncommon. Finding two empty legs on the same route, in both directions, at the right times is rare. Most empty leg travelers book one-way and use commercial, another empty leg, or a standard charter for the return.
Are empty legs the same quality aircraft?
Yes. You are flying the same aircraft that just completed a full-price charter. Same crew, same cabin, same service. The only difference is the price. Every aircraft in the Après Air network meets the same safety and quality standards regardless of pricing.
How do I get notified about empty legs on my routes?
Sign up for Preferred Access on Après Air. Tell us your regular routes and travel corridors, and you will receive a text message when an empty leg matches. You can also check apresair.com/empty-legs anytime — new deals are added daily.
Fly private for less
Today’s empty leg deals
New deals added daily. Save up to 75% on private jet flights across the Après Air network.
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Written by the Après Air team. Last updated: March 2026.