Understanding Empty Leg Flights

It is both surprising and unfortunate that in the business aviation sector, approximately 44% of private jets fly completely empty, carrying neither passengers nor cargo. An empty-leg flight is when a private jet flies without passengers or cargo. This happens when the plane must return to its home base or move to another location for its next charter. Theoretically, this offers travellers a chance to experience the luxury of private flying for less money.

Numerous operators and charter brokers concentrate their marketing strategies on filling empty legs to ‘democratize’ private aviation, thereby making it more accessible. While there are advantages from financial and environmental standpoints, the service may be unsatisfactory if clients are not fully informed before booking. Logistically and from a service standpoint, numerous complications can arise, making the process more challenging than it appears. So, what is the reality of empty legs, and what can actually occur?

While empty leg flights can provide significant savings, it’s crucial to be aware of their limitations. Such flights may have strict restrictions on changes, cancellations, or may require adherence to fixed itineraries.

Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of booking an empty leg flight to prevent unexpected issues. Keep in mind that a “discount” does not imply “inexpensive” – booking an economy seat on a commercial airline will always be more cost-effective. Even with a 75% discount, a 90-minute empty leg flight can still cost several thousand dollars off the original charter price.

Below are the top tips to ensure you are well-informed before inquiring about an empty leg flight.

• When considering booking an empty leg flight, it’s crucial to understand that the schedule is determined by the aircraft’s repositioning requirements. Therefore, the dates, routes, and times may vary more than those of standard commercial flights. Hence, booking empty leg flights could offer better opportunities if you have flexible travel dates. Openness to various options can enhance your likelihood of securing an appropriate empty leg that matches your itinerary. If you’re open to arranging your plans around an unconfirmed flight to enjoy the benefits of private flying at a lower cost, then opting for an empty leg flight could be an excellent choice. However, when travelling for an important event, the desired flights may not always be available on your preferred travel dates.
• Securing the best deals on empty leg flights requires both good timing and flexibility. However, planning ahead can also provide an edge. Due to their popularity, empty leg flights are frequently snapped up quickly.
• Explore dedicated platforms or specialized providers that focus on empty leg flights;
• Familiarise yourself with the seating capacities of private jets to better suit your needs. If you have a group ready to travel and willing to pay for their seats, be aware that operators may require booking the entire jet, unlike semi-private flights. Therefore, maximising the number of passengers can help ensure you enjoy the lowest cost per seat.
• As a niche segment of the air travel market, there may be only one flight available between your chosen departure and arrival cities in the month you plan to travel. There’s no guarantee that the return flight will be on an empty leg, so it’s essential to have a backup plan.
• Make sure the advertised empty legs are actually real and updated, sometimes they are not always accurate and sometimes don’t even exist.
• Without agreed permits and a secured crew, there is no absolute guarantee that an empty leg flight will proceed. It’s also important to remember that empty legs rely on the primary charter proceeding without any alterations to the aircraft’s scheduled itinerary. Consequently, there is always a risk of last-minute delays or cancellations, even just a few hours before departure.
• Be mindful of the final price, as hidden costs may be added to the flight by some providers. Many brokers often fail to disclose additional taxes, fuel surcharges, landing fees, and other expenses necessary for the flight’s operation. When flying in winter, it’s also advisable to check if the operator reveals their de-icing costs before booking. Additionally, Wi-Fi is typically billed after the flight based on the amount of bandwidth consumed.
• Always review the terms and conditions prior to flying. Operators may not provide any protection in the event of an AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situation due to maintenance issues. If you have strict travel plans and need to be at a specific location for an event, it’s advisable to consider booking a traditional charter, even if an empty leg flight seems to align with your schedule.

A proficient broker will always recommend a contingency plan and strive to secure availability for an urgent flight departing from the same or a nearby airport. It’s important to remember that empty leg flights, from an operator’s viewpoint, are merely incidental to their core business of passenger transport. Consequently, they are bound by the same limitations as any private jet charter.

Typically, the availability of empty leg flights increases during the peak travel seasons and significant holidays, as jets are frequently repositioning. By remaining adaptable and keeping an eye on available flights, you can take advantage of outstanding deals for luxury travel at substantially reduced prices.

In conclusion, empty leg flights are ideally suited for those with flexible schedules who enjoy spontaneous trips. However, it’s wise to have a backup plan to avoid any potential disruption to your vacation.