WHAT IS AN EMPTY LEG FLIGHT & WHEN DO THEY MAKE SENSE?

In private aviation, the term empty leg is often associated with significant savings and exclusive travel opportunities. While empty leg flights can offer excellent value in the right circumstances, they're also one of the most misunderstood aspects of the charter market.

Understanding how they work—and when they're the right choice—can help travellers make informed decisions while avoiding unrealistic expectations.

WHAT IS AN EMPTY LEG?

An empty leg, sometimes referred to as a repositioning flight, is a sector flown without passengers.

This occurs when an aircraft needs to relocate for its next booked charter, return to its operating base, or position for maintenance or crew scheduling. Rather than operating empty, the aircraft may be made available for charter at a reduced rate.

For example, if a client charters an aircraft from London to Nice, the aircraft may need to return to London or continue to another destination to fulfil its next booking. That repositioning sector becomes an empty leg.

WHY ARE EMPTY LEGS OFFERED AT REDUCED PRICES?

The aircraft is scheduled to fly regardless of whether passengers are on board.

By selling the empty sector, operators can recover a portion of the operating costs, making the flight available at a lower price than a standard private charter.

While discounts can be substantial, pricing varies depending on the aircraft type, route, timing and market demand. Every empty leg is unique, and availability can change quickly.

THE ADVANTAGES OF EMPTY LEGS

For travellers with flexible schedules, empty legs can present an attractive opportunity.

Benefits include:

• Access to private aviation at a reduced cost

• The same privacy, comfort and convenience as a standard charter

• Direct flights between available destinations

• Flexible departure from private terminals

• Access to airports not typically served by scheduled airlines

The onboard experience is identical to any other charter flight—the difference lies in the aircraft's operational requirement to reposition.

FLEXIBILITY IS ESSENTIAL

Although empty legs can represent excellent value, they are not suitable for every journey.

Unlike a dedicated charter, the route, departure time and destination are already determined by the aircraft's operational schedule. Travellers must be willing to adapt their plans to match the available flight.

In addition, empty legs can occasionally change or be cancelled if the original charter itinerary is amended.

For clients with fixed meeting times, sporting events or international connections, a dedicated charter often provides greater certainty and flexibility.

WHEN DOES AN EMPTY LEG MAKE SENSE?

Empty legs are particularly well suited to:

• Leisure travellers with flexible departure dates

• Weekend breaks and spontaneous travel

• One-way journeys

• Clients seeking to experience private aviation for the first time

• Seasonal travel where multiple repositioning flights are available

They are generally less suitable for business-critical travel or itineraries where exact timings cannot be compromised.

THE VALUE OF WORKING WITH A CHARTER BROKER

Empty leg opportunities often become available at short notice and can disappear just as quickly.

Rather than searching multiple operators individually, working with an experienced charter broker provides access to a wider network of aircraft and repositioning opportunities.

A broker can also advise whether an empty leg genuinely represents good value or whether a dedicated charter may offer a more practical solution based on your itinerary.

The objective should never be to secure the lowest price at the expense of reliability, but to find the solution that best meets your travel requirements.

BEYOND THE PRICE

While reduced pricing naturally attracts attention, the true value of private aviation lies in the time it saves, the flexibility it provides and the overall travel experience.

For some journeys, an empty leg may be the perfect solution. For others, a dedicated charter offers the convenience of choosing your own departure time, routing and airport.

Understanding the difference allows travellers to make the right choice for each individual trip.

THE LEVARE AVIATION APPROACH

At Levare Aviation, we believe every charter solution should be driven by your travel requirements — not simply by aircraft availability.

Through our global network of carefully selected operators, we identify both dedicated charter options and suitable empty leg opportunities where they genuinely add value.

Our role is to provide transparent advice, tailored recommendations and seamless travel planning, ensuring every journey is built around your priorities.