Empty Legs: How to Hire a Private Jet at a Fraction of the Cost

Empty Legs: How to Hire a Private Jet at a Fraction of the Cost

It would help if you were prepared when traveling on a private jet charter because it will be much more expensive than a commercial flight. Of course, flying empty legs can save you a tremendous amount of money, but you’ll still get to travel in a luxury private jet with plenty of great amenities.

In this article, we will analyze empty leg flights, their pros and cons, how it differs from charter flights on private jets, the price, and where it is better to fly on an empty leg flight.

What Is an Empty Leg?

Empty leg flights are performed without people on board. The private jet must be transferred to another charter flight or returned to the airport. The reasons why planes need to be transferred from one place to another can be a lot, for example, another flight you are waiting for or if it has already completed the flight and dropped passengers at its destination, and it is returning. Another reason may be a technical check of the aircraft after it has delivered passengers.

Unlike a private jet charter, empty leg flights do not have an exact departure date set in advance. As a result, flight information will only be available for a few days.

What Is an Empty Leg?

How Empty Legs Are Different From Charters

What is the difference between a private jet charter and an empty legs flight, and what are the pros and cons of such flights.

Advantages

  • Cheaper than private jet charter;
  • In exceptional cases, there is access to the entire aircraft;
  • The private terminal where you check-in;
  • Premium Service;
  • Expanded menu (if agreed in advance);
  • High safety standards;
  • Airspeed.

Disadvantages

  • Less flexibility in booking and flight delays;
  • You can not select the type and size of the aircraft;
  • Some empty-leg flights are operated without a menu (if the menu is not agreed upon in advance);
  • There is no guarantee that an empty leg flight will occur; such flights can be canceled at any time.

How Do You Book an Empty Leg Flight?

How Do You Book an Empty Leg Flight?

To book a flight with empty legs, you need to contact the company you decide to use. Flying empty-legged is always a risk, and you can run into a lot of trouble when booking. Therefore, it is better to seek help from specialists; they will calculate the cost for you, provide detailed, up-to-date information about flights, airports, and aircraft, inform you about risks and additional services and provide advice on any issue of interest.

You can contact charter specialists by phone or request information online to be contacted and told all about empty leg flights.

How Much Does an Empty Leg Flight Cost?

The cost of an empty leg flight can depend on the date of departure, the aircraft’s type and size, the route’s complexity, and many other factors. Usually, the prices for such flights are 50% lower than for a private jet charter.

For example, here are a few destinations, dates, and prices for empty legs flights.

FROM TO AIRCRAFT SEATS DATE PRICE
Westchester County, White Plains (KHPN) Opa-locka Executive, Miami (KOPF) Learjet 60 7 from Thu, 02 Feb – to Sat, 04 Feb $16.200
Princess Juliana, Philipsburg (TNCM) Opa-locka Executive, Miami (KOPF) Gulfstream G-IVSP 12 from Thu, 02 Feb – to Fri, 03 Feb $28.800
Palm Beach Intl, West Palm Beach (KPBI) Teterboro, Teterboro (KTEB) Hawker 800XP 6 from Thu, 02 Feb – to Thu, 02 Feb $19.200
Boca Raton, Boca Raton (KBCT) Teterboro, Teterboro (KTEB) Learjet 60 6 from Thu, 02 Feb – to Sun, 05 Feb $14.400
Los Cabos Intl, San Jose Del Cabo (MMSD) Van Nuys, Van Nuys (KVNY) Gulfstream G-550 16 from Thu, 02 Feb – to Fri, 03 Feb $31.200
Westchester County, White Plains (KHPN) Opa-locka Executive, Miami (KOPF) Phenom 300 7 from Wed, 01 Feb – to Wed, 01 Feb $14.400
Opa-locka Executive, Miami (KOPF) Republic, Farmingdale (KFRG) Legacy 600 13 from Fri, 03 Feb – to Sat, 04 Feb $20.820
Teterboro, Teterboro (KTEB) L.f. Wade Intl, Hamilton (TXKF) Challenger 604 10 from Wed, 01 Feb – to Thu, 02 Feb $23.998
Conroe-north Houston, Conroe (KCXO) Opa-locka Executive, Miami (KOPF) Gulfstream G-IVSP 12 from Wed, 01 Feb – to Wed, 01 Feb $27.600

You can also contact the company you use to help you calculate the cost of an empty leg flight.

Where Can You Fly On an Empty Leg Flight?

Where Can You Fly On an Empty Leg Flight?

You can generally fly anywhere you want when booking empty leg flights, and there are no strict restrictions.

But you should be aware that these flights are less flexible, and you will not be able to think over routes and destinations yourself, nor will you be able to choose the type of aircraft you want.

If you want a specific aircraft type, it’s worth looking for empty leg flights that operate on the aircraft you wish to charter.

In any case, the company whose services you use will answer any questions about the direction and where exactly you can fly.

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