Empty Leg Flights

Empty leg jet flights happen when a private jet has to fly without passengers: return to its base or move on to its next client. Instead of flying it empty, the operator offers the trip for up to 75% less than a regular charter. You book the whole jet, not a seat, on a route and departure window set by the operator’s schedule.

The listings below are updated daily. If your route isn’t there, tell our charter team where and when you need to fly. We’ll check operator schedules for a matching leg and, where it helps, quote a standard one-way charter alongside it so you can compare.

Available Empty Leg Flights

*Estimated price before taxes & fees.

How Do Empty Leg Flights Work?

An empty leg exists because a private jet has to move without passengers. A client might charter a one-way flight from Teterboro Airport (TEB) to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), leaving the aircraft in Florida with no paying trip back. Or an operator might send a jet across the country to pick up its next client. Either way, the flight goes ahead whether anyone is on board or not.

Instead of flying empty, the operator sells that repositioning flight at a reduced price. The discount comes from the trade-off: the operator’s schedule sets the route and the departure window, and you fit your trip around them.

Everything else is a standard private jet charter. You fly on the same aircraft, with the same crew and service as a full-price trip, operated under the same FAA Part 135 certificate.

How Much Do Empty Leg Jet Flights Cost?

Empty leg jet flights usually cost up to 75% less than a standard one-way charter on the same aircraft. Average prices for the most popular routes are in the table below.

Route	Aircraft Category	Empty Leg Price (one-way)	Standard Charter Price (one-way)
Washington, DC to New York	Light jets	$6,000 – $7,000	$8,000 – $11,000
San Antonio to Dallas	Midsize jets	$10,000 – $11,000	$10,500 – $24,000
New York to Orlando	Super midsize jets	$14,000 – $30,000	$22,000 – $32,000
Denver to Miami	Heavy jets	$30,000 – $44,500	$42,000 – $65,000

*Estimates before taxes and fees. Prices vary with the date, route, and aircraft.

Aircraft Size and Flight Time

Empty leg prices start from the jet’s normal hourly charter rate, multiplied by the flight time, and then discounted. A larger jet on a longer route costs more even at a deep discount.

Season and Demand

Legs on busy routes in peak travel periods sell fast and keep more of their price. On quieter dates, or when departure is only a day or two away, operators are more willing to lower the price.

How Closely the Leg Matches Your Trip

An exact match on airports and timing is priced as listed. If you need to depart from a nearby airport or land somewhere different, the operator adds the cost of the extra flying, which reduces the savings. Exact matches are most common on busy private jet charter corridors, such as South Florida to the New York area. On less-traveled routes, a nearby leg with some extra flying is often the realistic option.

Are Empty Leg Flights Worth It?

Empty legs are worth it when your dates are flexible and a listed leg already matches your route. They are a poor fit for a trip that has to happen at a fixed time.

Feature	Empty Leg Charter Flight	Standard One-Way Charter
Price	Up to 75% below the standard rate	Full charter rate
Route	Set by the operator; changes cost extra	Any airports you choose
Departure time	A window set by the operator’s schedule	The time you choose
Aircraft	The jet that is repositioning	Chosen to suit your group and luggage
Reliability	Can be moved or canceled if the original charter changes	Confirmed for your trip
Return	One-way only	One-way, round, or multi-city trip

The main risk is cancellation. An empty leg depends on another client’s paid trip, so the operator can reschedule or cancel it if that client’s plans change. For a meeting, wedding, or connection you can’t miss, it’s better to keep a backup, such as a standard private jet charter quote, until your flight is confirmed.

How to Book Empty Leg Jet Flights with Mercury Jets

1. Find an empty leg flight. Click the price next to a suitable leg in the table above, or use the search tool at the top of the page. In the search tool, enter your departure airport and your destination, choose the number of passengers and your travel date, and set how many days either side of that date you can fly. Pick your currency, and then click “Search”.
2. Compare empty leg deals. Each empty leg shows the aircraft model and category, the number of seats, the departure and arrival airports, cabin photos, and an estimated price before taxes and fees.
3. Check the “Available from” and “Available to” dates. The leg departs within that window, and the operator sets the exact time.
4. Click “Inquire” on the leg you want. Our aviation team confirms with the operator that the aircraft, dates, and price are still available.
5. Confirm your booking. We’ll send you the private jet charter agreement and payment details to secure the flight.
6. Board your flight. Receive your trip details, then arrive at the FBO and board.

If no leg matches your trip, our team can check operator schedules for you. Call us 24/7 at +1 212 840-8000 or +1 877-359-6732.

When and Where Empty Legs Appear

Empty legs follow the flow of paid private jet charters. When demand runs strongly in one direction, the repositioning flights run the other way.

• Fall and early winter: travelers head from the Northeast and Midwest to South Florida, so many empty legs fly north out of airports such as Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) and Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF).
• Late winter and spring: the pattern reverses as travelers return north, and more empty legs fly south to Florida.
• Ski season: private jet charters into mountain airports such as Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) leave aircraft to reposition out after drop-offs.
• Summer: demand shifts to Northeast resort destinations, which creates legs back to major hubs such as Teterboro.

Book a Private Jet Empty Leg Flight

See a leg that fits your plans, or need us to look for one? At Mercury Jets, we use our years of experience and personalized service to quickly find the best deals on empty leg flights and review all aspects of your booking. Send a request through the search tool or call us, and our team will confirm availability and the final price. By choosing Mercury Jets, you can be sure of reliability, confidentiality, and price transparency.

FAQ

How far in advance are empty legs listed?

Most appear within a few weeks of departure, and many only days before, because each one depends on another client’s booking. Our listings are updated daily.

What happens if my empty leg is canceled?

We’ll tell you as soon as the operator informs us and can quote a standard private jet charter on the same route so you can still travel.

How much luggage can I bring?

It depends on the aircraft’s baggage space. Tell us the number and size of your bags when you book an empty leg charter so we can confirm they fit.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets fly at the operator’s discretion. Mention them when you request the leg, and we’ll confirm before you book.

What documents do I need for an empty leg flight?

For domestic private jet flights, bring a valid government-issued ID. International trips need a valid passport and any visa or entry documents your destination requires. The crew checks them before departure.

Are empty leg private jet flights safe?

Yes. Empty legs are flown by the same certificated operators, aircraft, and crews as any other private jet charter. Mercury Jets is an ARGUS Certified broker and arranges flights only with FAA Part 135 or Part 121 operators, or their foreign equivalent.