When we think of private aviation, the first images that come to mind are celebrities, business tycoons and astronomical bills. There's a widespread belief that chartering a private jet is a luxury reserved exclusively for the 0.1% of the population.
But what if I told you there's a logistical "inefficiency" in the aviation sector that lets you fly by private jet for a price very similar to (and sometimes lower than) a last-minute commercial Business-class ticket?
Welcome to the world of Empty Legs (or empty legs). The best-kept secret of savvy travellers.
What exactly is an "Empty Leg"?
To understand it, you need to picture how an aircraft's logistics work. Unlike commercial airlines, which follow fixed routes (Madrid-London-Madrid) regardless of how many people are on board, private jets fly on demand.
Picture this common scenario at JustFly Executive: A client charters one of our jets to fly from Madrid a Paris on a Friday to spend the weekend. The aircraft lands in Paris, drops off the client, but its operating base is in Madrid and it must return that same night for its next assignment or to go into the hangar.
That return flight (Paris -> Madrid) will happen anyway. The aircraft will fly empty. No passengers, no baggage, just the crew.
That leg is an Empty Leg. And for air operators, an aircraft flying empty is a huge cost (fuel, fees, crew). That's why we prefer to sell that leg at a massive discount to recover costs, rather than earn nothing.
The Math of Luxury: How much do you really save?
This is where the proposition becomes irresistible. The discounts on Empty Leg flights usually range between 50% and 75% off the usual charter price.
Let's make a quick comparison:
Conventional charter: A light charter flight for 6 people in Europe might cost around €12,000.
Empty Leg price: That same flight could go on the market for around €4,000 or €5,000.
If you divide that cost among the 6 passengers, the price per head is under €1,000. If you try to buy a ticket in Business Class with a commercial airline at short notice, you'll very likely pay a similar figure, but for a radically different experience.
Am I getting a "Low Cost" service? Absolutely not
It's vital to clear up a common myth: paying less doesn't mean getting less service. The aircraft doesn't know it's "on offer".
When you book an Empty Leg, the onboard experience is idéntica to that of a full-price charter flight:
Executive Terminals (FBO): No endless security queues. You arrive 15 minutes before and take off.
Total privacy: The aircraft is for you and your companions. You don't share the cabin with strangers.
Catering and Crew: You'll enjoy the same standard of safety, expert pilots and onboard service.
The only difference is the price and the flexibility.
The fine print: Is an Empty Leg right for you?
En JustFly Executive we believe in total transparency. Empty Legs are a fantastic opportunity, but they're not for everyone. They have very specific rules you should know:
Fixed Routes and Schedules: Unlike conventional charter where you say "where and when", on an Empty Leg the aircraft dictates the schedule. If the aircraft returns from London at 16:00, that's your schedule.
One-Way Only: Almost 100% of these flights are one-way. You'll need to find a way back (whether on a commercial flight or another charter).
The risk factor: El Empty Leg exists because there's a main flight that generated it. If the original client decides to cancel their trip or change the time at the last minute, the Empty Leg could shift or disappear.
Therefore, this type of flight is ideal for spontaneous, flexible travellers or people who need to move quickly between major cities and can adapt to the aircraft's logistics.
How to catch these flights before anyone else
Due to their price and exclusivity, an Empty Leg doesn't stay available for long. Sometimes just a matter of hours. It's a race against the clock.
Many of these flights never even make it onto the general aviation websites because they're sold to the operator's list of preferred clients.
Want to be the first to know?
Don't let your next trip be in a commercial boarding queue. If you have flexibility and want to experience private aviation at a smart price, subscribe to our Priority Alerts List.
We'll send you a WhatsApp or email only when an opportunity appears that matches your preferred routes, before we publish it openly.
When we think of private aviation, the first images that come to mind are celebrities, business tycoons and astronomical bills. There's a widespread belief that chartering a private jet is a luxury reserved exclusively for the 0.1% of the population.
But what if I told you there's a logistical "inefficiency" in the aviation sector that lets you fly by private jet for a price very similar to (and sometimes lower than) a last-minute commercial Business-class ticket?
Welcome to the world of Empty Legs (or empty legs). The best-kept secret of savvy travellers.
What exactly is an "Empty Leg"?
To understand it, you need to picture how an aircraft's logistics work. Unlike commercial airlines, which follow fixed routes (Madrid-London-Madrid) regardless of how many people are on board, private jets fly on demand.
Picture this common scenario at JustFly Executive: A client charters one of our jets to fly from Madrid a Paris on a Friday to spend the weekend. The aircraft lands in Paris, drops off the client, but its operating base is in Madrid and it must return that same night for its next assignment or to go into the hangar.
That return flight (Paris -> Madrid) will happen anyway. The aircraft will fly empty. No passengers, no baggage, just the crew.
That leg is an Empty Leg. And for air operators, an aircraft flying empty is a huge cost (fuel, fees, crew). That's why we prefer to sell that leg at a massive discount to recover costs, rather than earn nothing.
The Math of Luxury: How much do you really save?
This is where the proposition becomes irresistible. The discounts on Empty Leg flights usually range between 50% and 75% off the usual charter price.
Let's make a quick comparison:
Conventional charter: A light charter flight for 6 people in Europe might cost around €12,000.
Empty Leg price: That same flight could go on the market for around €4,000 or €5,000.
If you divide that cost among the 6 passengers, the price per head is under €1,000. If you try to buy a ticket in Business Class with a commercial airline at short notice, you'll very likely pay a similar figure, but for a radically different experience.
Am I getting a "Low Cost" service? Absolutely not
It's vital to clear up a common myth: paying less doesn't mean getting less service. The aircraft doesn't know it's "on offer".
When you book an Empty Leg, the onboard experience is idéntica to that of a full-price charter flight:
Executive Terminals (FBO): No endless security queues. You arrive 15 minutes before and take off.
Total privacy: The aircraft is for you and your companions. You don't share the cabin with strangers.
Catering and Crew: You'll enjoy the same standard of safety, expert pilots and onboard service.
The only difference is the price and the flexibility.
The fine print: Is an Empty Leg right for you?
En JustFly Executive we believe in total transparency. Empty Legs are a fantastic opportunity, but they're not for everyone. They have very specific rules you should know:
Fixed Routes and Schedules: Unlike conventional charter where you say "where and when", on an Empty Leg the aircraft dictates the schedule. If the aircraft returns from London at 16:00, that's your schedule.
One-Way Only: Almost 100% of these flights are one-way. You'll need to find a way back (whether on a commercial flight or another charter).
The risk factor: El Empty Leg exists because there's a main flight that generated it. If the original client decides to cancel their trip or change the time at the last minute, the Empty Leg could shift or disappear.
Therefore, this type of flight is ideal for spontaneous, flexible travellers or people who need to move quickly between major cities and can adapt to the aircraft's logistics.
How to catch these flights before anyone else
Due to their price and exclusivity, an Empty Leg doesn't stay available for long. Sometimes just a matter of hours. It's a race against the clock.
Many of these flights never even make it onto the general aviation websites because they're sold to the operator's list of preferred clients.
Want to be the first to know?
Don't let your next trip be in a commercial boarding queue. If you have flexibility and want to experience private aviation at a smart price, subscribe to our Priority Alerts List.
We'll send you a WhatsApp or email only when an opportunity appears that matches your preferred routes, before we publish it openly.
