The Ultimate Guide to Empty Leg Flights
Everything you need to know about empty leg flights — what they are, how they work, how to find them, and how to save up to 75% on private jet charter.
What Are Empty Leg Flights?
An empty leg flight (also known as a "deadhead flight" or "ferry flight") occurs when a private jet needs to fly without passengers. This typically happens in two scenarios:
- Repositioning flights: After dropping off passengers at their destination, the aircraft must return to its home base or fly to pick up the next client at a different location.
- One-way bookings: When a client books a one-way flight, the aircraft needs to return empty to its base or reposition for its next charter.
Rather than fly these legs empty at a loss, charter operators offer them at significantly discounted rates — sometimes up to 75% off the standard charter price. This allows operators to recoup some of their operational costs whilst providing savvy travellers with access to private aviation at a fraction of the usual cost.
How Do Empty Legs Work?
Empty leg flights follow a straightforward process:
- A charter is booked: A client books a one-way private jet from London to Nice
- Aircraft repositions: After dropping passengers in Nice, the jet needs to return to London empty
- Empty leg created: The operator lists the Nice to London leg as an empty leg flight at a discounted rate
- You book it: You book this empty leg at 50-75% off the standard charter price
The key advantage is that the aircraft is flying anyway — with or without you. By filling these empty seats, operators offset their costs, and you gain access to private aviation at unprecedented prices.
How Much Can You Save?
Empty leg discounts typically range from 40% to 75% off standard charter rates. The exact savings depend on several factors:
Example: London to Nice
Light Jet (6 passengers)
Example: New York to Miami
Midsize Jet (8 passengers)
How to Book an Empty Leg Flight
Booking an empty leg flight with Villiers is straightforward:
Browse Available Empty Legs
Visit our empty legs page to see current availability. Our inventory updates in real-time as new empty legs become available.
Check Route and Timing
Empty legs have fixed routes and departure windows. Ensure the flight matches your travel needs in terms of origin, destination, and timing.
Contact Us
Reach out to our team with the empty leg reference number. We'll confirm availability and provide full aircraft details.
Book and Pay
Once confirmed, complete your booking with flexible payment options including credit card, bank transfer, or Bitcoin.
Benefits of Empty Leg Flights
💰 Significant Cost Savings
Save 40-75% compared to standard private jet charter rates whilst enjoying the same luxury experience.
✈️ Same Premium Experience
Identical service, aircraft quality, and luxury as a full-price charter — just at a fraction of the cost.
⚡ Skip Commercial Hassles
Avoid queues, security lines, and delays. Arrive 15 minutes before departure at private terminals.
🌍 Access to More Airports
Fly to smaller regional airports closer to your final destination, saving time on ground transfers.
Things to Consider
Whilst empty legs offer exceptional value, there are some limitations to be aware of:
⚠️ Limited Flexibility
Empty legs have fixed routes and departure windows. You'll need to work around the aircraft's schedule rather than creating your own.
📅 Last-Minute Availability
Most empty legs become available within 48-72 hours of departure. Advance planning can be challenging.
🔄 Possible Cancellations
If the original charter cancels, the empty leg may also be cancelled. We always provide alternative options when this occurs.
Finding Empty Leg Opportunities
At Villiers, we make finding empty leg flights simple:
- Real-time availability: Our empty legs page updates continuously with new opportunities
- Email alerts: Subscribe to receive notifications when empty legs match your preferred routes
- Flexible dates: If your travel dates are flexible, you'll find more empty leg options
- Popular routes: High-traffic routes (London-Nice, New York-Miami, Geneva-Ibiza) have more frequent empty legs
Ready to Save on Your Next Flight?
Browse our current empty leg availability and start saving up to 75% on private jet charter.
View Available Empty Legs