Empty leg flights are one of the best-kept secrets in private aviation — a way to fly on a fully private aircraft at a fraction of the standard charter cost. If you’ve ever asked what an empty leg flight actually is, or how to book one, here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Empty Legs and How Do They Work?
An empty leg (or “empty leg flight”) is a discounted private jet flight that happens when an aircraft needs to reposition without passengers onboard. Rather than fly that leg empty, operators like Air Partners make it available for charter at a significantly reduced rate.
The aircraft is flying regardless — booking an empty leg simply means being on board when it does.
How it works:
A client books a jet from Calgary to Vancouver. Once that aircraft lands, it needs to return to Calgary. That return flight becomes available as an empty leg — same aircraft, same service, at a fraction of the cost of a standard charter.
Because the route and timing are set by the aircraft’s existing schedule rather than by the passenger, empty legs reward travellers who can stay flexible.
Why Book an Empty Leg Charter Flight?
The value is substantial
Empty leg pricing is significantly lower than a standard charter for the same level of service and aircraft. The only trade-off is timing — the aircraft’s schedule sets the departure, not yours.
The experience doesn’t change
Booking an empty leg still means private terminals, direct boarding, on-time departure, and a cabin configured to your preferences. Nothing about the experience is discounted — only the price.
You get your time back
No security lines, no gate delays, no connections. You arrive minutes before departure and land closer to your actual destination — the core advantage of private aviation, at empty-leg pricing.
The Challenges of Booking Empty Leg Flights
Empty legs reward flexibility. Here’s what’s fixed, and what’s negotiable:
- Routes are predetermined — the aircraft flies where it needs to go next.
- Timing is set by the aircraft’s schedule and can shift if the primary booking changes.
- Most empty legs are one-way; return travel is a separate booking.
- Availability can appear with days — or only hours — of notice, so quick decisions matter.
Tips for Booking Empty Leg Flights
- Subscribe to alerts — join the Air Partners Notification List to see new empty legs (route, aircraft type, departure time) as soon as they’re released.
- Stay flexible on dates, airports, and routes to maximize the opportunities available to you.
- Move quickly — empty legs are typically booked fast once listed.
- Contact our team directly if you have a specific route in mind; some empty legs are available before they’re publicly listed.
How to Book an Empty Leg Flight with Air Partners
The fastest way to hear about empty leg opportunities first is to join the Air Partners Notification List — you’ll get alerted the moment a relevant flight becomes available, with route, aircraft type, and departure time included.
Prefer to talk to someone directly? Reach out to our Flight Coordinators and they’ll handle pricing, details, and booking for you — no forms, no back-and-forth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an empty leg flight?
An empty leg flight is a private jet flight that occurs when an aircraft needs to reposition without passengers, typically after dropping off a charter client. Airlines and operators offer these repositioning flights at a reduced rate rather than fly them empty.
How much cheaper are empty leg flights than a standard charter?
Empty leg pricing is significantly below standard charter rates for the same aircraft and service, since the flight is already scheduled to happen — you’re not paying for a dedicated repositioning.
What aircraft types are most commonly available as empty legs?
Availability varies by route and season, but light and midsize jets — the aircraft most frequently used for regional charters — make up the majority of empty leg opportunities out of Western Canada.
Can I request a specific route for an empty leg flight?
You can tell Air Partners your preferred departure regions and routes of interest, but empty leg itineraries are ultimately set by existing aircraft movements. Joining the Notification List is the best way to be matched to a relevant opportunity.
How do I get notified about new empty leg flights?
Join the Air Partners Notification List with your preferred departure region and route interests, and you’ll receive an email as soon as a matching empty leg becomes available.
