Empty Leg Flights Today
Empty leg flights today are repositioning legs a Part 135 operator has to fly anyway. Light jets typically run $3,800 to $5,800 per hour, so a one-way leg can price well below a round trip. You pay for the flight, not the return.
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What empty leg flights today are
Empty leg flights today are segments an operator must fly without passengers, so the crew, fuel and aircraft are already committed and the seat can be sold below a normal charter rate. Operators list repositioning legs at a fraction of round-trip pricing on US routes, because recovering part of the cost beats flying the segment empty. You are buying a seat on a trip that was going to happen anyway.
Most repositioning legs on popular routes are single one-way segments, not round trips. A jet flying Las Vegas to Los Angeles after a drop-off covers about 199 nautical miles, roughly 0h 47m in a light jet, so the booking window stays short. A broker arranges the trip as your agent under DOT Part 295, while the flight itself operates under FAA Part 135. Ask for the operator name and tail number before you pay.
How to book empty leg flights today
Check the list in the morning
Legs are posted close to departure and most go within hours. A morning call sees a wider list than an afternoon email. If a leg fits your route, say so before you confirm names, then lock it.
Match the aircraft to the leg
A light jet seats 4-7 and covers most short hops; a midsize seats 7-9 for longer segments. If the route runs past 2,100 nautical miles, ask about super-midsize or heavy aircraft with the range to fly it nonstop.
Confirm the operator and certificate
Ask which FAA Part 135 operator holds operational control and confirm the tail number before you pay. The broker arranges and the operator flies. Get the quote, terms and cancellation policy in writing.
Handle border legs properly
On a leg crossing a border, such as Miami to Nassau at 161 nautical miles, the operator files the manifest and CBP clears the arrival. If passport details arrive late, then the crew cannot file in time and the leg is lost.
Where empty legs show up across the US
Empty legs cluster at the airports where positioning demand is heaviest, including Teterboro, Van Nuys, Opa Locka and Las Vegas. When a jet drops passengers at Teterboro, it often has to fly back empty toward Florida or the Midwest, which creates a westbound or southbound leg worth watching. Teterboro sits at 9 ft elevation with a 6,997 ft runway, so performance rarely blocks a light or midsize jet there. Watch Teterboro Airport for legs heading south to Miami or Palm Beach after holiday weekends, when drop-offs pile up and operators want the aircraft home.
The mountain and desert airports add complications. Van Nuys sits at 802 ft with an 8,001 ft runway, so summer heat pushes density altitude toward 3,800 ft at 115F, which affects payload on a hot-day departure. Centennial near Denver is higher still at 5,885 ft, with density altitude near 9,800 ft on the hottest days. If those conditions hit, then the operator may cap bags or seats to stay within performance limits. At Las Vegas, elevation reaches 2,181 ft with density altitude near 6,300 ft at 115F, so a midsize jet may need a longer takeoff run in July.
Who empty leg flights suit
Suits this trip
- Travelers with flexible dates who can leave within a day or two of a posted leg and do not need a fixed time.
- One-way trips where a repositioning segment matches the route, like New York to Miami or Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
- Small groups of 4-9 who fit a light or midsize jet and can travel with limited baggage on a short hop.
Choose regular charter service instead
- Anyone locked into a specific departure date or time, since empty legs move with the operator's schedule, not yours.
- Groups larger than the posted seat count, because the aircraft cannot be swapped at the last minute.
- Travelers who need a guaranteed return; the return has to be booked separately at normal charter rates.
Questions
How far in advance can I book empty leg flights today?
Often the same day. Most legs are posted within hours of departure, and a 199 nautical mile hop like Los Angeles to Las Vegas may confirm in under an hour. Call early in the morning for the full list; by afternoon, many legs are gone. A broker can hold a leg briefly while you confirm passenger names and bag count.
What do empty leg flights cost compared with a normal charter?
There is no fixed discount, but these legs price below a round-trip charter because the operator is recovering cost. A light jet normally runs $3,800 to $5,800 per hour. A New York to Boston leg at 158 nautical miles may quote $4,000 to $6,000 one way, and you pay only for that segment.
Can I bring checked bags on an empty leg?
Yes, within the aircraft's baggage space. A Citation CJ4 Gen2 offers 71 cubic feet, while a Hawker 800XP has 50 cubic feet. On hot, high-airport days the operator may cap weight to stay within performance limits, so declare your bag count when you request the quote and confirm it in writing.
Who operates these flights and under what rules?
The operator holds FAA Part 135 authority and operational control, and the crew and aircraft meet those standards. The broker arranges the trip as your agent under DOT Part 295 and does not own the aircraft. Ask for the operator name and tail number before paying, and confirm insurance and crew duty limits in writing.
Do empty legs work for international trips?
Sometimes. A leg from Miami to Nassau covers 161 nautical miles and clears through CBP on arrival. You need a valid passport and the operator files the manifest in advance. Not every international repositioning leg is open to passengers, so confirm customs requirements before you commit, and allow extra time for clearance.
How do I find empty legs near me?
Start with the airports closest to you. In the New York area, watch Teterboro; in Los Angeles, watch Van Nuys; in South Florida, watch Opa Locka. A broker can also search nearby fields within a short drive. Availability changes daily, so ask for the current list each morning rather than relying on yesterday's.
Can I change the route or date on an empty leg?
Rarely. The leg exists because the aircraft must move on the operator's schedule, so the route and date are fixed. If you need flexibility, then book a standard charter instead, which prices from the same hourly rates but lets you choose the timing, the airports and the return leg.