Empty leg flights by airport
Empty leg flights by airport are repositioning trips that operators discount to fill the cabin. About 20 U.S. airports list them on any given day. You book the whole jet, not a seat.
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An empty leg exists because a jet has to get from where it dropped passengers to where the next booking starts. Rather than fly that leg with no one aboard, the operator sells it. Empty leg flights by airport are listed at 20 U.S. airports in our network, from Teterboro to Van Nuys. The price sits well below a standard charter, but the schedule is fixed by the operator's need to move the aircraft, not by your calendar.
We act as a charter broker. The flight itself is flown by an FAA Part 135 operator that holds operational control, and we are the agent under DOT Part 295 rules for brokers. That matters when you compare quotes: you are buying a seat on a specific aircraft with a specific operator, not a seat on a scheduled airline. When a leg is listed at your airport, the operator has already committed to fly that route, so your job is to make the timing work.
Teterboro Airport
- KTEB code
- 9 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 6,997 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Jet Aviation, Signature Aviation East, Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation West.
Van Nuys Airport
- KVNY code
- 802 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 8,001 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Signature Aviation (West), Signature Aviation VNY North, Jet Aviation Van Nuys, The Park VNY.
Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport
- KOPF code
- 8 ft elevation
3 strips, lengthiest 8,002 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, Jet Aviation, Fontainebleau Aviation.
Chicago Midway International Airport
- KMDW code
- 620 ft elevation
4 strips, lengthiest 6,522 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation.
Dallas Love Field
- KDAL code
- 487 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 8,800 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation, Signature Aviation (Terminal 1 at A2), Jet Access Dallas.
William P. Hobby Airport
- KHOU code
- 46 ft elevation
3 strips, lengthiest 7,602 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Wilson Air Center, Million Air Houston, Jet Aviation Houston, Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, Henriksen Jet Center.
DeKalb Peachtree Airport
- KPDK code
- 1,003 ft elevation
3 strips, lengthiest 6,001 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation.
Washington Dulles International Airport
- KIAD code
- 312 ft elevation
4 strips, lengthiest 11,500 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, APP Jet Center - Manassas.
Laurence G Hanscom Field
- KBED code
- 133 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 7,011 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Jet Aviation Bedford, Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, FlightLevel Aviation.
San Francisco International Airport
- KSFO code
- 13 ft elevation
4 strips, lengthiest 11,870 ft. 0 mi from New York.
Harry Reid International Airport
- KLAS code
- 2,181 ft elevation
4 strips, lengthiest 14,835 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation.
King County International Airport - Boeing Field
- KBFI code
- 21 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 10,007 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Modern Aviation, Signature Aviation, Skyservice Seattle, Vesper Aviation.
Centennial Airport
- KAPA code
- 5,885 ft elevation
3 strips, lengthiest 10,001 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: jetCenters of Colorado, Modern Aviation, Signature Aviation - North.
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport
- KDVT code
- 1,478 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 8,196 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Cutter Aviation.
Northeast Philadelphia Airport
- KPNE code
- 120 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 7,000 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation.
Orlando Executive Airport
- KORL code
- 113 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 6,004 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Sheltair.
Tampa International Airport
- KTPA code
- 26 ft elevation
3 strips, lengthiest 11,002 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Sheltair, Signature Aviation.
Nashville International Airport
- KBNA code
- 599 ft elevation
4 strips, lengthiest 11,030 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation, Azure Flight Support, Contour Flight Support, Signature Aviation.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- KCLT code
- 748 ft elevation
3 strips, lengthiest 10,000 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Pilatus Aircraft USA, Ltd.
Austin Bergstrom International Airport
- KAUS code
- 542 ft elevation
2 strips, lengthiest 12,250 ft. 0 mi from New York. FBO: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, Henriksen Jet Center.
How empty leg prices compare by airport
A light jet empty leg from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 one way against a standard charter that can run two to three times that. The spread depends on the airport pair and how close the departure is. A New York to Miami leg on a light jet is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000, while a Washington to New York hop is $4,000 to $6,000. When you compare empty leg flights by airport, the discount reflects distance and notice, not aircraft age. A turboprop leg runs $2,200 to $3,500 per hour and a heavy jet $9,500 to $14,500 per hour, so the class you pick changes the total more than the airport does. If your dates are flexible, then a nearby airport with a repositioning flight can beat a closer one at full price.
Where empty legs show up most
Teterboro and Van Nuys produce the most empty leg listings because they handle the heaviest private traffic in the country. Teterboro sits 2,227 miles from the Strip and Van Nuys 229 miles, which tells you how often jets shuttle between the two coasts. Miami-Opa Locka and Dallas Love also see frequent repositioning.
When a big event lands in Las Vegas or Miami, extra jets fly in and later need to leave empty, so listings spike around those dates. Summer heat matters too: Centennial Airport near Denver reaches a density altitude of about 9,800 feet at 115F, which can limit which aircraft accept a leg. If a leg departs from a high-elevation field on a hot afternoon, then the operator may need a longer runway or a lighter load.
Questions
How do I find empty leg flights by airport?
Start with the airport you can reach easily, then check the airports within a short drive. We list legs at 20 U.S. airports, and a leg from a nearby field often costs less than a full charter from your first choice. Tell us your date window and we match you to available legs.
What does an empty leg cost?
Prices are estimates and vary by route. A light jet from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 one way. A New York to Miami light jet leg is $10,000 to $15,000. Turboprops run $2,200 to $3,500 per hour; heavy jets $9,500 to $14,500 per hour.
Can I change the date or route on an empty leg?
Usually not. The leg exists because the aircraft must move for the operator's next booking, so the departure airport and time are fixed. If your plans are firm and match the listing, you save money. If they are not, a standard charter gives you the schedule you want.
Who operates the flight?
An FAA Part 135 operator flies the aircraft and holds operational control. We arrange the trip as a broker and act as your agent under DOT Part 295. The operator's name appears on your quote and contract, so you know who is flying before you pay.
Are empty legs available for international trips?
Some are, such as Miami to Nassau at 161 nautical miles. For any leg crossing a border, CBP clearance is required and the operator handles the filing. Passport and customs rules apply to every passenger, so confirm documents before booking.
How far ahead should I book an empty leg?
Most listings appear a few days to a couple of weeks before departure. The trade-off is clear: book early and you get more choice, wait and the price may drop but the leg may sell. If you see a leg that fits, then confirm quickly because operators release the aircraft once it is sold.