Empty leg flights estimate
An empty leg flights estimate starts with the aircraft's next trip, not yours. A light jet repositioning on a short US route often lands between $4,000 and $6,000 one way. The discount is real, but the schedule is not yours to set.
- Home
- Pricing
Hourly charter rates
The table below shows what a standard one-way light jet charter costs on common US routes, which is the benchmark to compare any empty leg quote against. A repositioning leg discounts that figure, it does not replace it. If a quote lands well under these numbers on the same route, ask what the catch is.
| Class | Seats | Cruise | Per-hour ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 6-8 | 300 kt | $2,200–$3,500 |
| Light jet | 4-7 | 430 kt | $3,800–$5,800 |
| Midsize jet | 7-9 | 440 kt | $5,200–$7,800 |
| Super-midsize jet | 8-10 | 470 kt | $7,200–$10,000 |
| Heavy jet | 10-14 | 470 kt | $9,500–$14,500 |
Sample one-way prices by route
These 6 private jet routes span 194 to 1,023 nautical miles; one-way light jet estimates run $4,000 to $16,000.
| Route | Light jet | Medium | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York → Miami | $10,000–$15,000 | $13,500–$20,000 | $23,000–$35,000 |
| New York → Palm Beach | $9,500–$14,500 | $13,000–$19,000 | $22,000–$33,500 |
| Los Angeles → Aspen | $7,000–$10,500 | $9,500–$14,000 | $16,500–$25,000 |
| Dallas → Houston | $4,000–$6,000 | $5,000–$8,000 | $9,500–$14,500 |
| Washington, DC → New York | $4,000–$6,000 | $5,000–$8,000 | $9,500–$14,500 |
| Chicago → Miami | $10,500–$16,000 | $14,500–$21,500 | $24,500–$37,500 |
What an empty leg flights estimate
Where the aircraft has to be
The whole point of an empty leg is that the airplane is already going somewhere. A flight from Teterboro to Opa Locka after a drop-off is priced on that repositioning need, not on your plans.
Aircraft class and hourly rate
Turboprops run $2,200 to $3,500 an hour, light jets $3,800 to $5,800, and heavy jets $9,500 to $14,500. An empty leg on a midsize still carries midsize costs, just fewer billable hours.
How late you book
Empty legs surface days or hours before departure, and they disappear just as fast. The best estimate comes from telling us your window and letting us watch the board.
Distance and deadhead
A short hop looks cheap until the aircraft has to fly empty to reach you. Repositioning time gets priced somewhere, whether it shows on the quote or not.
Airport and slot pressure
Busy fields like Teterboro, Van Nuys and LAS carry their own costs, and summer density altitude matters. Centennial sits at 5,885 feet with a July density altitude near 9,200 feet, which changes performance and payload.
Crew duty and timing
Crews can only fly so long, and an empty leg that lands after duty limits means a replacement crew or a delay. Holiday weekends and major events tighten both aircraft and crew supply.
Fees an empty leg estimate may include
An empty leg flights estimate is not just the hourly rate. Expect segment fees, landing and handling charges at the airport, and crew overnight costs if the timing pushes a rest period. International legs add customs and border processing through CBP, and the operator files the manifest. None of this is padding, but it does mean the headline number is rarely the final number.
On the arranging side, a charter broker works as an agent under DOT Part 295 rules, matching you to an operator that holds FAA Part 135 authority and operational control. Ask for the total price in writing, including taxes and fees, before you commit.
Ways to lower the estimate
Stay flexible on the airport
Landing at Opa Locka instead of a busier Miami field can shave handling costs and slot friction. Nearby fields often price better than the obvious one. A short drive to a different field sometimes beats waiting on a premium slot.
Travel one way, not round trip
Empty legs exist because an aircraft needs to reposition one direction. Booking a one-way trip aligns with that need. Round-trip requests usually quote as standard charters, not discounted legs.
Book midweek and off-peak
Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings are the busiest windows for repositioning demand. Tuesday and Wednesday departures see more available legs and softer pricing. Shift your trip by a day and the estimate can move by a wide margin.
Keep the group small
A light jet carrying four to seven passengers fits most empty legs. If your party needs a heavy jet, the discount shrinks because fewer aircraft are repositioning. Match the cabin to the group, not the other way around.
Questions
What does an empty leg flights estimate look like on a typical route?
On a short route such as Los Angeles to Las Vegas, 199 nautical miles and about 47 minutes in a light jet, a standard one-way charter prices at $4,000 to $6,000. An empty leg on the same route is quoted below that, often substantially, because the operator needs the aircraft moved. Treat any figure as an estimate until the operator confirms it in writing.
How far in advance can I book an empty leg?
Most empty legs appear within days of departure, and some show up the same day. A few operators list them a week or more out when a large trip is planned. The practical answer is to give us your travel window and let us monitor the board. If your dates are fixed far ahead, then a standard charter is the more reliable path.
Are empty leg prices per person or per aircraft?
Per aircraft. The full quoted price covers the flight regardless of how many seats you fill, so a light jet with six seats costs the same for two passengers as for six. That is why the per-person math improves as your group grows, up to the certified passenger limit for that aircraft.
Can I change the route or time on an empty leg?
Usually not much. The leg exists because of the operator's schedule, so the departure airport, destination and timing are largely fixed. Small timing shifts are sometimes possible if crew duty allows. If you need a different city pair, then you are looking at a standard charter, and the estimate changes with it.
What should I check before paying for an empty leg?
Confirm the operator's FAA Part 135 certificate, the tail number, and the total price including taxes, landing fees, and crew costs. Ask whether the leg is confirmed or conditional. International legs need CBP processing and a valid passport. If the quote seems too low for the distance, then ask what is excluded before you send a deposit.
Do empty legs fly between the US and the Caribbean or Mexico?
Yes, when an operator repositions after an international trip. Miami to Nassau is 161 nautical miles and about 42 minutes in a light jet, and Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas is 808 nautical miles and about 2 hours 16 minutes. Those legs involve CBP clearance on return, so build in time for customs processing at the arrival airport.