ServicesEmpty Leg Flights
Empty Leg Flights from Greenwood
An empty leg is a jet already scheduled to fly without passengers, usually to reposition after a one-way charter or to reach a maintenance shop. We match your trip to those legs and give you an all-inclusive quote on the whole aircraft, with no round trip pricing.
What an Empty Leg Is and When It Makes Sense
Every one-way charter leaves an aircraft somewhere it does not belong. The operator has to fly it back to base, or on to the next client, and that repositioning flight burns the same fuel and crew time whether the cabin is full or empty. Selling that leg to you recovers part of the cost, which is why the rate is usually lower than a standard on demand charter.
Many legs also come from upkeep. Under Part 135 rules, aircraft go through scheduled inspections at set flight-hour intervals, and operators often ferry a jet to a maintenance facility days in advance. When we know an operator's inspection calendar, we can see those positioning flights coming before they are widely listed.
The trade-off is control. The aircraft, the route and the departure window are set by the operator's schedule, not yours. If your plans can bend a little, an empty leg is often the best value in private flying. If they cannot, a regular charter on a light jet or midsize jet is the safer choice.
What Comes With an Empty Leg Booking
- Matching legs to your route and timing
- We compare repositioning and maintenance ferry flights with your departure point, destination and the hours you are free to leave. Landing at a nearby FBO can serve you just as well as your first-choice airport.
- The full cabin is yours
- You book the entire aircraft, not one seat. Fill it with your own group up to its passenger limit, and no one else comes aboard.
- One all-inclusive price
- The flight, taxes and standard fees appear together on your quote, so what you approve is what you pay. No hidden costs, and no program to join beforehand.
- Checking the operator
- FAA-certified Part 135 air carriers operate these flights. Before you commit, we confirm the operator, the tail number and the crew details.
- Pets and Wi-Fi on board
- Pets can fly with you, and if you need to work during the flight we can search for Wi-Fi equipped aircraft. Mention it on the call and we narrow the search.
- A fallback option
- Should the charter behind your leg change or cancel, we quote a standard one-way flight on a similar jet so you still have a way to go.
When an Empty Leg Suits Your Trip
You are flying one direction
Every empty leg goes one way. If you will drive home, take an airline back or stay for a while, it fits well.
You can leave a few hours earlier or later
The departure window is set around the jet's next assignment. Flexibility between morning and afternoon makes many more legs available.
Your route is a popular one
Heavily traveled business and vacation corridors carry the most repositioning flights, so legs to major cities and resort areas turn up more often.
Your small group can leave quickly
Groups of four to eight, like families or teams, fit the light and midsize jets that reposition most.
The trip is optional, not essential
A getaway weekend or a client visit with flexible timing works well. For a wedding or a closing that cannot move, book a confirmed charter.
What Sets the Price of an Empty Leg
The operator has to fly an empty leg either way, so its price starts from that cost, and the size of the discount depends on how much they want it filled. You pay point to point pricing for the single leg you take, not a round trip. These are the biggest factors.
Size of the aircraft
Turboprops and light jets cost less per hour to fly than super-midsize or heavy jets. A larger cabin and longer range mean a higher starting rate, even after the discount.
How close the departure is
As departure nears and a leg stays unsold, operators often drop the price. Booking well ahead locks in the aircraft but can leave less room on price.
Route changes
Requesting a different landing airport or an extra stop makes the leg a modified charter. The extra flight time and positioning are added, and we show you how the price changes.
Charges where you land
Landing, ramp and overnight fees differ from one airport and FBO to the next. We include them in your all-inclusive quote so they are visible from the start.
How an Empty Leg Booking Works
- 1
Call with your route and flexibility
Tell us where you are starting, where you want to land, how many passengers and any pets are flying, and how wide your departure window is. Clients from Franklin to Plainfield usually depart from whichever FBO the leg already uses.
- 2
We search live and upcoming legs
We look at posted repositioning flights and at ferry flights tied to scheduled maintenance. Watching those inspection cycles over our 5 years in business has taught us which operators move aircraft on predictable patterns.
- 3
You review the aircraft and quote
You get the aircraft type, operator, departure window and an all-inclusive price. We explain the cancellation terms that apply if the original trip changes.
- 4
Confirm and fly
Once you approve, the leg is held for you. On the day, arrive at the FBO shortly before departure, load bags and pets planeside, and go.
Empty Leg Questions
What happens if the original charter cancels?
The empty leg exists only because another flight was booked, so if that trip moves or cancels, your leg can change or disappear. We explain the operator's terms before you commit. If it happens, we quote a standard one-way charter on a similar aircraft so you can still travel.
Can I pick my departure time?
Within limits. The operator needs the aircraft at its next stop on schedule, so most legs come with a window of a few hours. We tell you how much flexibility a given leg has before you book.
Who actually operates the flight?
The Part 135 air carrier that owns or manages the aircraft flies the leg, under the same operating rules as our regular charters. We give you the operator name, tail number and aircraft details with your quote so you know exactly what you are boarding.
Can I book an empty leg for the return trip too?
Sometimes, but you cannot count on one appearing for your exact dates. Many clients fly out on an empty leg and book a standard one-way charter home, which still avoids round trip pricing.
Can my dog come along?
Yes, pets are allowed. Mention them on the call so we confirm the specific operator's cabin rules and keep the right aircraft on the list.
How far ahead should I call?
Legs appear anywhere from weeks out to a day before departure. Calling early lets us watch upcoming maintenance ferries and repositioning flights for you, and you can still book on short notice when one lines up.
Tell Us Your Route and Window
Give us your one-way trip and how far your dates can stretch. We will look for a leg that fits and walk you through the aircraft and the all-inclusive price.