What Are Empty Leg Flights?

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If you think you can’t fly on a jet at a discounted price, think again. You might be surprised to know that there are private jet flights available that are affordable.

How does one take advantage of such a deal? Well, the information below provides more about empty leg flights, just keep reading.

An empty leg flight is aviation jargon for a flight trip that’s already been booked. When a pilot drops off passengers going one-way, the return flight back to the airport base is usually vacant. There are two scenarios in which empty leg flights occur:

If a passenger books a one-way private jet flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and that jet needs to go back to Los Angeles, the return flight won’t have any passengers.

It’s somewhat considered a “useless” flight for aircraft operators. But it creates some sweet deals for empty leg passengers

If someone books a private flight from Orlando to Houston but the aircraft is parked in Atlanta, then it would need to fly from Atlanta to Orlando. The airplane would be vacant going from Atlanta to Orlando.

Therefore, that trip turns into an empty leg flight.

Everything has pros and cons, including empty leg flights. Although it’s one of the best ways to travel privately, it may not be the best choice for every occasion. Below are some of its advantages and disadvantages :

One of the primary benefits of an empty flight is the price. Most of the time there are tremendous savings for booking an empty leg flight. Also, if you are flexible with your schedule, you may be able to negotiate the rate.

Plus, if you need to take a last-minute journey these flights are good options.

You won’t be able to book a round-trip flight on empty legs. One hand that may be a disadvantage, it could be an advantage for others. Not only that, but these types of departures are available on short notice so you can’t book an empty leg way in advance.

Lastly, there are only certain routes available for private jet empty leg flights.

The answer to this question is yes and no. If your schedule is open, and you’re travel destination lines up with the itinerary, then an empty leg flight is an amazing choice.

However, there’s a caveat. You have to remember that you are traveling based on someone else’s initial flight plans. Therefore, things could change at any moment.

It’s a smart idea to have some private jet alternatives available in case things change.

Although these private one-way flights are a bit risky, they’re worth a shot. Many times the fly operators will offer a discount of up to 75% off of the standard price. The cost of the trip depends on the airline provider and other factors.

Again, many airline operators are willing to negotiate the price.

It’s also important to note that a fixed-price guarantee isn’t always an option on every flight. Due to circumstances like weather and schedule delays, the quoted price could change.

The good news is, it’s rare for a private jet flight to change the final cost based on weather or other circumstances.

On the other hand, if a situation like that arises, a good flight operator should be willing to work with you so that the new prices still fits your budget.

Everything about your flight itinerary is based on the original trip. If the first flight passenger cancels the trip, the empty leg flight won’t be available anymore.

But you can always book a last-minute private or commercial flight, but the cost may not be the same as the empty leg price.

Although you can’t control much about empty leg flights, there are situations where you could potentially alter the departure time.

For instance, if the original flight leaves early in the morning and the airplane is repositioning the day before, you can request a specific take-off time before the original flight leaves.

Make no mistake, booking an empty leg flight is a good decision. Even if there’s a risk of having a canceled flight. The perks that come with private flying are like no other.

Here are some of the reasons to book privately:

• Privacy
• Savings money flying with the group
• No long lines for the flight
• No busy airport crowds
• Comfortable seating on the aircraft
• Less time spent flying in the air

After hearing all of the potential setbacks for booking empty leg flights, you might have asked yourself if they’re worth it. Yes, they absolutely are! You really can’t beat the experience of flying privately, and if you have the opportunity to do so, take it!

However, it’s a good idea to only book them for spontaneous trips that allow you more flexibility. You don’t want to have a family vacay planned and the flight gets canceled.

With that said, are you looking for more luxurious ways to travel? If so, we can be of assistance. Our services range from luxury rental car services to vacation home services.

If you like the finer things in life, we can turn your travel plans into an unforgettable experience. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

We’re here to help in any way possible.