How to Find and Book Empty Leg Flight Deals (APAC & Beyond)
Empty leg flights – the ultimate secret to flying private for less – are unlocking luxury travel opportunities across Asia-Pacific and worldwide. These one-way repositioning flights occur when a private jet must fly empty to a new location, and savvy travelers can hop on board at huge discounts (often 50–75% off standard charter prices).
The catch? Empty leg deals usually pop up last-minute and come with fixed schedules, meaning travelers need to be flexible and quick to act. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into practical tools and strategies to monitor and grab empty leg flights, explain how JetScanner360’s real-time search and booking system makes finding deals easy (with an APAC advantage), and walk through unique traveler scenarios in Asia-Pacific.
Whether you’re a Singapore executive eyeing a spontaneous Hong Kong hop or a Bangkok couple seeking a jet-set weekend getaway, read on for an insider’s guide to empty leg flight deals – and how to turn tech savvy + flexibility into unforgettable private jet journeys.
Tools and Strategies for Tracking Empty Leg Flights
Scoring an empty leg deal is all about knowing where to look and staying alerted. Unlike regular flights, empty legs aren’t published on fixed schedules; they appear whenever a one-way charter leaves a jet needing to relocate. Here are practical strategies and tools to help you monitor and grab empty leg flights:
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Sign Up for Alerts & Newsletters: Most private jet operators and brokers offer email newsletters or text alerts for empty legs. Subscribing to these is key – you’ll get notified the moment a cheap one-way flight becomes available (sometimes just 24–48 hours before departure).
For example, charter companies often blast out upcoming empty legs to their subscriber list; some even send SMS texts for instant updates. Many operators in APAC allow sign-ups for alert services – being on those lists means you might hear about a Singapore–Bangkok empty leg before anyone else. Fast notification is crucial, since empty leg deals can disappear within hours due to demand. -
Use Dedicated Apps & Marketplaces: Leverage digital platforms that aggregate empty leg offers in real time. JetScanner360, for instance, instantly scans available private jets and empty-leg deals across a wide network of operators, giving you a one-stop view of current opportunities.
Mobile apps from companies like FlyXO or PrivateFly also list empty legs (XO even lets you book by the individual seat on select routes). These apps often feature maps or search filters by region and date, so you can quickly spot an empty leg from (say) Jakarta to Bali coming up tomorrow.
Having these tools on your phone means you can check for deals on the go and even enable push notifications for new empty legs matching your criteria. -
Check Operator Websites and Social Media: Don’t overlook the source – many private jet operators and charter brokers publicly list empty legs on their websites or social channels. Platforms like Victor, VistaJet, Jettly, GlobeAir, and regional charter companies often maintain updated empty leg pages.
You can browse these lists (sometimes searchable by departure city or date) to see what’s available. Additionally, follow companies on Instagram, Facebook or join groups like “Empty Legs Asia Pacific” on social media – operators frequently post last-minute empty leg deals there.
For example, it’s not uncommon to see a Facebook post such as “🔥 Empty leg available: Kuala Lumpur to Phuket tomorrow, 4pm, Citation XLS, up to 8 passengers, 70% off.” Being active in these channels keeps you in the loop on informal deal postings. -
Leverage Brokers and Membership Networks: If you work with a private jet broker or belong to a jet membership program, let them know you’re interested in empty legs. Brokers often have industry-wide visibility and can notify you personally when a suitable empty repositioning flight pops up.
Some membership-based services (like VistaJet’s membership or former JetSmarter-type programs) even include empty legs as a perk – sometimes free or ultra-discounted for members. For instance, Delta Private Jets’ Sky Access program (now part of Wheels Up) allowed members to book unlimited empty legs for no additional charge beyond a flat annual fee.
While membership programs have their own costs, they illustrate the value placed on empty legs. Even without joining a club, a good broker can monitor multiple operators’ inventories on your behalf and hold an empty leg seat for you if you’re a known client. Just remember: if you commit to an empty leg through a broker or anyone, it’s usually non-refundable on your side (more on that risk later). -
Monitor Frequently & Be Ready to Act: Finding empty legs isn’t a one-and-done deal – it requires frequent checking and the willingness to jump when an opportunity appears. Make it a habit to scan empty leg listings regularly (daily or several times a week).
Many experienced empty-leg travelers set up a workflow: every morning, they’ll quickly skim their email alerts and favorite apps for any new deals, and again in the evening. If you’re targeting a specific route or region (say, “any empty legs from Singapore to Hong Kong this month”), use platforms that allow you to set route-specific alerts or saved searches.
And when a match does appear, act fast – you may need to call or click “Book” within hours. It helps to have your travel documents up to date, a bag almost packed, and tentative backup plans in mind. Remember, empty leg deals are often first-come, first-served.
Having the mindset of “see deal, book first, figure out logistics second” will serve you well (assuming you’ve verified you can actually go, of course!). In short, treat empty leg hunting as part of your travel routine – the consistency will pay off when a dream deal surfaces.
By combining these strategies – alerts, apps, direct monitoring, and proactive communication – you’ll vastly improve your odds of catching that perfect empty leg flight that fits your needs. In the next section, we’ll explore how our platform, JetScanner360, makes this process easier, especially for travelers in the Asia-Pacific region.
How JetScanner360 Streamlines Empty Leg Booking
Finding and booking empty legs used to require combing through scattered sources or trading calls with brokers. JetScanner360 (JS360) changes the game by consolidating empty leg opportunities and on-demand charters in a single user-friendly system.
Here’s how JetScanner360’s search and booking platform works, and why it’s especially handy for APAC travelers:
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Real-Time Aggregation of Deals: JetScanner360 functions as a global marketplace for private jet flights. The platform connects with a wide network of private aircraft operators and continuously scans for available aircraft and empty-leg deals.
In practical terms, when an operator anywhere in the world (including Asia-Pacific) posts an empty leg flight, it can show up on JetScanner360’s feed almost instantly. This saves travelers from having to visit dozens of websites – JS360 brings the deals to you.
For example, instead of checking separate listings from a Hong Kong operator, an Australian operator, etc., a single search on JetScanner might pull all empty legs departing “Asia-Pacific” in the next week. It’s like a meta-search engine dedicated to private jet specials. -
Easy Search & Instant Booking: The JetScanner360 interface allows you to browse and filter flights by departure city, date, aircraft type, and more (including both empty legs and standard charters).
See an empty leg that suits you? You can view the details (route, timing, aircraft, price) and often book it on the spot with a few clicks. JetScanner360 provides instant price estimates and secure online booking, so you don’t need to haggle over the phone or wait for a callback to confirm.
Notably, our platform publishes worldwide empty legs daily, and even flights departing within the next 3–6 hours are available for instant booking if you’re quick.
This near-real-time capability is a huge advantage – you could literally be at Singapore’s Seletar Airport, refresh the JetScanner app, and discover an empty leg leaving in a few hours that you can snag immediately. It brings a new level of convenience and spontaneity to private flying. -
Local Expertise & APAC Emphasis: While JetScanner360’s reach is global, it was built with a keen eye on the Asia-Pacific market. Our team comprises aviation professionals with deep regional experience, and we recognized that APAC travelers and operators often lacked a centralized platform for empty legs.
By partnering with operators from Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Dubai, and beyond, JetScanner360 ensures that plenty of APAC-relevant empty legs are listed – not just the usual US or European routes. This is a key regional advantage. For example, an empty leg from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta that might have been shared only in a small operator circle can now reach a wider audience through JS360.
In the same vein, a private jet company in Sydney can market its empty repositioning flight to Singapore on JetScanner360 and fill seats it otherwise might not. The platform essentially expands operators’ reach and travelers’ choices, creating a more liquid market for empty legs. The result is more deals for users, especially in regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East that historically had less empty-leg visibility. -
Concierge-Level Support: JetScanner360 marries high-tech with high-touch service. Should you find an empty leg deal on the platform and have questions or special requests, our support team is on hand to assist – be it arranging ground transfers, coordinating with the operator on catering, or handling any hiccups.
This is part of JS360’s “concierge-level” approach. For instance, if you’re about to book a Bangkok–Phuket empty leg for a surprise anniversary trip, you can ping our team to arrange a champagne welcome on board or coordinate your pickup at the private terminal.
While the platform is designed for effortless self-service, the human experts are in the loop to ensure everything goes smoothly. This is particularly comforting in APAC, where time zones and languages vary – having local-savvy support means nothing gets lost in translation. -
Flexible Options Beyond Empty Legs: Another perk of JetScanner360 is that it doesn’t only show empty legs; you can compare them with on-demand charter quotes for the same route. Perhaps no empty leg aligns exactly with your needed route/time, but you still want to fly private – you can request a charter quote through the same interface and sometimes even see “nearby” empty legs or shared flight opportunities that could work.
JetScanner360’s mission is to make private jet travel seamless and accessible, so it presents all the options: deeply discounted empty legs when available, plus regular charter solutions (and even seat-sharing options in some cases).
This holistic view empowers you to make the best choice. You might discover, for example, that while your exact route (say, Tokyo to Singapore on Friday) has no empty leg, there is one from Osaka to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday – close enough that you could grab it and position yourself creatively for an extended trip.
The platform encourages such creative trip-planning by putting many possibilities at your fingertips.
In short, JetScanner360 simplifies the empty leg hunt by aggregating deals, providing instant booking, and catering to the APAC traveler’s needs. It transforms what could be a fragmented, rush process into a smooth search-and-book experience.
With the tech side sorted, let’s look at how different travelers across Asia-Pacific are taking advantage of empty leg flights and integrating them into their travel lifestyles.
APAC Traveler Scenarios: Empty Legs in Action
One of the exciting aspects of empty leg flights is how they enable impromptu adventures and convenient business trips alike. Below are a few realistic scenarios illustrating empty leg use cases in Asia-Pacific and beyond, highlighting the flexibility and value they offer:
- The Singapore–Hong Kong Executive – Use Case: Short-Notice Business Trip.
Scenario: It’s Wednesday afternoon in Singapore when an executive gets an urgent request to attend a client meeting in Hong Kong first thing Thursday.
Commercial flights are mostly full or inconvenient, and a last-minute charter quote tops $30,000. Instead, she checks JetScanner360 and finds an empty leg Singapore to Hong Kong departing that night – a super-midsize jet that needs to reposition for a Friday booking out of HK.
It’s listed at 60% off the typical charter cost. Within minutes, she books it securely through the app. That evening, she arrives at Seletar Airport’s private terminal just 20 minutes before departure, skips the usual airport queues, and flies directly to Hong Kong in luxe comfort.
The cost? Perhaps around $10,000 – a significant saving for her company travel budget. Key point: Because she was flexible on timing (flying late night) and used a digital platform to spot the opportunity, she turned an emergency trip into a smooth, private journey.
She also had a backup commercial ticket on hold for the next morning just in case – not needed in the end, as the empty leg operated as planned.
- The Bangkok Couple’s Spontaneous Getaway – Use Case: Luxury Leisure on a Whim.
Scenario: A couple in Bangkok is in the mood for a spontaneous weekend escape. They’re flexible about where to go – “somewhere beachy or cultural, not too far.”
Instead of browsing airline sales, they check for empty legs. Lo and behold, an empty leg Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Phuket pops up for Friday afternoon: a light jet taking a reposition hop down to Phuket to pick up another charter client. It’s priced at around 70% off normal, making it not much more per person than last-minute business class tickets.
They grab the deal. By Friday evening, they’re sipping champagne on their own private jet, arriving in Phuket in just over an hour. They enjoy a blissful weekend on the beach.
For the return, there wasn’t an empty leg available at a convenient time, so they fly back commercially on Sunday – still basking in the glow of their private flight down.
Key point: Empty legs can enable one-way indulgences like this couple’s trip. By staying open-minded on destination (they would have been just as happy to snag, say, a Bangkok to Siem Reap empty leg if one showed up), they let the empty leg availability guide their holiday choice.
It’s a new kind of luxury travel habit: letting the deals determine the destination, at least occasionally.
- The Sydney Family’s Island Holiday – Use Case: Group Travel at a Bargain.
Scenario: An extended family in Australia (six people) plans a vacation to Fiji. They’re accustomed to flying commercial, but someone suggests checking empty legs.
Sure enough, an upcoming Melbourne to Nadi (Fiji) empty leg is listed by a charter operator – a jet needs to return to Fiji to position for its next charter. The empty leg is offered at perhaps $8,000 total, whereas a full-price private charter would be triple that.
Split among six family members, the cost per person is comparable to last-minute business class fares, yet here it buys them a whole private jet experience. They coordinate their schedules on short notice, book the empty leg, and start their island holiday in style. The kids are thrilled to have a plane to themselves, and the parents appreciate the space and personalized service.
Once in Fiji, they’ll fly back on a regular airline two weeks later (since empty legs for a return weren’t guaranteed). Key point: For group travel, empty legs can be a phenomenal value. If you can fill most of the seats on the jet, the per-person cost often rivals or even beats commercial business/first class – turning an aspirational trip into a reasonable splurge.
This family used tech tools to find an empty leg outside of the usual heavy routes, demonstrating that even places like the South Pacific see empty leg opportunities when jets reposition for clients.
- The Multi-City Jet-Setter – Use Case: Opportunistic Routing.
Scenario: A high-net-worth traveler in Hong Kong has a flexible schedule and loves exploring. She regularly monitors empty legs across Asia and beyond, effectively planning trips around them.
In one month, she might fly Hong Kong to Dubai on an empty leg that popped up (perhaps a Global jet re-positioning, saving her tens of thousands), enjoy a stay in Dubai, then catch another empty leg Dubai to London that she spotted via JetScanner.
After some time in Europe, she even finds an empty leg London back to Hong Kong when a jet needs to return east – a rare but golden find. In essence, she’s pieced together a globe-trotting itinerary largely on empty legs, paying a fraction of what those charters would normally cost. She complements this by flying commercial or using miles for segments where no empty legs align.
Key point: This scenario shows how truly flexible, tech-enabled travelers can string together empty legs to roam far afield. While not everyone can or will organize their travel around such serendipity, it underscores the potential: empty legs aren’t only short hops.
They can be long-haul flights bridging continents (e.g. Hong Kong to New York has appeared as an empty leg deal). As Asia’s private jet fleet grows and integrates with global operations, such opportunities are likely to increase.
For travelers who thrive on spontaneity and adventure, empty legs open a door to creative, cost-efficient luxury travel that simply wasn’t accessible before.
These scenarios highlight a few patterns: business travelers leveraging empty legs for cost and time savings, leisure travelers embracing spontaneity, groups capitalizing on per-seat economics, and the truly flexible using empty legs as their personal travel matrix.
In Asia-Pacific, where business aviation is expanding quickly (fleet size and demand forecasted to double in the next decade), we can expect empty leg options to become even more plentiful.
Major routes between key hubs (e.g. Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo) will see more one-way charters, which in turn means more empty repositioning flights. Even secondary destinations – resort locales like Phuket, Bali, the Maldives, or business centers like Bangalore and Shenzhen – will contribute to the empty leg pool as private jet usage in the region rises.
JetScanner360’s data already shows a steady uptick in APAC empty leg listings month over month.
Now that we’ve seen how empty legs can be applied in real life, let’s discuss some best practices for travelers interested in making empty legs part of their travel repertoire. It’s not just about finding a deal; it’s about fitting these unique flights into your plans wisely.
Empty Leg Travel Tips for Flexible Luxury Flyers
Flying on empty legs requires a bit of a mindset shift from traditional travel planning. Here are some tips and considerations to help you make the most of empty leg deals while avoiding potential pitfalls:
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Stay Flexible and Open-Minded: Flexibility is the golden rule of empty leg travel. You often have to work around the plane’s schedule rather than your own – departure times and airports are fixed to the original charter’s needs.
If you can pad your schedule (e.g. arriving a day early for a meeting if you snag an empty leg, or taking a detour to a different airport), you’ll dramatically increase your options. Also, be open to unexpected destinations.
Perhaps you hadn’t planned to visit X city, but an empty leg deal there could become a serendipitous adventure. The empty-leg traveler’s motto could well be “Plan less, explore more.” Many great stories begin with “I wasn’t planning to go there, but then I saw an empty leg deal…” -
Always Have a Backup Plan: Because empty leg flights are by nature conditional (they exist only because another client’s trip exists), there is a risk of last-minute cancellation by the operator. If the primary charter customer cancels or changes plans, your empty leg ride can vanish with little warning. Charter companies will refund you if they cancel, but unlike airlines, they generally won’t rebook you or cover your alternative transport.
So, wise empty leg travelers always have a Plan B. This could mean holding a refundable/commercial ticket along the same route or to the nearest major city, or at least being prepared to buy a last-minute airline ticket if needed.
For instance, the Singapore exec in our scenario might have kept a full-fare commercial ticket on standby for the next morning. In practice, outright cancellations are not super common, but they do happen – be mentally and financially ready for that scenario.
Travel insurance that covers charter non-performance is an option, though not very common; more often it’s personal contingency planning that saves the day. -
Act Fast, But Verify Details: Speed is crucial in booking empty legs (if you hesitate, someone else will grab it). That said, before you hit “Confirm,” double-check the details.
Ensure you can actually make the fixed departure time and that the airports match your needs. Some empty legs use alternate airports (e.g., Seletar instead of Changi in Singapore, or Tokyo Narita instead of Haneda).
These are usually business-aviation friendly airports and often more convenient, but you should be aware of where you’ll actually depart/arrive. Also check if any special restrictions apply (occasionally an empty leg might not allow pets, or might have a slight departure time flexibility window).
JetScanner360 displays these details, and you can always contact support with questions before booking. It’s better to clarify upfront than to realize at the last minute that, say, the jet can’t wait if you’re late – because it won’t! -
Leverage Technology for Alerts: We’ve touched on it, but it bears repeating: set up route alerts or use calendar reminders to check for empty legs. Some JetScanner360 users like to use the platform’s alert feature (you can save a search and get notified if a matching flight is posted).
Additionally, using tools like IFTTT or email filters can route all “empty leg” mentions to your phone as push notifications. The travelers who get the best deals aren’t necessarily lucky; they are the ones who have configured their tech to give them a heads-up the moment a deal surfaces. It’s like being your own travel agent on high alert.
Over time, you’ll get a feel for which days of week or times of year more empty legs appear (for example, after big events like F1 races or Art Basel, there can be a spike in empty legs leaving those event cities as jets reposition home). -
Be Ready to Book Creatively: Empty legs are typically sold as whole aircraft charters, but think creatively about how you use that capacity. If you find a great empty leg deal, consider sharing the experience – invite friends or colleagues to join (cost-splitting makes it even more affordable, and it’s more fun with company).
While you cannot usually sell seats on your own (unless through a platform like XO that does per-seat sales officially), nothing stops a private group from enjoying the ride together. On the flip side, if you’re a solo traveler eyeing an empty leg that’s too pricey to take alone, see if any friends are coincidentally headed that direction or would jump on a spontaneous trip if the price is right.
You might be surprised – a lot of people will say “yes” to flying private at economy-class prices! Also, remember that negotiation can be an option. If an empty leg is still unbooked a few hours before departure, some operators are willing to entertain an offer.
There’s no guarantee, but if you’re feeling bold, a polite inquiry like “Would you accept $X for this flight if I book immediately?” might snag you an even better bargain (especially if $X at least covers their fuel). -
Understand the Fine Print: Lastly, familiarize yourself with the terms of empty leg bookings. Nearly always, these are non-changeable, non-refundable on the traveler’s side. Once you commit, you either fly or you forfeit the fare if you back out. Fair enough – you’re getting a deal, but you also assume some risk.
If the operator cancels, you get your money back, but not much else (hence the backup plan advice). Catering on empty legs may be limited – don’t expect a full gourmet spread as you might on a paid charter.
Usually there will be snacks and drinks, but if a fancy meal is important to you, consider arranging it in advance (JS360 can assist in coordinating special catering on request).
Also, ground transportation on arrival won’t automatically be included, so plan that separately or ask if it can be added. Essentially, treat an empty leg like a very cool, discounted flight with a few strings attached, and you’ll manage expectations accordingly.
By following these tips, you can turn empty leg flying from a rare lucky break into a regular part of your travel strategy. Many luxury travelers in APAC are now adopting a “why not check empty legs?” approach whenever a trip comes up.
The cost savings can be substantial, and there’s a certain thrill in knowing you’ve unlocked a VIP experience that others might have paid many times more for. Technology like JetScanner360 makes it easier than ever to find these flights, but your mindset and preparation make the difference in capitalizing on them.
Bottom line: Empty leg flights offer an exciting avenue for luxury travel at a fraction of normal private jet prices. For Asia-Pacific travelers and beyond, they are becoming more accessible as the private aviation market grows.
With the right tools, timely information, and a bit of flexibility, you can enjoy champagne skies without the caviar price. So go ahead – indulge your inner jet-setter, keep your calendar open, and let those empty legs elevate your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What exactly is an empty leg flight and why is it so much cheaper?
A1: An empty leg flight is a private jet flying without passengers, usually because it’s repositioning for its next charter or returning to base. Instead of flying empty, operators offer these flights to paying travelers at steep discounts – often 50–75% off the usual charter price.
The flight is happening anyway, so whatever they earn is offsetting costs that would’ve been spent flying empty. However, empty legs come with a fixed schedule and route (set by the original charter’s needs).
They’re cheaper precisely because you as the traveler have to fit into the plane’s existing plan (no choosing your own departure time or destination) and accept a bit of risk (if the original charter cancels, your flight might cancel too). In short: it’s a “use it or lose it” opportunity – great value if it aligns with your plans, but little flexibility to modify.
Q2: How can I find empty leg flight deals in the Asia-Pacific region?
A2: Empty leg deals in APAC can be found through several channels. First, digital platforms like JetScanner360 list empty legs worldwide, including a strong selection in Asia-Pacific (covering routes between major hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo, Dubai, etc.).
You can search by region or set alerts for specific city pairs. Second, many regional charter operators post empty legs on their websites or via email newsletters – for example, companies based in Hong Kong or Australia might have a dedicated “Empty Legs” page. It’s wise to subscribe to newsletters of operators that serve your local airports or frequent routes; you’ll get notifications of any upcoming deals.
Third, consider joining social media groups or following accounts focused on private jet deals in APAC. There are Facebook groups and Instagram accounts where brokers share last-minute empty legs (often labeled with the route, date, and price).
Lastly, working with a broker who is active in Asia-Pacific can help – let them know the routes you’re interested in (say, “any empty legs from Southeast Asia to India”) and they can inform you when something pops up. The key is to cast a wide net – empty legs are hit-or-miss, so checking multiple sources maximizes your chances of catching one.
Q3: How does JetScanner360 help with empty leg flights?
A3: JetScanner360 is an online platform designed to make finding and booking empty leg flights (and other private jet options) easy. It aggregates empty leg offers from operators around the world into one interface, so you don’t have to hunt across dozens of sites.
For travelers, this means you can log in and instantly see all available empty legs, filtering by departure location, date, or aircraft. JetScanner360 provides transparent pricing and details, and even allows for instant booking of many empty legs right on the platform. No waiting for quotes by email – if you see a deal you like, you can secure it in a few clicks.
The platform is particularly useful in APAC because it’s tuned into regional operators that might not be widely known – giving you access to local empty legs (e.g. a Jakarta–Singapore repositioning flight) alongside global ones. Another benefit is that JetScanner360’s team offers concierge support: if you have questions or special requests for your flight (ground transport, catering, etc.), they can assist, making the whole experience seamless.
And importantly, JetScanner360 is free to use for travelers. You just create an account (no membership fees) and you can start searching. You pay only if you actually book a flight.
In summary, JetScanner360 acts as your personal empty leg radar – scanning the skies for deals and giving you the tools to grab them before they’re gone.
Q4: Can I book just a seat on an empty leg, or do I have to book the whole jet?
A4: In most cases, empty leg flights are sold as entire aircraft charters. This means the price you see is for you to hire the whole jet (up to its full passenger capacity). You aren’t expected to fill all the seats, but it’s up to you whether you fly solo or bring friends/family.
There are a few exceptions where you can book by the seat: some innovative services and memberships offer empty leg seats to individuals. For example, XO (FlyXO) has occasionally sold empty leg seats on a per-person basis on certain routes.
These situations are relatively rare, and when they do happen, it’s usually on popular routes where the operator thinks they can sell all seats by splitting the empty leg (turning it into a semi-scheduled flight). For the vast majority of empty legs, though, it’s an all-or-nothing deal – you get the whole plane. The good news is that even as a whole aircraft, the price can be superb value compared to a normal charter.
Some travelers also self-organize seat-sharing: for instance, two separate parties who both need to go the same way might chip in together to book an empty leg and share the flight (this you’d coordinate on your own, as the operator just sees one booking for the jet).
There are also “shared private” flight services like Blade or JSX (in the US) which are not exactly empty legs, but related concepts – however in Asia-Pacific, that model is just emerging. So, generally plan on booking the full empty leg. If you’re a solo traveler, consider the whole-jet price as the cost for a private experience (and maybe enjoy inviting a friend along for free!). If booking by the seat becomes more common on empty legs, it will likely be announced by the platform or operator offering it.
Q5: What happens if my empty leg flight is canceled by the operator?
A5: Empty leg flights carry a small risk of cancellation because they depend on another flight’s schedule. If the original charter client cancels their trip or changes itinerary, the empty leg you booked may no longer be available (since the plane doesn’t need to reposition).
In such cases, the operator will cancel your empty leg booking. You will be refunded the amount you paid – but that’s usually the extent of their obligation. Unlike commercial airlines, private charter companies typically do not rebook you on another flight or cover secondary costs (like hotel or other transport) if an empty leg falls through.
This is why having a backup plan is essential. The good news is that outright cancellations aren’t extremely common, but they do occur occasionally, often last-minute. If it happens, you’ll at least get your money back for the flight. Some operators or platforms will try to help you find an alternative (for example, they might offer a discounted charter quote for a different aircraft as a substitute, or alert you if any other empty leg could work), but there’s no guarantee.
Travel insurance policies usually don’t cover this scenario well, since it’s a unique private flight situation – though it’s worth checking if you have bespoke insurance. The best approach is to be mentally prepared: if your empty leg cancels, it’s time to execute Plan B (whether that’s hopping on an airline flight or rescheduling your plans).
The silver lining: because you saved so much on the empty leg, you might still come out ahead cost-wise even after buying a last-minute ticket home, for example. And platforms like JetScanner360 will typically flag known issues as early as possible – if we catch wind that an empty leg’s primary trip is shaky, we inform clients immediately.
Rest assured, though, empty leg cancellations are the exception not the norm; most of the time, the flight goes ahead and you get to enjoy that private jet experience as promised.