The truth about private jet empty legs

The summer holiday season in Europe sees private jet empty legs reaching their peak of availability. Empty legs are discounted one-way private jet flights, offered at up to 75% off the standard private jet price. But for many travellers, it can be difficult to understand how they work, and whether the eye-catching prices are too good to be true.

Now PrivateFly has created an infographic guide which explains how empty legs come about, the pros and cons, and how to be savvy when it comes to finding them.

Carol Cork, marketing director of PrivateFly comments: “Empty legs can offer an exciting way of sampling private jet travel at a fraction of the cost. It’s true that pricing is much lower than usual private jet flights – and sometimes can even rival airline prices. But it’s also important that customers understand the limitations.

“Empty legs come about as a result of a booked private jet charter, when the aircraft is returning to its home base after a one-way flight, or flying to a new location to pick up passengers at the start of a new job. The resulting repositioning flight can then be sold at a discount, as it would otherwise be flying empty.

“Prices can be very attractive as aircraft operators are often willing to sell the flight at a much lower cost. But the empty leg can be subject to change or cancellation – if the original customer changes their timing or route for example. And of course an empty leg is only one-way, so you’ll probably need to combine it with an airline ticket to complete the trip”.

“There are a lot of empty legs available at the moment, as it’s Europe’s peak season for private jet travel. For groups travelling together this can mean prices from £340 per person. For example we’re offering London Luton to Amsterdam Schiphol in a Beech 390 6-seater aircraft on 5th July for £2,200. Or London Stansted to Paris in a highly-desirable Gulfstream G550 16-seater aircraft on 9th July for £5,500.

“It’s important to understand that empty legs are a bit of a moveable feast, but if you’re prepared to be flexible at short notice, and know where to look, it can be a great way to experience private jet travel at a much lower price.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

See PrivateFly’s infographic What An Empty Leg? or download the PrivateFly app for the easiest way to search for empty legs by destination.