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How to Find an Empty Leg Private Jet

Wondering how to find an empty leg private jet flight? 

With so many different opportunities available, booking your flight can be confusing at times. You know that you don’t want to travel commercially, but when it comes to affordability, it may seem like the only option. 

Empty leg flights on a private jet, however, can be a game-changer. You can take advantage of all that the world of private travel has to offer while remaining within your budget. 

In this article, we will discuss what they are and how to find an empty leg private jet. 

What is an Empty Leg on a Private Jet?

An empty leg flight is traveling without any passengers. Whether the jet has to get back to its home base for another flight or it is repositioning itself for an upcoming booking, private jets take to the skies all the time without any passengers in tow. 

For the carrier, this means that they have to travel without earning any revenue. All expenses for fuel and flight crew will come out of their own pocket. However, if they offer it up as a discounted flight, they are likely to find someone heading in the same direction to share the cost. 

As a passenger, you still get nearly all the luxurious benefits of traveling privately. The difference is that you may have a little less flexibility. There are usually some restrictions on travel times and the destination has already been set. 

If you find an empty leg that fits into your plans, then you can save money and enjoy the flight.

Who Should Take Advantage of Empty Leg Flights? 

Anyone who is looking to travel comfortably while saving money should see if they can take advantage of private empty leg private jet flights. This includes those traveling for business, families heading out on vacation, couples looking to get away, or solo travelers seeking an adventure. 

Of course, it is important to know that empty leg flights cannot be booked well in advance. That means to take advantage of this travel, you have to be flexible with your travel plans, as well as spontaneous. Many of these flights are booked just a few days – or hours – before the scheduled flight. They are meant for those who thrive on short-notice travel. 

Unfortunately, for individuals who have rigid travel plans requiring specific location, date, and time of travel, empty legs may not always be the ideal option —- unless you come across one that just happens to be heading in the right direction at the right time. 

Benefits of Traveling on Empty Leg Flights

Your flight doesn’t have to be just your means of traveling to your destination. With a private jet, it can be an experience. You may not have as much flexibility as you would typically have when booking a charter, but you can definitely reap the benefits of this type of travel. 

Here are a few of the many benefits of traveling on empty leg flights: 

  • Save money with reduced travel fees. 
  • Private accommodations onboard the jet. 
  • Inflight connectivity and entertainment. 
  • Comfortable seating and elegant surroundings. 
  • Save time with quick, efficient travel — and no long lines or layovers. 
  • Luxurious amenities.
  • Ability to fly into smaller, less crowded airports — potentially closer to your destination. 

You can add personalized touches to your private jet experience and enjoy all aspects of your flight. It’s travel you can feel good about, whether you are traveling alone or with a whole group. 

How to Find an Empty Leg Private Jet

So, how do you find an empty leg flight? The one-way flights that have to get where they are going, but don’t have any passengers will often be listed somewhere by the charter company. For instance, some make things easy by listing all available empty leg flights right on their website. Others may send out an email blast to those who have registered for it. Some charter companies will only share the information if you call to inquire. 

The best thing you can do is find a reputable charter company that you can trust and reach out to them. Find out how they share their empty leg flights and how you can book one when you are ready. 

Book Your Empty Leg Flight with The Early Air Way

Getting a reduced price for an empty leg flight shouldn’t come with a reduced level of comfort and luxury. This is why it is so important to pay attention to who you are booking your empty leg flight through. 

The Early Air Way provides high-quality service from the time you book your flight until you land and go about your travels. They understand that you have a choice when it comes to booking your private flight, but they also know that they outshine the competition in what they offer their passengers. 

All available flights are conveniently listed on their website. Or, you can always reach out to their charter team via phone and let them know what it is you are looking for and see how they can help. 

Empty leg flights make private travel more affordable —- and reduce your need to travel commercially. When you can have all the benefits of flying private while saving money, it just makes sense.

Conclusion

Before you book your next flight, be sure to check all your options. Empty leg flights can be very rewarding when you are flexible with your travel plans. You can take advantage of all the amenities and benefits of private travel while saving money. 

And the jet has the help it needs to offset its costs. It’s a win-win for everyone. 

Check out available empty leg specials at The Early Air Way today!

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Travel Tips

How to Find Empty Seats on Private Jets

You could contact your charter company and book a flight to take you to your destination —- and pay full price. Or, if you are flexible in your travel, then you can find empty seats on private jets and save yourself some money without giving up all the perks of flying private

But how do you do it? Where do you find these seats? The secret is just knowing where to look and having the right charter company on your side. 

Can You Really Find Empty Seats on Private Jets? 

Empty seats on private jets are available for you, most commonly though empty leg flights. However, now and then, some travelers are looking to cut the cost of their trip so they look for others heading in the same direction — offering a ride on their shared jet. This can happen at any time but is highly popular when big events are taking place, such as the Super Bowl. 

As their name suggests, empty-leg flights are those jets that have to travel a leg with an empty cabin — meaning there are no passengers. This can cost the jet since it has to pay for the fuel and the flight crew without having any paying passengers to help offset these fees. 

How do they find themselves without passengers?

Well, not everyone who books a charter flight wants a return flight right away, if ever. That means if a private jet reaches a destination to drop passengers, it may need to fly back to where it came from without anyone on board. Also, sometimes jets have to relocate to pick up passengers. For instance, if they dropped someone in the past who now wants their return flight, the jet will need to go pick up the passenger — potentially heading there empty. 

The Benefits of Finding Empty Seats 

Although you may not get the level of personalization that you would typically find when chartering, there are benefits to finding empty seats on private jets. Let’s take a look at a few of the perks that are must-haves. 

Arriving for your flight. You don’t have to arrive hours in advance for your private charter. You only need to be here about 15 to 20 minutes before it is scheduled to depart. Empty-leg flights may have a little flexibility in time should you find yourself stuck in traffic, but they usually have a schedule they need to keep. 

FBOs and Private Airports. When you find an empty seat, you will likely be flying into and out of private airports or FBOs. You will avoid busy major airports and simply enjoy the amenities and comforts that come with traveling without long waits to check in, long security lines, and so forth. 

Luxurious comfort. Once you do finally make it on the jet, you will find overstuffed, comfortable chairs with retractable tables, and maybe even a couch or two throughout the cabin. There is plenty of legroom and space — and every opportunity to move around as you wish. 

Inflight entertainment. Once on board, you can stay connected with those on the ground thanks to the strong wireless connection. Depending on the aircraft, you may have monitors, entertainment systems, DVD players, charging stations, and more. 

The galley and refreshments. Again, it depends on the jet, but you can expect to have some sort of refreshments while onboard a private jet and you are always more than welcome to bring your food with you. 

Relaxed baggage. Unlike commercial flights, you will not have to worry about baggage restrictions. You will almost always have access to the full baggage capacity allowed on your aircraft. 

Find Empty Seats When You Find the Right Charter Company

A quick Google search will confirm that there are many charter companies out there. There are a lot of broker services too — which means you are dealing with a middle person rather than the charter company itself. 

To find empty seats on private jets, you have to find the right charter company. This means finding the company that offers you a few key factors, including: 

  • Having a charter fleet with a wide selection of aircraft. 
  • Capable of traveling to a great number of destinations throughout the United States and the world. 
  • Offering consistent rates that are equivalent to others in the industry — or better. 

What’s more, finding a charter company near you will give you access to the largest number of convenient available flights

You should feel comfortable reaching out to this charter company to determine what flights are available for a discount, as well as obtaining quotes for regular travel. Engage with them and build a rapport that can make your private travel experience even more personable and enjoyable. 

Sign Up For Alerts

If you have all the time in the world, you can spend your days looking up empty-leg flights. You can try to find something that will give you what you are looking for — between the two locations you want to travel. Of course, you will have to do this all the time so you don’t miss out. 

Let’s be real. Monitoring charter companies for potential empty-leg flights is not always a feasible option. It should be mentioned, too, that not all charter companies will list their empty-leg flights online. 

So, what can you do? 

When you find the right charter company, they will have an easy way of alerting you of newly available empty-leg flights — such as sending them via email to you the moment a flight becomes available. This is even greater if you can narrow down your search terms so you only get notified on flights you may be interested in. 

Looking For Empty Seats on Private Jets? 

At The Early Air Way, based in Van Nuys, you will find empty seats on private jets just waiting for you. Find yours today, listed easily for you on our website! While you are there, don’t forget to sign up for alerts on all the upcoming empty leg specials available to you — even narrowing it down to the route you are looking for!

We make finding empty seats easy! 

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Travel Tips

Your Guide to Taking an Empty Leg Trip

Many people dream about flying on a private jet to their destination, but not everyone is willing or able to cover the cost of doing so. It is not a secret that private jets can often come with a hefty price tag. Though, all the perks that come with this travel method make it worthwhile. 

For those who have always wanted to know what the experience is like without having to pay full price, you may want to consider investing in an empty leg flight.

What is it? How does it work? Where do you find one? Here is your guide to taking an empty leg trip. 

What is an Empty Leg Flight? 

In the world of aviation, a flight from point A to point B is referred to as a leg. Even if a flight had multiple stops, each stretch of travel is considered a leg. So, an empty leg is one in which the jet is empty — there are no travelers. 

Empty legs occur due to passengers taking one-way flights or because charter companies need to re-position a jet for a future flight. 

Because the jet is going from one airport to the next, it will offer a discounted flight to those who are headed in the same direction. Just how discounted the travel is or isn’t will vary based on each specific flight. 

How to Search For Empty Leg Flights

Knowing about empty leg flights is one thing, but knowing how to search for and find one is another thing. 

You are not going to easily find empty leg flights like you would when booking commercial travel. There is not always going to be a jet with an empty leg traveling from Los Angeles to Seattle on a Tuesday at 4:00pm. Rather, these flights are sporadic — and you may or may not find one available that is going to the destination you had in mind and at the time and date you prefer. However, if you can be flexible with your travel, you can save yourself some money. 

The key is to know how to search for empty leg flights. 

Your best place to start is a reputable charter company that is based out of your location. They will usually wait to ensure no one else is going to book the flight and then list them on their website as an empty leg. This is precisely why most are last minute bookings. 

Doing an online search for empty leg flights from your area will also turn up results. There are some websites that pull all of those from charter companies and list them.Since the idea is to save money, be cautious when booking through a third-party as you may end up paying more than if you just went directly though the charter company. 

What Can You Expect? 

What can you expect on an empty leg flight? Although the private jet experience is always incredible, there are a few differences when it comes to booking empty legs. After all, empty leg flights are traveling with a purpose and you are just going along for the ride. A very nice, comfortable ride. 

  • Food. You won’t likely be able to order a catered meal or expect to have any sort of refreshments on board your flight. You may find drinks and light snacks, but this is not always a guarantee so be sure to bring yours along. 
  • Flexibility. When flying private, you are the passenger. Usually, you are able to call ahead if you are running behind and the jet will wait for you. An empty leg flight offers much less flexibility when it comes to time changes and delays. The flight crew has an itinerary they need to stick to — so if you are running late, you may be left behind. 
  • Personalization. Private charters are known for their personalizations. They cater to their clients. But don’t expect an overly personalized experience on an empty leg flight. 

Don’t let this get you down. Traveling on an empty leg still comes with plenty of perks, luxury, and comfort that you won’t want to miss. 

The Amazing Benefits 

Since we have talked about the limitations on empty leg travel, it is only fair that we discuss the benefits of it, too. 

  • Time savings. Traveling on a private jet saves you time. You don’t have to show up hours early to a busy airport and wait in long lines to get through security. Instead, you can show up a few minutes before your flight. You also save time by having a non-stop flight with very little chance of delay— especially since they fly at higher altitudes and are less likely to be disrupted by weather.
  • Convenience. Flying out of smaller airports means less traffic, less people, and less hassle. There are no baggage issues and you can bring your own food, beverages, and even pets along with you without question. There is convenience at every turn. 
  • Privacy. Private jets are, well, private. Even on an empty leg, when you book the flight, it is yours. There are no strangers that come along for the ride. This makes it more comfortable to enjoy your flight. 
  • Luxury.  As always, private jets are luxurious. They come with comfortable seating and inflight amenities that can transform the meaning of air travel. 

When you book your travel on a private jet, you give yourself access to many benefits you won’t find when flying commercial. Yet, you receive them at a fraction of the cost. Now, that’s quite a large benefit. 

Empty Leg Trip Specials at The Early Air Way

If you are looking for empty leg flight specials, The Early Air Way has you covered with a list of all available options listed on our website. Of course, signing up for our Empty Leg Alerts is also a great way to stay in-the-know. 

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Flexible Flyer? Empty Leg Private Jet Services Are For You!

Imagine being able to hop on a last-minute private jet flight, traveling to your destination in style and luxury. Think private travel is outside of your budget? You may want to think again. 

Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to traveling on empty-leg private jet flights. Those who know about them find that taking advantage of the savings they bring can be quite rewarding. 

Though, these flights are not for every traveler. If you are a flexible flyer, empty leg private jet services are made just for you. 

What is an Empty Leg Flight? 

An empty leg flight is just as it sounds – the empty leg of a flight. Because they are so costly to the charter company, many do what they can and offer them up at a discount to flexible travelers. 

Here is an example. Let’s say that a private jet is booked out of Van Nuys airport to travel to Las Vegas, NV today. And, tomorrow it has another flight out of Van Nuys. it cannot just stay in Las Vegas waiting for another passenger because it has to get back for its flight tomorrow. 

Traveling from Las Vegas to Van Nuys will have to happen whether there is a passenger on board or not. This is an empty leg. 

If a traveler in Las Vegas just happens to be traveling to Los Angeles, they can often book this empty leg flight and catch some savings. After all, the private jet was already headed in that direction so booking a passenger at a discounted rate helps to offset the costs of travel. 

Flexibility and Empty Leg Flights

So why is it necessary to be a flexible flyer when it comes to empty leg private jets? 

Flying private on these flights can still allow you to reap many of the benefits that come with private travel. But you have less control over when and where you travel. 

You will not likely always find an empty leg flight headed to your specific destination – or even at a time that works best for you. But that is the point of these special flights. You receive savings in order to enjoy the luxury of a private jet because you are able to be flexible with your plans. 

Benefits of Empty Leg Flights

There is no doubt that empty leg flights can benefit flexible travelers when it comes to the cost of traveling, but are there other benefits to choosing these flights? Believe it or not, the answer is yes.

Variety. Empty leg flights are found with all types of private jets. For flexible travelers, this means being able to experience a variety of different sizes and luxuries – including those that could be incredibly expensive if booked as a full-price charter or even a helicopter. Therefore, depending on the private jet when you book your empty leg, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Efficiency. Another perk is you get to enjoy the efficiency that comes with private travel. For example, there are no long TSA security lines to stand in and you are not required to arrive hours before your flight. There are no real limitations on the luggage you can bring with you and you won’t be stuck with long layovers or having to change flights halfway through your flight either.

Accessibility. There is an increase in the availability of private jet empty leg flights. More and more people are turning to private charters as their main source of air travel. This means the number of empty leg flights is only going to continue to grow – making it a more accessible option. 

If you are looking for a few of the benefits that come with traveling on a private jet charter without paying full price for the flight, then taking advantage of available empty leg flights may very well be the way to go to meet your travel needs. 

Why it Pays to Be a Flexible Flyer

There are a few things you should know about empty leg flights before you decide to choose this option for your method of travel. While saving money always feels good, you should consider this: 

Empty leg flights can be canceled at any time. This may be due to mechanical issues, weather-related issues, or the chance to get booked for a full-price charter. There are many different reasons this can happen so keep this in mind. 

Empty legs are one-way flights. You don’t have a return flight and will be responsible for getting back from your destination when you need to. You may, of course, be able to score another empty leg flight back home, but that is not always something you can plan ahead for. 

You will get to enjoy the luxurious, private accommodations that come with private travel when you book an empty leg flight. However, you do not always have access to all the personalizations that can often come with this type of travel. 

Are Empty Legs Worth It?

So, are empty legs worth it? Many travelers take to the skies flying on private jets that they saved money on thanks to empty legs. They are able to get to where they need to go without all the added hassle of commercial air travel and without a lot of wasted time. They receive many of the benefits that come with private travel without paying the full price. 

Could they choose their flight time? Not likely. Could they book far in advance? Not really. 

Are empty legs worth it? For those who are flexible flyers, absolutely. 

Booking Your Empty Leg Flight

All in all, many frequent travelers find that empty leg flights can be very beneficial – as long as they are able to remain flexible. 

If this sounds like you, then don’t hesitate to take advantage of all that empty leg flights have to offer. And, when you are ready, The Early Airway offers easy access to their empty leg flight specials for your convenience. 

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Travel Tips

Traveling on a Budget Is Possible with Empty Leg Specials

Traveling on a budget can be challenging, but knowing these tips and tricks can help you save money. Learn how flying private can help stay under budget.

Who wants to travel on commercial airliners? People do it because they feel they have to – not because they want to. Think about it. No one likes to be stripped of personal comfort and space. And, handling crowds is usually far from the top of everyone’s list, especially these days.

But when it comes to traveling great distances, air travel is much more convenient for one reason: speed. Aircraft can fly at greater speeds, getting you to and from your destination quicker than your other options, such as automobile, bus, or train.

What if you could have the best of both worlds – fast travel and comfort? You are in luck. Flying private is possible even with a budget. Enjoy all the luxuries of flying with all the perks of a private jet while avoiding the crowds and frustrations of commercial air travel.

All you need to do is learn how to find a deal for traveling on a budget with empty leg specials.

Traveling on a Budget: Empty Leg Flights

Before you can begin to understand how you can benefit from the savings they bring, you should know what an empty leg flight actually is. Empty leg flights are flights that occur when a private jet needs to find its way to a specific location after dropping off a chartered client. Here is an example:

John Roberts was leaving Evansville, Indiana and flying to Miami, Florida. He booked his private jet and enjoyed the trip to his destination. Once they land, John Roberts goes about his business, as he does not plan to return to Evansville, Indiana for another seven days. In the meantime, the chartered private jet he flew needs to return home to Evansville for another client who is waiting. The empty jet heads back to Indiana.

This return portion – from Miami to Evansville – is considered the empty leg.

Private Travel That Fits Your Budget

Flying private jets may seem financially out of reach. But, with empty leg flights available all over the world, you no longer have to feel like flying private is for a few corporate elites. Instead, consider the availability – and you may find that it is cheaper to fly a private jet when traveling on a budget.

Perhaps you are wondering how this is possible. See, the private is already scheduled to fly to its destination because it has a pre-paid client waiting to fly out. Because the pilot (and crew) are heading there anyway, having you pay to be on-board is an added bonus.

This is how they can offer flights at discounted rates.

Benefits of Flying Private Jets

If you have flown on a private jet before, then you are aware of all the benefits that come with it. If you haven’t, then you have been missing out. Flying private is a luxurious way to get to your destination. In fact, it will make you never want to fly commercial again.

  • You get the ability to avoid the long TSA security lines inside the airport. Instead, you will fly through the smaller, private concourse – and enjoy the shorter, calmer security checkpoint process.
  • Enjoy a space for yourself on the flight. No need to share close quarters with a stranger.
  • Private jets offer you a luxurious space to relax, catch up on work, watch a movie, play games, and even eat while socializing.
  • Your space on the jet will be private, so any conversations can be had in confidence.
  • You have closer access to your destination. Private jets don’t require the runway space that commercial airliners do. That means they are able to land in smaller, executive airports – which may be closer to your destination.

And those are just a few of the benefits. With an empty leg flight, you can be sure to get all of this for the best price possible.

Things to Keep in Mind While Traveling on a Budget

Flying a private jet on an empty leg doesn’t come without the potential for a few frustrations. There are a couple of things you are going to want to keep in mind when traveling on a budget, and choosing to fly private.

  • Empty leg travel can be unpredictable. If you have a strict itinerary and need to get to your destination on a specific day and at a specific time, you may want to consider another method.
  • Empty leg travel is booked at the last minute. For some individuals who like to have things planned in advance, you may want to keep this in mind.
  • Empty leg flights may cancel. If the inbound flight is canceled, then there would be no need for a return empty leg flight. Though it may not be common, it is a definite possibility.
  • The more common the destination, the more likely you will be to gain access to available empty leg flights.

In order to get the most out of your empty leg flight, you are going to have to relinquish a little bit of control. Be honest with yourself and know that you are not likely to fly out on the day and time of your choosing. So as long as you are flexible with your travel, you can reap the financial benefits while focusing on traveling on a budget.

Final Thought…

You can save a lot of money and fly empty leg travel for a wonderful flight experience. But it is important that you don’t get blinded by the affordable empty leg costs that you stop looking at the whole picture.

When booking your last-minute travel, especially when traveling on a budget, be sure you do your research and confirm that the private jet has its certifications and is cleared. While you can put a price on air travel, you cannot put a price on your life. Especially a discounted one. So be smart when booking.

Private jet travel can lead to a great experience. The only thing better is getting a deal on the cost of the flight. For those who can wait to purchase tickets until the last minute, scoring an empty leg ticket could be a great way to get to your destination in style, and travel on a budget. And, with only a minimal dent in your budget.

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Travel Tips

How Can Empty Leg Charter Flights Help You This Winter?

Winter travel can be made much easier this year with the use of empty leg charter flights.

Are you looking to get away this winter? Or, perhaps you didn’t intend to get away, but work is requiring you to hit the friendly skies. Whatever the reason, choosing air travel over any other method can get you there the fastest and make the most efficient use of your time. Right?

Wrong.

You may want to check your other options. When you fly via commercial airliners, you are subjecting yourself to all that comes with them.

This includes:

  • Having to deal with parking and traffic
  • Strategically maneuvering your way through the busy airport
  • Waiting in long lines to get through security
  • Wasting time sitting at the gate because you are requested to be there at least two hours before your flight, and so on

Not to mention that delays are common and finding a great deal last minute is not very likely.

But, don’t fret.

There is another option that can get you there fast – without all the hassle. Consider an empty leg flight to help you with your travels this winter.

 

What Are Empty Leg Charter Flights?

Before we go any further, you are probably wondering what an empty leg flight is. And, no, it doesn’t require you only to have one leg.

Here is how they work:

A private jet is booked to travel from Los Angeles, CA to Salt Lake City, UT. Once it arrives in Salt Lake City, however, it does not have anyone returning to its home base in LA for an upcoming flight to a different location.

So, the jet must travel – empty – back to LA.

This is an empty leg.

If you were in Salt Lake City (or nearby) and you are looking to travel to LA, then you’ve got the perfect opportunity to fly private. This jet is heading there anyway. So, why not make take a passenger (or passengers) for a nominal fee?

It is a win-win for both parties.

 

 

1. You Can Save Time

When it comes to traveling during the winter months, you may find that air travel deals with a lot of delays.

Winter weather at either your departing or arriving region could create an impact that lasts for hours – or even days. While safety is the ultimate concern, it does create a bit of aggravation when you need to be somewhere – or while you are stuck in an airport.

Time is precious and no one wants to waste it waiting. An empty leg flight can save you time in many ways.

  • First, private jets are not impacted by weather delays like commercial airliners are. They may have to wait in a line to take off, but when the all-clear is given, they are golden. Commercial airliners get a backlog of flights that can cause a ripple effect. Even the flights that wouldn’t typically be affected by the delay end up so because of this ripple.
  • Second, flying private is easy. Smaller private or executive airports don’t bring on the traffic that commercial airports do. That means there are few cars and fewer people. A lot fewer. Security lines are nearly non-existent and the need to arrive incredibly early is, too.

 

2. You Can Save Money

If you are looking to save money on a last minute commercial flight, good luck. Even if you do, you will likely be squished in a center seat in the back of the plane – the seat that no one wants.

Sure, of course, it will get you to your destination.

But is it worth it?

Finding empty legs on a private jet is your best way to travel. Not only will you end up getting quite a deal, but you will also get to travel comfortably and in luxury.

What is not to like about that?

Not to mention that after the holiday season, saving money is on usually on the top of everyone’s list – right there next to being comfortable and happy. And, guess what?

Empty leg charter flights can offer you all of that.

 

3. You Can Discover New Places

For all the spontaneous travelers this winter, empty leg charter flights can allow you to discover new places.

Just as you could go to the airport and select a flight that is upcoming and book your ticket, you can also check to see what empty leg flights are available and hop aboard.

  • This is a great opportunity to see new places and increase your fun factor.
  • Its perfect for a weekend getaway or a special treat for someone you love.

For those in northern states who would love to thaw out in a warmer climate for a couple of days or for those in the south who want to head north to see what winter is about, this could be a great opportunity.

Without a specific place in mind – only a direction – you can arrive at your undiscovered destination in style.

 

 

4. They Are More Flexible

Last, but certainly not least, empty leg charter flights are flexible. You have strict requirements on commercial flights.

And, if you are running a few minutes behind, it is doubtful that your plane will wait for you. However, when it comes to private travel, you have a lot more flexibility.

This makes the stress and frustration of travel dissipate. You know that you are your flights only passenger, so it is not likely to leave until you arrive.

It allows you to relax a little bit knowing that a traffic tie-up is not going to lead to hours stuck inside an airport terminal.

 

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. Empty leg charter flights can offer you great help with your travel needs this winter – and anytime throughout the year.

Avoid heavy weather delays, packed airports, and uncomfortable full flights.

Turn your travel needs into a luxurious and relaxing getaway – and save money – with an empty leg.

You will never know how much you will enjoy the experience until you try it.

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Featured Post Travel Tips

Empty Legs, what’s the real story?

My company gets calls every single day asking about empty legs, we do talk about them on our website after all. If you’ve spent time sleuthing the internet for empty legs, or have read articles in the national newspapers on private jet travel, you’ve probably heard about flying private jets for $500, etc., and possibly believe that requesting “empty legs” when flying private will get you just that. If you want to know the “real deal” with empty legs, read on, because I’m going to let it all out!

The original premise of The Early Air Way back in November of 2007 was to sell empty legs, which for the most part were completely unused for anything. I was young and energetic, and believed I could harness empty legs to dramatically reduce the price of chartering a private jet (I thought I’d be selling flights for $1,000.00). At the time, roughly 30% of all private jet charter flights were flying with no people in the back. Now midway through 2012, I can safely say that the idea to build a private jet charter company strictly around the idea of empty legs was a flawed one. Today we use empty legs to save our clients significant sums of money on a daily basis, however offering them for $500.00, $1,000.00, etc. is not how we do that.

You can’t rely on the notion of getting a private jet for $500.00, $1,000.00, etc. I repeat, you can’t rely on the notion of getting a private jet for $500.00, $1,000.00, etc. Frankly, with current aviation technology, you never will be able to, no matter what some interesting articles will lead you to believe. Those articles are published because they’re interesting and catch audiences’ eyes! This, my friends, is the truth. Of course, there are always exceptions, which I will explain.

People will ask… “If the plane has to move, $1,000.00 is better than nothing, right?” Well, on paper this sounds good, but it is not that simple. To understand empty legs, you must first understand the private jet business. Although a multi-billion dollar national industry, the private jet charter industry is still very small and relatively niche. With that in mind, the industry reaches into greater geographic territory than the commercial airlines, offering access to an exponentially larger number of airports, all the while being a fraction of the size while having no fixed schedule. Our cards are spread thin. As a result of this, the empty legs we’re left with are pretty specific to the needs of the client who requested the flight leaving us with each empty leg. In other words, most of those empty legs are for flights that really no one will want, at times most people won’t want. Moving that airplane just a few miles to make the route match the empty leg clients’ requested city pairs immediately costs more in operating expenses than the $1,000.00 price tags people are reading about, the same with overnighting the crew a day to make the dates match, making sending the airplane home empty the more cost effective option.

What I’ve found to be the best use of empty legs is to find a “close match” to our clients’ one-way requests. For example, if a client wants to fly from Memphis, TN to Las Vegas, an empty leg from Jacksonville, FL to Santa Barbara, CA could offer a winning solution. Yes, we will have to pay to reposition the aircraft twice on each end, costing us a few thousand dollars. Yes, we may have to let the plane and crew sit in Florida another night to match the dates to our client’s request, costing us another couple thousand dollars. However, on a longer flight like this, even after the costs mentioned, you will still end up way ahead using an empty leg. The real goal here is to sell you the flight for the base hourly rate of the plane, without charging you for repositioning the aircraft (said costs would be absorbed if the empty leg is long enough). In the end, we’re not left with a jet charter that costs less than a First Class ticket, but we are left with a jet charter that can be as much as 50% less than what some other private jet providers are offering the same trip for.

Finally, those $500.00 / $1,000.00 trips you’ve read about do exist, but they are extremely rare on desirable routes, and you have to be extremely flexible in order to get them. To get those rock bottom below cost deals, the trip will have to be marketed to you, you’ll never find one by simply calling a provider for the flight, the reason for this is that the numbers are too low to solicit human labor to find them for you. Next, they will only be available at the very last minute (night before or day of travel), since by that point there is little chance the legs will be used for revenue flights. Finally, they will be for short flights on small planes, and you’ll never get to alter the flight times or departure/arrival airports simply because an alteration will cost the provider more than the cost of the flight itself. These deeply discounted empty legs should be treated as a thrill to try out a private jet for a small amount of money rather than a means of predictable transportation.

A real deep-discounted empty leg experience will involve a mad-dash to the airport, to fly to a place you may not want to go, and booking last minute commercial tickets to fly home (or renting a car); all fun if you just want to say you flew on a private jet! Longer distance empty legs however can be used to make a one-way trip normally costing $35,000.00 closer to $18,000.00-ish, this is where the real value for the seasoned private jet traveller is.

That, my friends, is the truth about empty legs.

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