Private jet travel has long been associated with convenience, comfort, and exclusivity. For many travelers, however, the assumption is that chartering a private aircraft is simply out of reach. But in recent years, one opportunity is making private air travel more accessible than ever: empty leg flights. These unique travel segments offer a highly discounted way to experience private aviation while still enjoying the same elevated service, privacy, and efficiency.
At Odyssey Airways, we believe private travel should be not only luxurious, but also smart, time-saving, and attainable for more people than traditional pricing might suggest. Empty leg flights play a key role in that mission. They provide travelers with the chance to experience exceptional comfort at a fraction of typical private jet costs. To help you take full advantage of these opportunities, here’s a detailed look at what empty leg flights are, why they offer such great value and how to secure them for your next trip.
What Is an Empty Leg Flight?
The term “empty leg” may be unfamiliar to those outside the world of private aviation, but the concept is surprisingly simple. When a chartered private jet completes a scheduled flight, it often needs to reposition to a different airport for its next customer. The aircraft may also need to return to its home base, travel to a maintenance facility, or move in preparation for a future booking. When the aircraft makes one of these trips without passengers, that segment is considered an empty leg.
Rather than letting these flights operate without travelers, private jet operators offer them to customers at significantly reduced prices. Because the aircraft is already scheduled to fly that route, whether or not passengers are on board, the cost to operate the repositioning flight has largely been accounted for. This enables operators like Odyssey Airways to extend deeply discounted rates on what is essentially a “bonus” travel opportunity for anyone who can match their schedule and routing.
At their core, empty leg flights allow travelers to experience the efficiency and luxury of private aviation without the full cost of a traditional charter. They feature the exact same level of safety, service, and comfort that Odyssey Airways is known for, only at a fraction of the price.
Why Private Jet Empty Leg Flights Are Worth Considering
Empty leg flights offer a variety of benefits that make them appealing to all types of travelers from business professionals to families, couples, and small groups.
Significant Cost Savings
The most compelling advantage is price. Since the aircraft is committed to the flight whether it carries passengers or not, empty leg flights often cost 50 to 75 percent less than a normal charter. In some cases, the discounts can be even steeper. For short routes, such as Tampa to Miami or Tampa to the Bahamas, the savings can place the cost of a private trip surprisingly close to commercial first-class fares when shared among multiple travelers.
Private Jet Comfort Without the Premium Price
Private jet empty leg flights deliver all the premium touches of private aviation: quiet cabins, spacious seating, dedicated service, and the freedom to travel exclusively with your group. For travelers who have never flown private before, empty-leg opportunities offer an excellent introduction to the experience.
Time Efficiency and Convenience
Travelers choosing an empty leg flight still enjoy the hallmark benefits of private aviation: minimal time spent on the ground, no waiting in security lines, fast boarding, and the ability to arrive at the airport closer to departure time. For business travelers, these advantages translate into more productivity. For leisure travelers, they create a smoother, more enjoyable start to any getaway.
Ideal for Spontaneous Travelers
Empty leg flights frequently become available on short notice. For those with flexible schedules, whether traveling for weekend escapes, sudden business needs, or last-minute family plans, these opportunities allow for spontaneous adventures while still benefiting from the luxury of private travel.
Great for Groups
Because private flight pricing is based on the aircraft, not the number of seats, empty legs present an especially cost-effective option for couples or small groups. When shared among multiple people, the per-person cost can rival commercial airfare, but with exponentially more comfort and convenience.
Why Early 2026 Is an Ideal Time to Book Empty Leg Charter Flights
Travel patterns in January and February 2026 are creating an exceptional environment for empty leg availability. Several seasonal dynamics combine to make these months stand out.
Decline in Early-Year Business Travel
After the busy holiday period, many corporations reduce travel at the start of Q1. With fewer full-price charter bookings and more repositioning requirements, operators often see an increase in empty leg routes during these months.
Higher Volume of Repositioning Flights to Warm Destinations
Early in the year, travelers from colder regions flock to warm winter destinations especially Florida, the Keys, and the Caribbean, all areas well served by Odyssey Airways. Jets frequently reposition between these regions and northern states, generating many one-way travel opportunities that become discounted empty legs.
Seasonal Events That Influence Aircraft Movement
January and February are rich with events that drive heavy private travel: golf tournaments, art shows, yacht events, equestrian competitions, destination weddings, and luxury retreats. These create irregular aircraft movements that often result in additional empty legs.
Operational and Maintenance Positioning
Many private aircraft undergo scheduled maintenance in early Q1, requiring travel to maintenance bases or back to operational hubs. These movements create additional empty leg opportunities across a variety of routes.
Taken together, these factors make early 2026 one of the most advantageous times of year to find private jet empty leg flights, with options that can change daily based on client activity, seasonal trends, and aircraft logistics.
How Much Can You Save with Empty Leg Flights?
The savings available through empty leg charter flights vary based on factors such as aircraft type, route, and timing. However, discounts of 50 to 75 percent compared to standard charters are common.
A full charter that might normally cost $15,000 to $25,000 can sometimes be booked as an empty leg for a fraction of the price. For families or groups traveling together, the ability to split the cost of the entire aircraft makes these opportunities even more attractive. In some cases, the per-person cost can match or even beat first-class commercial airfare especially on popular routes between Florida and the East Coast.
This combination of luxury, efficiency, and savings makes empty leg flights one of the smartest ways to experience private aviation.
Understanding the Trade-Offs
While empty leg flights offer exceptional value, they come with a few key considerations. Because these flights are tied to repositioning needs, travelers must be comfortable with a bit less flexibility compared to full charters.
Fixed or Limited Departure Times
Empty legs typically operate on fixed schedules based on the needs of the primary charter. Travelers usually cannot adjust the departure time significantly. Those with flexible schedules will benefit most.
Possibility of Schedule Change
If the original charter changes or cancels, the empty leg may shift as well. While this is not common, it is something travelers should be aware of especially when booking around tight schedules.
Limited Routing Options
Empty legs depend entirely on where the aircraft needs to go. Because of this, they are ideal for travelers who can adapt their plans to available opportunities rather than requiring a specific route. The exceptional savings and private travel experience make empty legs a compelling choice for many travelers.
How to Book Empty Leg Flights with Odyssey Airways
Odyssey Airways makes it simple for travelers to find and take advantage of available empty leg opportunities.
The easiest way to stay informed is to subscribe to Odyssey Airways’ empty leg notifications. These alerts provide up-to-date information on available flights, including departure windows, routing, aircraft type, and pricing. Subscribers are often the first to know when a high-demand opportunity becomes available.
Odyssey Airways regularly updates its list of available empty legs. Because the schedule is dynamic, new options may appear with little notice making frequent checks worthwhile for travelers with flexible plans.
If you have specific destinations or dates in mind, reaching out to the Odyssey Airways charter team can help you navigate upcoming opportunities. The team can offer insights into typical routes, anticipated empty legs, and options that align with your goals.
Empty leg flights are usually first-come, first-served. Having flexible dates, being prepared to book quickly, and staying connected through alerts greatly increase your chances of securing the perfect opportunity.
Make Private Jet Travel Smarter in 2026
Empty leg flights offer a unique blend of luxury, convenience, and exceptional value making them one of the smartest travel choices available in early 2026. With increased repositioning flights, lighter corporate travel, and high winter demand for warm-weather destinations, now is an ideal time to explore how empty leg charter flights can elevate your travel experience.
