Private jets make 'empty leg' flights that can be much cheaper than regular trips that anyone can take advantage of

There’s an ongoing attempt to democratize business class and also private jets with empty-leg flights.

It’s commendable, and there are a few ifs and buts, but in theory these ideas are working.

As boutique airlines struggle to stay afloat, people are turning to what are known as ’empty-leg’ flights.

But there are a few things to remember.

How ’empty-leg’ flights work

Most rich people don’t own jets but they charter them regularly.

But the thing is, when you charter a jet, you charter a specific type of aircraft for a specific route – which means you won’t necessarily use the exact same jet on your way home.

All aircraft need an airport that can be used as a maintenance base, so, unless otherwise specified, private jets will have to fly back home with or without people on board.

As aviation expert Robert Cullemore once told Supercar Blondie, ‘presence of a maintenance base at a particular airport’ is a always key factor.

“Planes require constant upkeep, and often they undertake this work at airports outside of their main bases of operation,” he explained.

So if the jet you used has Burbank airport as its ‘home’ base, then it’ll have to fly back anyway.

This leads us to the empty leg of the journey, the part of the trip with no one on board.

Why empty-leg flights on private jets can be inexpensive

Flying private is very, very expensive.

You’re looking at thousands and thousands of dollars for every hour you’re in the air.

And that’s just for minute aircraft, because if you want one of those fancy Embraers or Gulfstreams that people like Cristiano Ronaldo use, then the cost goes up to six figures per hour.

But that’s on your way there.

On the way back, the company will have to pay for fuel, relevant taxes, and the crew regardless of who’s on board.

For that reason, empty-leg fares can sometimes be less expensive because the companies are just trying to cover the costs.

By being a little strategic about it and sharing the costs with friends traveling with you, you can theoretically bring the cost down to $1,000 or even less per person, per flight.

It isn’t cheap, but it’s attainable.

Very few people can afford to pay tens of thousands of dollars to fly private.

But some people with a normal salary can afford to pay $1,000 for an empty-leg flight.

They certainly can’t do it every month, but, as a one-off, once-in-a-lifetime experience – it’s doable.

Estimated one-way charter costs by route

• Paris to London (~1 hour flight) – $6,500-$9,500 (light jet/turboprop), $12,500-$24,000 (midsize/heavy jet)

• London to Istanbul (~3.5 to 4 hours flight) – $21,000-$24,000 (light/super light jet), $29,000-$41,000 (midsize/heavy jet)

• New York-Los Angeles (~5.5 to 6 hours flight) – $32,000-$36,000 (super midsize jet), $44,000-$55,000 (heavy/ultra-long-range-jet)

• London-Dubai (~7 hours flight) – $40,000-$45,000 (super midsize jet), $50,000-$65,000 (heavy/ultra-long-range-jet)

• London-New York (~7.5 to 8 hours flight) – $75,000-$85,000 (heavy jet), $95,000-$130,000 (ultra-long-range jet/VIP airliner, like Boeing BBJ, for example)

• New York-Honolulu (~11 hours flight) – $115,000-$125,000 (non-stop ultra-long-range jet)

Empty-leg flights on these routes typically offer a 50%-60% savings on full charter pricing, subject to route timing and aircraft availability.