Private aviation offers more flexibility than most travelers realize, but the terminology can be confusing. Two terms you'll often hear are "empty leg" and "full charter." While both involve flying on a private aircraft, the way they're booked, priced, and scheduled can look very different. Understanding these differences can help you decide which option makes the most sense for your next trip.
What Is a Full Charter?
A full charter is the traditional way most people think of booking a private flight. You choose your departure airport, your destination, and your preferred date and time, and a Part 135 certified operator arranges an aircraft to fly that specific route on your schedule. Because the flight is custom-built around your needs, you have full control over timing, routing, and aircraft type, subject to what's available through the operator's fleet.
This flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of full charter. If your meeting runs late or your plans change, you may have more room to adjust than you would with a commercial flight. Full charter also allows you to fly into smaller regional airports that aren't served by commercial airlines, which can save time getting to your final destination.
What Is an Empty Leg Flight?
An empty leg, sometimes called a "deadhead" flight, happens when a private aircraft needs to reposition after dropping off passengers, or before picking up passengers for another scheduled trip. Instead of flying that leg empty, the operator may offer it to other travelers heading in the same direction, around the same time.
Because the aircraft is already going to make that flight regardless of whether a paying passenger is on board, empty leg flights can sometimes be offered at a more attractive rate than a full charter booked from scratch. However, empty legs come with less flexibility. The route, date, and time are already set by the original booking, so these flights work best for travelers who have some flexibility in their own schedule and can adapt to the available routing.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Scheduling control: Full charter is built around your schedule; empty legs are built around an existing flight that's already happening.
- Flexibility: Full charter offers more flexibility in routing and timing. Empty legs are fixed to a specific date, time, and route.
- Availability: Full charter can generally be arranged for most routes where a suitable aircraft is available. Empty legs depend on what repositioning flights happen to be occurring.
- Planning window: Full charter can typically be booked further in advance. Empty legs are often identified closer to the actual flight date, since they depend on the operator's existing schedule.
Aircraft Options for Either Type of Flight
Whether you're booking a full charter or exploring an empty leg, the type of aircraft available will depend on the route, the number of passengers, and what the operator network has available at the time. Through its network of Part 135 certified operators, Sky500 can help connect travelers with a range of aircraft types, from turboprops and light jets to larger cabin aircraft. Depending on the operator and route, options may include aircraft such as the Beechcraft King Air series, Bombardier Challenger series, Airbus ACJ319 and ACJ320, and even larger aircraft like the Boeing 737 BBJ or Boeing 747 for certain trips. Helicopters, such as the Airbus Helicopters H145 or Bell 407, may also be available for shorter regional transfers depending on the operator and location.
It's worth noting that aircraft availability varies by route, date, and operator, so the specific aircraft type for any given trip, whether empty leg or full charter, will depend on what's actually available at the time of booking.
Which Option Is Right for You?
If your travel dates are fixed and you need a specific route on a specific day, a full charter booking gives you the most control. You can work with an operator to tailor the trip to your itinerary.
If you have some flexibility in your schedule and are open to adjusting your plans around an existing flight, keeping an eye on empty leg opportunities can be a smart way to experience private aviation. Because empty legs are tied to another passenger's original itinerary, they tend to come up at different times for different routes, so availability will vary.
How Sky500 Fits In
Sky500.com is an online travel service that connects travelers with a network of certified Part 135 charter operators, including access to discounted empty leg flights as well as full charter arrangements. It's important to understand that Sky500 itself does not own, operate, or maintain aircraft, and is not an air carrier or Part 135 operator. Instead, Sky500 acts as a resource to help travelers explore options across its operator network, whether they're looking for the flexibility of a full charter or the potential savings of an empty leg.
There is no membership fee to use Sky500, making it easy to explore what's available for your travel dates and routes. If you're weighing the differences between empty legs and full charter and want to talk through your options, you can reach Sky500 at 818-769-3535.
Final Thoughts
Both empty legs and full charter flights offer meaningful advantages depending on your travel style. Full charter gives you control and flexibility, while empty legs can be a great option for travelers who can adapt their plans to an existing flight schedule. By understanding how each option works, you'll be better equipped to decide which type of private flight fits your next trip.
