Empty Legs · 7 min read
How to Book an Empty Leg Flight
Booking an empty leg runs in six stages: find the sector on a live marketplace, submit an enquiry, wait for the operator to re-confirm that the repositioning is still planned and available, receive a firm quotation, sign the charter contract and pay, then fly. A listing is never a reservation until the operator has confirmed and the contract is in place.
Updated 15/08/2026
Key Facts
- Stages
- Search → enquiry → confirmation → quote → contract → flight
- Typical response
- Same day; often within hours
- Binding point
- Signed charter agreement, not the listing
- Operator
- Fully vetted AOC holder; SkyBridge is the broker
1. Find the sector
Search the live marketplace by route, date window, passenger count or aircraft category. Note the sector reference, the published price or price-on-request status, and how far the departure is from where you actually need to leave.
2. Submit an enquiry
Send passenger numbers, luggage, any pets or special handling, preferred departure window and a contact number that will be answered. Incomplete enquiries slow the operator's response, and in a market measured in hours that is the difference between flying and not.
3. Operator re-confirmation
This is the stage that surprises first-time empty-leg buyers. Before anything is quoted, the operator re-checks that the repositioning is still scheduled, that the aircraft has not been reassigned, that crew duty allows the timing you want and that slots and handling are obtainable.
Sectors do fall away here. It is not a sales tactic — it is the consequence of buying a flight created by somebody else's booking.
4. Firm quotation
The quotation confirms the aircraft, the operator, the exact routing and timing, and the all-in price including handling, landing, taxes and any catering. Compare it against the listing: if the price has moved, ask why, and expect a straight answer about positioning, slots or fees.
5. Contract and payment
You sign a charter agreement — with the operator or with the broker acting as arranger — which sets out cancellation terms, aircraft substitution rights and what happens if the parent charter changes. Payment is normally required in full before departure. Read the cancellation clause carefully; empty-leg terms are usually tighter than ad-hoc charter.
6. Flight day
You arrive at the private terminal shortly before departure, security and documentation are handled there, and you board directly. Keep the flexibility you agreed to: empty-leg departure times can still shift if the parent charter moves.
What can still change after booking
- The parent charter reschedules or cancels, moving or removing your sector.
- Aircraft substitution, which is more common than on ad-hoc charter.
- Slot or handling constraints at busy airports adjusting the departure window.
- Weather and crew duty limits, exactly as on any charter flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an empty leg listing a confirmed booking?
No. A listing is an opportunity to request that sector. It becomes a booking only once the operator has re-confirmed availability, a firm quotation has been issued and the charter contract is signed.
How long does it take to book an empty leg?
Enquiry to firm quotation is usually the same day and frequently within a few hours. Short-notice sectors can be contracted and flown inside 24 hours where permits and handling allow.
Can I pay for an empty leg by card?
Payment methods depend on the operator and the value of the sector; bank transfer is the most common, with card accepted in many cases. Payment is normally settled in full before departure.
What happens if my empty leg is cancelled?
If the parent charter moves or cancels, the repositioning sector moves or disappears with it. Your contract sets out the refund position, and we would look for an alternative sector or quote ad-hoc charter as a fallback.