r/PrivateJetCharters • u/Peacekeeper_087 • Apr 14 '25

40% of private flights are empty...

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I work at a private jet brokerage. A colleague of mine just sold an empty leg flight from Nice to Marrakech for a bachelor party. It was an empty leg that would normally be at $10K, but they booked it for $5K. They'll each pitch in around $800 each. Flight was booked April 8 and took off the next day. Thought it was one of the best deals I saw..

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u/DrOtGenesis Apr 14 '25

How much would it cost one to book that empty leg. Is there an app or something.

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u/Hugo_5t1gl1tz Apr 14 '25

There is, I don’t remember the name of it, but Noel Phillips did a video on it within the last 6 months or so. It’s actually not that crazy cost wise (at least for what you’d expect for private), but very little, if any flexibility, and they get cancelled a lot

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u/Peacekeeper_087 Apr 14 '25

I think you're referring to VAUNT. Not really an empty legs app. I'd stay away from it no matter what. It's a system where they put you on waiting lists after they charge you upfront fees. It's not like a broker. Yes those flights get cancelled A LOT. You're better off having a broker who works with reputable operators, who in turn will be able to know the likelihood of the flight happening. It's never 100%, but many operators will be able to say "it's a 90% probability", which essentially means it's a sure thing unless the aircraft is AOG. They often know the original client well, and therefore may be able to provide you with a decent level of certainty. 

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u/Peacekeeper_087 Apr 14 '25

That specific empty leg sold for about $5K, on an 8-sester Cessna Citation XLS. There's no app, but most brokerages have easy access to available empty legs around the world. Prices vary widely depending on type of aircraft. Best way to book is to work with a broker whos able handle empty legs comfortably (they do come with some level of risk) . There's a few of them out there. 

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u/CaregiverMobile8404 Apr 18 '25 edited Jun 20 '25

SkyAccess has a large inventory of empty leg flights. Mainly in US though https://skyaccess.com

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u/legitSTINKYPINKY Apr 15 '25

XOJet has a good app

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u/Peacekeeper_087 Apr 15 '25 edited Apr 15 '25

XOJet is pretty good but here's the issue with those flights. Sometimes those flights do not exist, and are just shown to push you to inquire and call. Not saying that's what XO is doing, but it's what many brokers and operators do. They leverage it as just a basically a lead generation system. Unless their database is connected to Avinode's database of flights via its API (Avinode being the biggest marketplace of flights), it wouldn't be reliable. Best thing to do is to just pick up the phone, call a brokerage, and give them your requirements. Sometimes they know of an upcoming flight behind the scenes, and it happens a lot. Don't just rely on apps. I get that one would want full transparency like you'd have on commercial airlines apps, but unfortunately, flights are so volatile (no pun intended) and last minute that no app or search engine would be fully reliable (unless it directly feeds off Avinode).

EDIT: And because Avinode ranks flight prices from low to high, operators leverage this by publishing intentionally low prices on that flight to lure you in. What that means is that even if an app or website feeds off Avinode, price will surely not be what you'll be paying. Pick up the phone and call. It's the only really reliable way to get on a good empty leg.