Flying private does not always mean paying for the whole aircraft at full price. The main ways to lower the cost are empty legs, shared charters, selling your unused seats, and buying a seat on a scheduled private flight instead of chartering the aircraft. Each one trades some flexibility for a lower price. This guide explains how they work and how to book them.
What Are Discount Private Jet Flights?
A discount private jet flight is any way of flying private for less than the cost of a standard one-off charter. The savings come from how private aviation works: aircraft move around to meet bookings, seats go unfilled, and some routes fly often enough to be sold by the seat. For the baseline you are comparing against, see private jet charter cost.
The common types are:
- Empty legs: an aircraft has to fly without passengers to pick up its next client or return to base, and that flight is offered at a lower price.
- Shared charters: several travelers split the cost of one aircraft on the same flight.
- Crowdsourced seats: you charter a flight and the unused seats are sold to other travelers.
- Scheduled by-the-seat flights: you buy one seat on a regularly scheduled private flight.
Empty Legs vs. Dead Legs vs. Ferry Flights: What's the Difference?
Empty legs, dead legs and empty sectors all describe the same situation: an aircraft flying from one place to another with no paying passengers on board. Ferry flights are similar, but the aircraft is usually moving to a maintenance facility or a new base. The terms vary by company. The trade-off is always the same: the route and departure time are set by the aircraft's schedule, not yours. For a deeper look, see empty leg flights.
How Aircraft Repositioning Creates Discounted Seats
Say a jet flies a client one way from New York to Miami. It now has to get back, or on to its next job. Flying empty earns nothing, so the operator would rather sell that flight at a lower price than fly it with no one aboard. That is why empty-leg prices can be negotiable, and why they can disappear if the original booking changes.
How Much Can You Save on a Discounted Private Jet Flight?
Savings depend on the discount type, the route, the size of the aircraft and how flexible you are. Larger aircraft cost more to fly, so the same percentage discount is worth more in dollars on a large-cabin jet such as a Gulfstream G650 than on a light jet. Compare any offer against a standard charter quote for the same route and aircraft, and read what is included, such as taxes, fees and catering.
| Discount type | What you give up | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Empty leg | Choice of time, route and aircraft | Flexible one-way travelers |
| Shared charter | A private cabin | Solo travelers and couples |
| Crowdsourced seats | Flexibility after booking | Groups that charter and have spare seats |
| By-the-seat flight | Choice of time | Travelers on a scheduled route |
Ways to book with BLADE
BLADE arranges several lower-cost ways to fly private:
- Scheduled by-the-seat flights. BLADE sells individual seats on scheduled flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark (about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat) and between Manhattan and Westchester (about 12 minutes, from $225 per seat).
- Seat packs and passes. On the Westchester route, a 10 Seat Pack brings the price to $175 per seat and a 5 Seat Pack to $195 per seat. Annual and Monthly Passes cover flights at $125 per seat.
- BLADEone. For the November 2026 to May 2027 season, BLADEone offers flights on a 16-seat jet between Westchester and Miami or Palm Beach. Seat packs start from $2,300 per seat.
- Shared charters. On Hamptons routes, BLADE offers shared charters alongside scheduled by-the-seat flights and private charters.
- Crowdsourcing. If you charter a flight with BLADE, BLADE can sell your unused seats in the BLADE app. Seats that sell are credited back to you as BLADE credits for future flights. Crowdsourced flights must leave at the scheduled time, because other passengers are flying with you.
All flights BLADE arranges in the United States are operated by FAA-licensed carriers.
Operator Websites and Direct Booking
Whether you book with an operator or through a charter broker, ask who will operate the flight. US rules for air charter brokers require them to disclose, before you sign, the carrier that has operational control of the aircraft and the capacity in which the broker is acting. For aircraft rental and charter pricing in general, see plane rental cost.
How to Book a Discount Private Jet Flight Step by Step
- Set a window, not a time. Give yourself a range of departure days, and list two or three airports you could fly from.
- Set up alerts for empty legs on your usual routes.
- Check the aircraft before you confirm. Confirm the type, the seating for your group and the luggage space.
- Accept the fixed schedule. On an empty leg, the departure time and route follow the aircraft's plan.
- Read the cancellation terms. An empty leg can be cancelled if the original booking changes.
Setting Up Alerts for Empty Leg Availability
Save your most frequent routes and use broad filters, such as a region rather than a single airport. Broader searches turn up more matches.
Negotiating Last-Minute Deals with Operators
Close to departure, an operator would usually rather fill an empty leg than fly it empty. That gives a flexible traveler room to ask for a better price.
Is a Corporate Membership Worth It for Discounted Flying?
Memberships, jet cards and subscriptions make sense if you fly often. They usually trade an upfront payment or annual fee for set rates and easier booking. If you fly only a few times a year, empty legs, shared charters or by-the-seat flights may cost less. Compare options in private jet club membership.
Tips to Maximise Your Chances of Scoring a Deal
- Book each direction as a separate one-way trip, so you can use empty legs on both legs.
- Stay open to nearby airports. Repositioning flights often start from secondary airports.
- Fly midweek or outside peak holiday periods.
- Consider a shared charter or a by-the-seat flight when no empty leg matches your route.
- If you charter and have spare seats, crowdsource them to recover part of the cost.
Can I Choose My Aircraft on an Empty Leg Flight?
Rarely. You book the aircraft that is already flying the route. The aircraft type is listed when you book, so check its seating and luggage space against your group.
What Happens If My Empty Leg Flight Is Cancelled?
If the original booking changes, the operator can cancel the empty leg, sometimes with little notice. Have a backup plan, consider travel insurance, and read the cancellation policy before you confirm.