If you've ever dreamed of flying private but assumed it was out of reach, empty leg flights might change your mind. They're one of the best-kept secrets in aviation — and in New Zealand, they're more accessible than you think.
What is an empty leg flight?
An empty leg — sometimes called a repositioning flight or deadhead leg — is a private charter flight that needs to fly without any paying passengers on board. This happens when an aircraft has been booked for a one-way trip and needs to return to its home base, or reposition to another airport for its next booking.
Rather than fly the aircraft empty, charter operators offer these legs at a significant discount. You get the full private aviation experience — the same aircraft, the same service, the same flexibility — just at a lower price point.
Why do empty legs happen?
Empty legs are a natural part of how charter aviation works. Here are the most common scenarios:
- One-way bookings: A client charters a flight from Auckland to Queenstown but doesn't need the return leg. The aircraft still needs to fly back.
- Repositioning: An operator based in Wellington has a booking departing from Christchurch tomorrow. The aircraft needs to fly to Christchurch empty tonight.
- Crew scheduling: Sometimes aircraft need to return to base for maintenance windows or crew changeovers.
In New Zealand, where distances between major centres are relatively short but commercial options can be limited, empty legs pop up frequently across routes like Auckland–Queenstown, Wellington–Christchurch, and regional connections.
How much can you save?
The savings vary, but empty leg flights are typically offered at 25–75% less than an equivalent full charter. The exact discount depends on factors like:
- Route and distance — longer legs tend to have bigger absolute savings
- Aircraft type — turboprops vs. light jets vs. mid-size jets all have different operating costs
- Timing — how soon the flight departs and how much demand there is
- Flexibility — the more flexible you are with dates and times, the better deals you'll find
For context, a one-way charter from Auckland to Queenstown on a light jet might normally cost $15,000–$20,000. An empty leg on the same route could be available for $5,000–$10,000, depending on the operator and circumstances.
What's the catch?
Empty legs do come with some trade-offs that are worth understanding:
Fixed schedules: Unlike a full charter where you set the departure time, empty legs fly on the operator's schedule. The date, time, and route are already set.
Cancellation risk: If the original charter booking that created the empty leg gets cancelled, the empty leg disappears too. This means plans can change at short notice.
Limited availability: Empty legs are inherently unpredictable. They appear when bookings create them and vanish when they're filled. You can't plan months ahead for a specific empty leg.
Route restrictions: You're flying from A to B as defined by the operator's needs, not your ideal itinerary. That said, some operators may allow minor route adjustments.
Who are empty legs perfect for?
Empty legs suit travellers who are:
- Flexible with dates — you can travel when the flight is available, not just when you want
- Comfortable with short notice — many empty legs are listed days or even hours before departure
- Travelling popular routes — routes like Auckland–Queenstown see frequent empty legs
- Groups splitting costs — a family or group of friends sharing a $6,000 empty leg makes it remarkably affordable per person
How to find empty legs in New Zealand
Historically, finding empty legs in New Zealand meant calling around to individual charter operators, checking their websites, or being on an operator's private mailing list. It was fragmented and time-consuming.
BetterJet changes that by aggregating empty leg flights from charter operators across New Zealand into a single place. Instead of checking multiple websites, you can see all available empty legs on one page, compare prices and routes, and set up alerts for routes you're interested in.
Here's how to get started:
- Browse current flights — check the BetterJet homepage to see what's available right now
- Set up alerts — subscribe to email alerts for your preferred routes so you're notified the moment a new empty leg is listed
- Be ready to move — the best empty legs go quickly, so when you see one that works, don't hesitate
The bottom line
Empty leg flights are a genuine way to experience private aviation without the full charter price tag. They require flexibility and a willingness to move quickly, but for the right traveller, they unlock an experience that's hard to beat.
In New Zealand's compact geography, where a 90-minute flight can take you from city to ski field or from the capital to wine country, empty legs make private flying surprisingly practical — and surprisingly affordable.