How much does an empty leg cost?
An empty leg costs 50 to 75 % less than chartering the same route. On a Paris–Nice in a midsize jet, estimated from €4,000 on ordinary charter, that puts the empty leg between €1,000 and €2,000. The listed price stays indicative until the operator confirms it: it depends on real availability at the moment you call.
Why the discount varies so much
The closer the departure, the lower the operator goes: a sector it will fly empty anyway is worth more sold at 25 % than unsold. Conversely, an empty leg published ten days ahead on a busy corridor rarely sells below half price. The discount measures the seller's urgency, not the quality of the aircraft.
What still has to be paid
The empty-leg price covers the sector itself. Landing fees, ground handling at both ends, catering if you want it, and VAT where applicable are added — as on ordinary charter. On a €3,000 flight those lines weigh proportionally more than on a €20,000 one.
The numbers, route by route
| Route | Category | Passengers | Flight | Estimate (one-way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris → Nice690 km | Light jet | up to 7 | 1h 12 | €3,000–4,000* |
| Paris → Geneva410 km | Light jet | up to 7 | 48 min | €2,000–2,500* |
| Geneva → Courchevel150 km | Light jet | up to 7 | 24 min | €1,000–1,500* |
| London → Nice1,030 km | Midsize jet | up to 9 | 1h 36 | €6,000–7,000* |
Computed estimates: great-circle distance × 1.05, time at manufacturer cruise + 0.3 h taxi, published broker hourly rates (Paramount Business Jets), converted at the ECB rate. The firm price depends on aircraft positioning, fees and date.
* Flight under two hours: most operators bill a two-hour minimum per day of use, so the real price is above the computed estimate.