How to get back after an empty leg
Updated 3 October 2026
Empty legs are one-way. Before you book one, decide how you’ll get home — or how flexible you can be about it.
Your options for the return
- Another empty leg. The cheapest if it turns up. Set a route alert for the return route with nearby airports included, and leave a few days of flexibility.
- A one-way charter. The most certain. Request the return with your dates and we’ll quote it.
- Share a flight. Tick “open to sharing” when you request the return, and we’ll look for other flyers on a similar route to split the cost, without ever sharing names or contacts.
- A scheduled flight, if timing matters more than travelling private.
How to plan it
- If you must be home on a given date, book the return as a charter or a flexible airline ticket first, then use empty legs for the outbound.
- If you’re flexible, set alerts on both directions and request whichever comes first.
- Tell us both legs when you request — sometimes the same operator can offer a better combined price.
Questions
Can I book a return on the same aircraft?
Sometimes. The aircraft usually has another trip planned, but the operator may offer a return at a charter price. Ask us when you request the leg.
How do I find an empty leg home?
Set a route alert for the return route, with nearby airports included, and we’ll email you when one is listed. Most empty legs appear a day or two before departure.
Is a one-way charter much more expensive than an empty leg?
Usually more, because you pay for the aircraft to fly to you. It’s the most certain option for a fixed return date.
Jettura arranges flights as booking agent. Every flight is operated by a licensed air operator that holds operational control of the aircraft. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice; your booking terms are what apply to your flight.