An empty leg, also called a deadhead flight, occurs when a charter aircraft needs to reposition after dropping off passengers or before picking them up. The operator needs the aircraft to move regardless, so the seat cost on that leg is substantially lower than a standard charter. For flexible travelers, empty legs offer a way to fly private at a reduced rate when the routing and timing happen to align.
Empty Legs on Swiss Routes
Switzerland generates a consistent flow of empty-leg availability, particularly around peak periods: World Economic Forum in Davos, Art Basel in Basel, ski season arrivals and departures, and the summer festival circuit. The tradeoff is that routing is fixed and timing is set by the operator’s schedule. If your dates and destination align with an available empty leg, the savings can be significant.
Availability changes constantly and empty legs cannot be held. Contact an advisor with your travel window and preferred routing and we will alert you when relevant options appear.