The cheapest way to fly private

1. Fly an empty leg

Every one way charter leaves an aircraft somewhere it does not need to be. The operator flies it home or to the next client anyway, and sells that leg for 40% to 60% of the full price. The catch is that the date, the time and the direction are fixed by the aircraft, not by you.

Milan Linate to London Farnborough, full charter, one way. Atljet model, November 2026. Indicative ranges; the desk confirms aircraft, operator and final price.

• Live empty legsThe legs flying now, updated through the day.→
• Empty leg flights in EuropeThe corridors where they appear most.→

2. Choose the smallest comfortable class

The price is per aircraft, not per seat. Divided by the seats on board, a bigger jet can cost less per person than a small one. On Milan to London, one way:

For two or three travellers on a flight under two hours a very light or light jet is the cheapest answer. For a group of eight, a midsize or super midsize jet often costs less per person and adds a proper cabin.

3. Keep the hour flexible

A window of a few hours lets the desk pick an aircraft that is already near you or already flying your way, so the positioning share shrinks. Mid week and outside peak hours there are more aircraft free, and the same trip often comes back cheaper.

What not to save on

The cheapest quote is not always the best one. Ask who operates the aircraft and under which air operator certificate, check that the price includes airport costs, and get the tail number before you pay. An honest low price has an aircraft behind it.

• How to choose a private jet charter companyThe checks that matter.→
• How much does a private jet cost?The short answer and a real trip priced.→