Introduction

Inbusiness aviation, the same question comes up again and again, even among the most seasoned travelers: is there really an ideal time to book a private jet flight at the best rate?

The answer is more nuanced than in commercial aviation. A private jet flight is not sold according to an automated yield management system. Fares are based on very concrete operational factors: actual availability of AOC-certified aircraft, scheduling constraints, weather, repositioning requirements, airport saturation and seasonality.

At AEROAFFAIRES, we observe the same reality every day: for an identical journey, the price can vary by a factor of one to six, depending on when the request is made. Not because of an algorithm, but because the organization of the fleet and crews is constantly evolving.

This article is based on :
– the real-life operation of business aviation companies
– the mechanics of repositioning
– the dynamics of empty legacies
– observations from thousands of operated flights
– the expertise ofAEROAFFAIRES, active in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

When is the best time to book a private flight at the best fare?

Q: Is it true that booking early almost always results in a better fare?

In most cases, yes. Early booking gives you access to more aircraft, avoids unnecessary repositioning and enables you to obtain the best airport slots. Operators can integrate your flight into an existing schedule, reducing the cost of crew nights or second shifts. The further out the date, the easier the optimization and the more consistent the rate.

Q: What is an empty leg and why is it often cheaper?

An empty leg is a flight where the aircraft has to reposition itself without passengers after a mission. As this flight would take place no matter what, the operator usually accepts a much reduced fare to offset some of the costs. Discounts can range from 30 to 70%. However, an empty leg depends entirely on the main flight and can be brought forward, changed or cancelled.

Q: How can I tell if an offer is a real empty leg or just a sales promotion?

A true empty leg always comprises four elements: a clearly identified aircraft, an AOC-certified operator, an estimated date and time, and a precise route corresponding to an actual repositioning. If the offer implies that the destination is flexible or that the schedule can be freely chosen, it is not an empty leg but a classic commercial offer in disguise.

Q: Why does the choice of airport have such an impact on the price of a flight?

The choice of airport affects the slots available, the cost of aircraft parking, the length of the runway and accessibility depending on the weather. Some airports, such as Nice, Olbia, Ibiza or Courchevel, become very restricted in season, reducing options and increasing costs. Conversely, accepting a departure or arrival at an alternative airport can eliminate a repositioning altogether.

Q: How far in advance should I book for a major event (festival, trade show, congress)?

As soon as the date is known. For busy events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Art Basel or major international conferences, slots and parking capacity fill up fast. Booking early means you get the best possible time, a confirmed parking space and a wider choice of aircraft. At the last minute, even the availability of an aircraft does not guarantee access to the platform.

Q: What are the best practical ways to reduce the cost of a private jet flight?

The three most effective levers are: time flexibility of one to two hours, the possibility of using several nearby airports, and early booking for saturated destinations. Then there's the active monitoring of compatible empty legacies. These are the elements that enable the broker to reduce or eliminate repositioning, which is the main source of real savings.

Three principles guide our pricing logic:

The best price appears when an aircraft is already positioned on your trajectory.
The earlier you book, the more options you have.
Even slight time flexibility can optimize the mission.

Why do private jet prices vary so much?

The real hourly cost of a private jet

Every aircraft has a direct operator cost (fuel, maintenance, crew, insurance). Some market benchmarks :
– Turboprop: €5,000 to €8,000 per hour.
– Intermediate private jet: €9,000 to €12,000 per hour.
– Long-haul: €30,000 per hour.

Cost may vary according to date, number of passengers and aircraft availability.

Repositioning

If the aircraft is not already at your departure airport, repositioning is necessary. This is one of the main factors driving up the price. Conversely, if the aircraft is already on site, the fare will be much lower.

Crew limitations (EASA)

Crews are subject to maximum duty periods. This affects :
– night flights
– rest periods
– the possible need for a second crew

Early booking enables airlines to organize their schedules more efficiently.

Airport saturation

Olbia, Ibiza, Mykonos, Cannes, Nice, Courchevel, Geneva: these are all airports where slots and parking spaces are scarce. The later the demand, the greater the constraints.

Book your private flight early: the best way to get the best possible fare

More aircraft available

When the request is made early, the broker can consult more AOC operators. Competition then naturally works in favor of a stabilized fare.

Fewer repositionings

By anticipating, a flight can be integrated into an existing rotation, reducing the number of empty runs.

Better airport slots

At saturated airports such as Nice, Linate, Berne, Ibiza, Olbia or Santorini, early booking enables you to obtain :
– daylight departures
– a parking space
– standard handling

Smoothing out the price thanks to mission chaining

An aircraft can carry out several consecutive missions. When a flight is part of such a sequence, the fare offered becomes more competitive.

Booking late can also be advantageous (but not systematically)

When the aircraft returns empty

This is the typical case of the empty leg.

When the operator wants to avoid costly parking

At some airports, the price of parking may encourage an operator to accept a mission at an optimized rate.

When the weather blocks a region

In the Alps or in the UK, temporarily immobilized aircraft can generate opportunities as soon as conditions improve.

In low season

Côte d’Azur out of summer, Ibiza out of season, Courchevel out of school vacations: less pressure on the fleet, sometimes more flexible rates.

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Hawker 400 XP

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Empty legs: the best way to get a very low fare

Never a scheduled flight

An empty leg depends on a main one-way mission. It can be modified or cancelled if the original customer changes his schedule.

Significant discounts

Discounts are often between 30 and 70%.

A reliable empty leg requires a good broker who

AEROAFFAIRES checks :
– the schedule
– the machine
– AOC
– operational risks
– flexibility margins

How to recognize a true empty leg?

A true empty leg includes :
– an identified device
– a certified operator
– a date
– an actual repositioning route

A “destination flexible” offer is not an empty leg.

Best times to book according to season

Spring

Weekends in high demand. Early booking recommended.
Weekdays: late booking opportunities.

Summer

Most saturated period.
Booking recommended: 3 to 6 weeks in advance.
Empty legacies frequent but very volatile.

Autumn

More stable rates.
Last-minute bookings sometimes more feasible.

Winter

Conferences, end-of-year parties, ski resorts.
Early booking imperative for Courchevel, Gstaad, Zermatt, Saint-Moritz.
The weather makes last-minute bookings risky and often more expensive.

Need a price estimate?

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How does AEROAFFAIRES optimize the price of a private flight?

Multi-operator search

Consultation of dozens of AOC operators to identify the best-positioned aircraft.

Crew planning analysis

Integration of the flight into an optimized schedule to avoid overloading.

Check airport slots

Anticipation of slots and parking to avoid last-minute constraints.

Integration into existing flights

Identify nearby missions, repositionings or departures from costly airports.

Monitoring of actual empty legs

Daily analysis of actual repositionings to propose reliable opportunities.

Checklist for reducing the cost of a private flight

– Time flexibility of one to two hours
– Possibility of taking off or landing at several airports
– Avoid seasonal peaks whenever possible
– Book early for saturated destinations
– Check that empty legacies are really compatible

Summary: the best time depends on your objective

Objective	Ideal time	Logic
Optimized price	2 to 6 weeks before	More fleet available
Flexibility	48 to 72 hours in advance	Aircraft repositioning
Saturated destination	Early booking	Scarce slots
Empty leg	Last minute	Empty plane
Pro event	As soon as the date is known	Stable rates and availability

Conclusion

A good business aviation fare is based on :
– anticipation
– actual aircraft positioning
– crew optimization
– control of fleet movements
– market opportunities such as empty legacies

Private jetting is a tailor-made service. So is the price.

Private flights: price, booking, availability

Why does the price of a private jet flight vary so much from one day to the next?

The price of a private jet flight depends on a number of highly operational factors: actual positioning of the aircraft, crew availability according to EASA regulations, weather conditions, airport saturation and repositioning requirements. The same trip can cost much more if the aircraft has to come empty, or if airport slots are scarce. Price is never based on marketing logic, but on measurable constraints.

Is it true that booking early almost always results in a better fare?

In most cases, yes. Early booking gives you access to more aircraft, avoids unnecessary repositioning and enables you to obtain the best airport slots. Operators can integrate your flight into an existing schedule, reducing the cost of crew nights or second shifts. The further out the date, the easier the optimization and the more consistent the rate.

Can booking at the last minute still be worthwhile?

In certain contexts, booking late can be advantageous, especially when an aircraft has to return empty or leave an airport where parking is expensive. Last-minute bookings can also provide access to aircraft grounded due to weather conditions. However, this remains unpredictable. Price reductions are only possible if your itinerary corresponds exactly to a fleet movement already planned.

What is an empty leg and why is it often cheaper?

An empty leg is a flight where the aircraft has to reposition itself without passengers after a mission. As this flight would take place no matter what, the operator usually accepts a much reduced fare to offset some of the costs. Discounts can range from 30 to 70%. However, an empty leg depends entirely on the main flight and can be brought forward, changed or cancelled.

How can I tell if an offer is a real empty leg or just a sales promotion?

A true empty leg always comprises four elements: a clearly identified aircraft, an AOC-certified operator, an estimated date and time, and a precise route corresponding to an actual repositioning. If the offer implies that the destination is flexible or that the schedule can be freely chosen, it is not an empty leg but a classic commercial offer in disguise.

Why does the choice of airport have such an impact on the price of a flight?

The choice of airport affects the slots available, the cost of aircraft parking, the length of the runway and accessibility depending on the weather. Some airports, such as Nice, Olbia, Ibiza or Courchevel, become very restricted in season, reducing options and increasing costs. Conversely, accepting a departure or arrival at an alternative airport can eliminate a repositioning altogether.

How far in advance should I book for a major event (festival, trade show, congress)?

As soon as the date is known. For busy events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Art Basel or major international conferences, slots and parking capacity fill up fast. Booking early means you get the best possible time, a confirmed parking space and a wider choice of aircraft. At the last minute, even the availability of an aircraft does not guarantee access to the platform.

Why can the weather increase the price of a private flight?

Weather can temporarily ground aircraft, especially in winter in the Alps, forcing airlines to adjust their schedules. If an aircraft is unable to join its next mission, the operator often has to reorganize a crew, change base or request a longer repositioning. These adjustments entail additional costs, which are reflected in the quote when the request is made late or is rigidly timed.

Is a private jet flight booked several months in advance guaranteed to cost the same?

Yes, if the flight is confirmed by contract and the aircraft is reserved for the mission. The price is based on a fixed cost structure: fuel, maintenance, crew and planning. Once the quotation has been signed, the operator commits the aircraft and crews. Price variations only occur if the customer modifies parameters such as schedule, airport or number of passengers.

What are the best practical ways to reduce the cost of a private jet flight?

The three most effective levers are: time flexibility of one to two hours, the possibility of using several nearby airports, and early booking for saturated destinations. Then there’s the active monitoring of compatible empty legacies. These are the elements that enable the broker to reduce or eliminate repositioning, which is the main source of real savings.