What Is an Empty Leg Flight?
An empty leg flight occurs when a helicopter needs to reposition for its next scheduled mission without passengers on board.
For example, a helicopter may fly from Mykonos to Santorini to pick up guests, or return to its base after completing a transfer. These flights are necessary regardless of whether passengers are onboard.
Rather than flying empty, operators may offer these available seats or the entire flight at a reduced price.
Why Do Empty Legs Exist?
Helicopters are constantly moving between destinations to accommodate bookings across the Greek islands.
Common reasons for empty leg flights include:
Repositioning for the next charter
Returning to a home base
Moving to another island for scheduled operations
Preparing for a future booking
Since the flight must take place anyway, passengers can benefit from special pricing opportunities.
The Advantages of Empty Leg Flights
Significant Savings
The biggest advantage is price.
Because the flight is already scheduled, empty legs are often offered at substantially lower rates than a standard private charter.
Private Travel Experience
Even at a reduced rate, you still enjoy the comfort, exclusivity and spectacular views of a private helicopter flight.
Unique Travel Opportunities
Empty leg flights can create opportunities to visit islands you may not have originally considered, adding flexibility and spontaneity to your Greek adventure.
Faster Than Ferry Travel
Many empty leg routes connect islands in just minutes, saving valuable vacation time compared to traditional ferry journeys.
How Does Booking an Empty Leg Work?
Available empty leg flights are published whenever a repositioning flight becomes available.
Interested travellers can:
Browse available routes.
Select a suitable flight.
Confirm the booking.
Receive flight details and departure information.
Because empty legs depend on operational schedules, availability can change quickly.
Are Empty Leg Flights Flexible?
Empty leg flights follow a predetermined route and schedule.
Unlike a private charter, passengers cannot usually choose:
Departure time
Route
Destination
The advantage is the attractive pricing, while the trade-off is reduced flexibility.
Who Are Empty Leg Flights Ideal For?
Empty legs are perfect for:
Flexible travellers
Couples and small groups
Luxury travellers seeking exceptional value
Visitors island hopping through the Cyclades
Last-minute travellers looking for unique opportunities
Important Things to Know
Since empty leg flights depend on operational requirements, routes and schedules may occasionally change.
For this reason, empty leg bookings are best suited to travellers with some flexibility in their itinerary.
Experience Private Helicopter Travel for Less
Empty leg flights offer one of the smartest ways to experience private helicopter travel in Greece.
You enjoy the same breathtaking views, the same premium service and the same unforgettable experience — often at a fraction of the usual charter price.