LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Catching a private jet in and out of Las Vegas can be far more attainable than many travelers might expect, thanks to discounted “empty leg” flights and a growing menu of semi-private options.
Las Vegas regularly sees private jets arriving for major events such as the Super Bowl, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and big UFC fights. That steady traffic can create logistical challenges for the companies that own and operate the aircraft — and it can also open the door to steeply discounted seats for travelers who can be flexible.
One way to save is by booking an “empty leg,” a flight an operator needs to reposition without passengers. Cirrus Aviation offers discounted access through programs including its “Theos” membership.
“Oh, I don’t even know where to start. Just the convenience of it, first of all, not having to go through TSA, having a more intimate experience with your friends,” said Chera Leigh, who works in digital and social media marketing and frequently uses private air travel.
Leigh said the experience can be worth the added cost for some travelers. “If you want an elevated experience and you want to be able to make memories, I think it’s definitely worth the extra money to do something like that with your family because it’s something that’s going to last a lifetime,” she said.
Cirrus executive Brian Kip said empty legs can significantly reduce the cost of flying private when travelers can adjust their schedules within a few days. For example, a customer might book a flight from San Francisco to Denver, but the aircraft could be based in Las Vegas and needs to be moved to San Francisco.
“They have to get the aircraft up there. So instead of just flying it up there empty, we sell it,” Kip said.
Kip said that flexibility can translate into major savings. “So it gives the ability for somebody that has the flexibility within a few days to say, ‘Hey, I’ll take that flight, and it’s going to be, you know, fraction of what it’ll cost you to actually charter that aircraft,’” he said.
Pricing for an empty leg depends on the size of the jet and the destination.
For travelers who want some of the private-aviation convenience without chartering an entire aircraft, semi-private service is another option. JSX, which operates from its own customer lounge, offers a streamlined experience that includes walking directly to the jet without using a parking garage or going through TSA.
“The way that we operate in the service that we provide, we’re actually able to offer the private jet experience of showing up to the airport only 20 minutes before your flight, with only 30 other customers on board the airplane,” said JSX President David Drabinsky.
JSX uses jets similar to those commonly seen at regional airports. Seating is closer to a typical commercial flight than a “flying living room,” but Drabinsky said that structure helps bring down the cost.
“The entire plane is not dedicated to you, so that means that instead of you having to pay the cost of the entire jet with us, you pay a 30th of that. And because of the scale that we fly at, with out of Vegas, for example, we have upwards of 50 flights a day in some cases, we’re able to scale our costs down to make this affordable,” Drabinsky said.
Cirrus is currently offering free sign-ups for its Theos membership, which provides deeper discounts on empty-leg flights. JSX also offers a free loyalty program with discounts, and the company says travelers may find better fares by flying out of Las Vegas on a Thursday or Friday and returning on a Sunday or Monday, which are slower travel days.
