Glossary

Ferry Flight

A ferry flight is empty aircraft movement without paying passengers, often to position the jet for your charter, return it to base, or relocate it for the operator's next trip. Ferry hours may bill on your invoice when they exist solely because of your itinerary.

Why it matters

Why ferry flight matters

Ferry flight is the operational term behind repositioning line items. When a broker says the aircraft must ferry from Dallas to Teterboro before your leg, that empty movement is ferry time you may pay for on a one-way booking.

Cost

How it affects cost

Ferry hours often bill at or near occupied hourly rates with lighter passenger fees. One-way trips and remote departures increase ferry exposure; round trips from busy hubs reduce it.

Example

A quick example

You book a one-way Teterboro to Miami trip while the aircraft sits in Chicago. The operator ferries Chicago to Teterboro empty, flies your passenger leg, then ferries Miami toward the next assignment. The Chicago to Teterboro and post-drop ferry may appear as ferry or repositioning hours.

Related terms

Other terms to know

Common questions

Is a ferry flight the same as repositioning?

Operators use both terms for empty movement. On invoices you may see repositioning, ferry, or deadhead hours describing similar empty legs.

Can I ride on a ferry flight?

Sometimes an empty leg is sold at a discount when your route matches required ferry movement. Standard ferry legs before your trip are empty, not passenger flights.

Why am I charged for ferry if I only care about my leg?

Because the operator incurred empty hours to serve your departure airport and schedule. One-way bookings often include ferry beyond your occupied passenger time.

Last reviewed May 2026. Estimates use planning assumptions that we revisit periodically.