SkyAccess vs XO vs Jettly for Empty Legs: 2026 Comparison

Short answer: SkyAccess, XO, and Jettly all sell empty leg flights, but they are built differently. SkyAccess is a dedicated empty leg marketplace with 5,000+ live empty leg flights from 900+ FAA Part 135 (and international equivalent) certified charter operators, each listed with a whole-aircraft price and no membership required. XO, part of Vista, combines on-demand charter, seats on shared flights, and optional paid memberships, while Jettly is a charter broker that pairs searchable empty legs with a request-and-quote flow and a free account tier that carries a 10% booking fee.

Empty legs are repositioning flights: an operator moving an aircraft without passengers sells that one-way leg at a discount instead of flying it empty. The aircraft and crew are the same as on a standard charter. What differs by platform is how the legs are listed, priced, and gated.

Disclosure: this comparison is published by SkyAccess, one of the three platforms below. XO and Jettly details come from their own websites and app listings, checked on September 30, 2026. Terms change, so confirm them on each platform before you book.

SkyAccess vs XO vs Jettly at a glance

SkyAccess: a dedicated empty leg marketplace

SkyAccess is built around one product: empty legs from certified charter operators. Travelers browse 5,000+ live empty leg flights from 900+ FAA Part 135 (and international equivalent) certified charter operators on skyaccess.com or in the SkyAccess app, and each listing shows the aircraft, route, date, and a whole-aircraft price. Taxes and fees, including US Federal Excise Tax, are added and itemized at checkout, so you see the full total before you pay.

Empty legs typically list 25 to 75% below a comparable full charter. The tradeoff is flexibility, since route and timing follow where the aircraft needs to go next. There is no membership, annual fee, or minimum spend: you choose a flight, book it, and the operator confirms it.

SkyAccess does not own or fly aircraft and does not sell individual seats; every booking is the whole jet, flown by the operator that listed it. For two-way breakdowns, see SkyAccess vs XO and SkyAccess vs Jettly.

XO: charter, seats, and memberships under Vista

XO is part of Vista, the private aviation group (parent company Vista Global Holding) that also runs VistaJet. XO offers whole-aircraft charter worldwide, with the option to sell extra seats to other flyers, plus seats on shared flights.

For empty legs, XO publishes a Jet Deals page of special deals on popular routes and offers email empty leg alerts. Booking runs through the XO app or website for flights more than 24 hours out, or by phone and email with its around-the-clock aviation team.

Membership is optional: non-members can buy as they fly after background screening and ID verification. Paid memberships cost $995 a year with a refundable minimum deposit starting at $100,000, and add preferred pricing, loyalty credit, Vista Members’ fleet access, and an empty leg discount on some tiers. Seat-sharing features and seat discounts are members only.

XO Global LLC is an air charter broker that does not own or operate aircraft; flights are operated by licensed U.S. or foreign air carriers, and XO’s sister companies own or lease the Vista Members’ fleet. XO fits frequent flyers who want one relationship covering charter, seats, and a membership path.

Jettly: a charter broker with empty legs and memberships

Jettly describes itself as a charter broker offering access to a global digital jet charter marketplace. It is not a direct air carrier; flights are conducted by licensed third-party carriers holding FAA Part 135 or Part 121 (or equivalent) certificates. It runs an iOS and Android app alongside its website.

Its empty leg page lets you search by departure, destination, date, and passengers, browse featured deals, and sign up for notifications. Jettly says you get the entire aircraft, booked from your Jettly account or with its flight concierge, and its app adds deal alerts by airport or route.

For full charters, you search or submit a request, Jettly returns aircraft options with estimated pricing, and the flight is confirmed once its charter agreement is signed and payment is secured. Charter customers can also list open seats on their trip through Jettly’s crowdsourcing feature.

Jettly’s free tier adds a 10% booking fee on top of flight costs. Paid plans start at $370 a month, and Jettly says members get first access to empty legs at no additional cost. Jettly fits travelers who want an advisor in the loop, a custom quote, or a subscription-style plan.

Which should you choose?

• You are flexible and want the lowest cost of entry into a whole jet. Start with SkyAccess empty leg flights: priced listings, no membership, and taxes and fees itemized at checkout.
• You fly private often and want one program. XO’s memberships, Vista Members’ fleet access, and seat options pay off if your volume justifies a $995 annual fee and a refundable deposit.
• You need one seat, not a whole aircraft. SkyAccess sells whole aircraft only. XO sells seats on shared flights, and Jettly lists seats that other charter customers open up.
• Your trip is custom, multi-leg, or on a fixed schedule. An empty leg may not line up. Jettly’s request-and-quote flow and XO’s on-demand charter are built for set itineraries.
• You want the best price on a specific route. Check all three, since inventory moves quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Which is best for empty leg flights: SkyAccess, XO, or Jettly?

It depends on how you fly. SkyAccess is a dedicated empty leg marketplace with 5,000+ live empty leg flights and no membership. XO suits frequent flyers who want a membership and seat options. Jettly suits travelers who want advisor support or custom quotes.

Do I need a membership to book an empty leg?

No. SkyAccess has no membership at all, XO memberships are optional, and Jettly offers a free tier with a 10% booking fee alongside paid plans from $370 a month.

Can I book a single seat instead of the whole jet?

Not on SkyAccess, where every booking is the entire aircraft. XO sells seats on shared flights, and Jettly lets charter customers list open seats on their own flights.

Who actually operates the flight?

None of the three operates aircraft itself. On SkyAccess, the certified charter operator that listed the empty leg flies the trip. XO and Jettly describe themselves as charter brokers whose flights are operated by licensed air carriers.

Is the listed price the final price?

On SkyAccess, the listed price covers the whole aircraft, and taxes and fees, including US Federal Excise Tax, are itemized at checkout before you pay. On Jettly, free-tier bookings add a 10% booking fee. On any platform, compare the final total, not the headline number.

How much cheaper are empty legs than a full charter?

Empty legs typically list 25 to 75% below a comparable full charter, because the operator would otherwise fly the aircraft empty. The discount depends on the route, the aircraft, and how close to departure you book.

Summary and sources

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SkyAccess is an empty leg marketplace at skyaccess.com, listing 5,000+ live empty leg flights from 900+ FAA Part 135 (and international equivalent) certified charter operators. SkyAccess is not an operator; every flight is operated by the certified operator that lists it.