Repositioning is one of the most misunderstood lines in a charter quote. This guide explains what a repositioning or ferry fee is, why it appears, and how to keep it down.
Repositioning, also called ferry time, is the flying needed to bring an aircraft to your departure airport and to return it afterwards. Aircraft are based at specific airports, so if the one that suits your trip is not already where you are, it has to fly to reach you.
That flight has the same operating cost as any other, even though you are not aboard. The repositioning fee passes some or all of that cost to the trip that requires it.
An operator funds fuel, crew, and aircraft time whenever the aircraft moves. When that movement exists only to serve your trip, it is fair that the trip carries the cost. On a round trip where the aircraft waits for you, repositioning is often limited. On a one way where the aircraft must fly home empty, it can be a larger share of the total.
The further the aircraft sits from your route, the more repositioning you fund. One way trips tend to carry more than round trips, because the aircraft has to get back to where it is useful. Popular aircraft based near busy hubs usually involve less repositioning than rare types based far away.
Choosing an aircraft based near your departure airport is the simplest lever, since it shortens or removes the ferry legs. Round trips that keep the aircraft with you can be more efficient than one way routings. Empty legs are repositioning flights sold at a discount, so they can turn a cost into a saving when the timing fits.
Ask any quote to show repositioning as a separate line so you can see it clearly. Send us your route and we will look for aircraft positioned to minimise it.
Share your route and dates. We will look for aircraft based nearby and return pricing with repositioning shown clearly.
Our newsletter for the discerning traveller. Aircraft notes, route intelligence, and honest guidance on cost. No noise.