A floating fleet refers to multiple aircraft of the same type scattered across different locations, all owned by a single operator. For instance, an operator may possess several Gulfstream G-IVs, Citation Xs, or Challenger 300s positioned throughout the United States. Because these aircraft are of the same model, they do not need to return to a central base; crew changes are made as necessary at various locations.
This operational setup benefits clients by enabling operators to offer lower prices. One-way trips are typically quoted at the flight time plus a 40% charge, which is more cost-effective than paying for a return journey that isn’t used. This can result in savings of up to 60% for clients and reduces the number of empty flights. Since floating fleets are usually operated rather than owned by individual owners, there’s no delay for owner approval. However, cancellation policies for one-way flights can be stringent and potentially more expensive than booking a round trip.
Floating fleets are strategically positioned along popular routes. Examples include north-to-south routes along the East Coast of the United States, as well as connections from the Midwest to Texas and Florida. Internationally, these fleets serve many stops between Europe and the United States.
In specific regions, certain jet sizes are more prevalent. For instance, light jets are abundant on the north-to-south East Coast route, while midsize aircraft dominate cross-country flights.
Which is more common, empty legs or floating fleets?
Floating fleets are consistently accessible, whereas empty legs occur sporadically. For instance, an empty leg from London to Nice, FL might appear once a week, whereas you can schedule the same route on a floating fleet at your convenience.