Let’s set the story: Summer 2021. I was 15 years old and bored out of my mind. As an AvGeek, pretty much nothing excited me more than the idea of flying on a private jet. I had scoured the internet and read up on every possible avenue of getting on one (including Ben’s private jet experience) without paying the tens of thousands required to charter one.
Then came my hero: XO, the app succeeding JetSmarter (an all-you-can-fly private jet model which, unsurprisingly, went out of business). While there was no longer an all-you-can-fly subscription or any “free” flights, there were select Jet Deals (empty legs) that you could purchase tickets on by the seat for a relatively cheap price, usually in the hundreds of dollars.
I scoured the app for months until I finally got a notification of a flight from near my home in Washington DC to Indianapolis (I had a few previous failed attempts which resulted in flights cancelled at the last minute, including one as I was at the airport, about to reposition to catch the flight).
I immediately pulled the trigger and researched the policies XO and XOJet Aviation (the operator of the flight) had for unaccompanied minors. In short, there wasn’t a definitive answer. I got anywhere from 16+ to fly solo on a Jet Deal according to older JetSmarter documents to “on a case-by-case basis.” So, I called them up. The representatives were understandably confused by my request but eventually I was transferred to a lady who said that as long as someone was picking me up on the other end, I would be fine to take the flight. Perfect!
The following morning I got to Manassas Regional Airport early to catch my Challenger 300 to Indianapolis Executive Airport. The moment I got out of the car at the FBO (private jet terminal) and saw my plane, in VistaJet colors no less, I was shaking with excitement. The crew hadn’t arrived yet so I was told to wait.
Eventually they showed up and asked for my ID. Crap. I handed them my passport and they went off with it and made a phone call (presumably to their operations team). It was what felt like hours until the captain beckoned to me to follow him to the plane, still on the phone. SCORE! They motioned for me to climb the stairs and get settled in. While I couldn’t make out every word, it seemed like they were still debating if I could fly. As soon as they climbed up the stairs and said “it’s about an hour en route” I let out a huge sigh of relief.
Soon enough, the engines came to life, we taxied to the runway, and began our takeoff roll. What an absolutely incredible takeoff. The power and sound of the engines on takeoff was so strong it truly felt like a rocket ship, with the pre-placed bottles of Fiji water at each of my 8 seats flying backwards.
Within minutes, the seatbelt sign was off and I got up to explore the cabin. There was a self-serve galley with plenty of snacks and drinks (“NO alcohol,” I was told — not that I would have tried). The seats were incredibly comfortable leather chairs with plenty of recline and legroom. The bathroom was almost more impressive, with VistaJet branded amenity kits, Le Labo room spray (with “bottled for VistaJet” written on them), a bathroom scale, among just about any other thing you could possibly need.
Before too long, we had started our descent. It was so incredibly cool to be able to see straight ahead into the Challenger 300’s stunning cockpit on approach. We had a quick taxi to our parking stand and then I was quickly escorted to the FBO after managing to get the pilots to take a photo of me in front of the plane.
As for the person waiting for me on the other end? That was my Uber to Indianapolis International to fly immediately back home.
Of course, once I had a taste of the high life, I was desperate to fly private again. I tried a few more times which ended both in cancellations and eventually a message from XO saying that I had to be over 18 to fly on empty legs alone.
And for anyone hoping for an empty leg flight by the seat: XO sadly no longer offers them.
I am so incredibly grateful to have been able to fulfill my lifelong dream and slip through the cracks. The moral of the story is to seize the opportunity before it disappears — which couldn’t be more relevant in today’s points landscape.
What a fun story! Hope you make your way back onto a private jet sometime soon!
Would have tried these shenanigans at your age if we had empty leg apps back in the day. This is dope
Awesome story @travelingposer! When I was that age (back in the day), even if it was possible, I wouldn't have had the persistence you showed. Good on ya!
What an incredibly cool story. Thanks for sharing.
"a bathroom scale, among just about any other thing you could possibly need."
If you're superficial enough to fly private, you're superficial enough to need a scale.
"once I had a taste of the high life, I was desperate to fly private again."
For a 15 year old doing this, you're already living the high life. Others would work the whole summer and still not make enough money for your trip.
That being...
"a bathroom scale, among just about any other thing you could possibly need."
If you're superficial enough to fly private, you're superficial enough to need a scale.
"once I had a taste of the high life, I was desperate to fly private again."
For a 15 year old doing this, you're already living the high life. Others would work the whole summer and still not make enough money for your trip.
That being said, enjoy your privilege. I'm sure you'll get to fly these again in the future. (Sorry, I'm being the bad adult that lies to you that you can grow up to be anyone, do anything, and accomplish everything as long as you work hard)
But you already have a head start (not a lie)
Love it!!! One of my "Bucket List" items was always a flight on a private jet, no matter the destination, timing, etc. At some point I realized without really rich friends or a lottery win, that wasn't going to happen. The "empty leg" brokers hog the landscape, have no aircraft, and just relay phone calls for a brokerage fee. Everyone has to make a living.
Then one day a friend told me of his friend...
Love it!!! One of my "Bucket List" items was always a flight on a private jet, no matter the destination, timing, etc. At some point I realized without really rich friends or a lottery win, that wasn't going to happen. The "empty leg" brokers hog the landscape, have no aircraft, and just relay phone calls for a brokerage fee. Everyone has to make a living.
Then one day a friend told me of his friend flying cross-country in a Citation V+ who would be stopping in Falcon Field (KFFZ, Mesa AZ) about two hours from my home. He put us together and all I had to do was show up. I don't remember how I got there because I don't remember driving another two hours to get my car... but I went and we flew and hearing you describe your experience at 15... I was double that but felt 15! No GA no FA no TSA, no logoed snacks BUT THE FLIGHT was awesome!
A few years later I was consulting to an auction house in Scottsdale AZ and the CEO wanted me there IN PERSON. I demured. Then they said he'd send his private jet. I think it's a phenom and now I'm kicking myself for no records, no outside pics, no tail number. The flight was 15min up 15min down, and again no FA no GA no TSA. AWESOME MEMORY. (Yes, I solved their tech problems where their entire tent pavilion phone system went down and callers couldn't participate in an auction.) The CEO wanted me to stick around for a day -- offered hotel+toiletries++ but I hadn't planned on it.
The pilots were on the ground preflight complete and we flew back home. WHAT AN AWesOME memory.
Then the last time the original guy said he needed a helicopter pilot to pilot his helicopter to the Cessna maintenance facility to "pick up the jet." I flew into town, then flew he and his wife to "pick up the jet." The wife took the helicopter back. We flew in the jet and he let me fly 0.1hrs (long enough to put in my permanent flight logbook). WHAT AN AWESOME day. Then I flew commercial home, just as I'd come.
It's never too late to try to live your dream. Sometimes any success is better than none. Good on you for trying at 15!!
Ehud Gavron
FAA Certificated commercial helicopter pilot
Tucson, Arizona
One of my bucket list was to ride backseat out of an aircraft carrier. Landing on it is another one.
Probably never going to happen.
Unlikely I will become President or Tom Cruise or Elon/Zuck/Jeff who could buy a carrier.
FYI this is not Lucky. It is a guest post by travelingposer. I was so confused!!!!
It’s hard to believe that you were 15 years old just five years ago in 2021. But anyway this is a really great story.
I love this! :)
Thank you for sharing. When I was 15 back in the 70's, I was happy just to visit the airport, go up to the open air deck, and wave goodbye to whoever was traveling. I was 5 when I first flew - in economy, of course - but I remember the excitement and the trays with all the little plates. Did not get a taste of the transatlantic business class on LH in the early 70's. But flying private jet, with nobody else, at 15, is a sweet story to share as you get older.
This is such a great story... thanks for sharing! Reminds me of my shenanigans when I was younger, hah.
Thank *you* for many years of amazing stories/content!!
Epic! To pull this off at just 15-years-old (and, in summer of 2021, which was still the pandemic recovery era), is wild. ('No alcohol' ...bah!) Well, at least now (in 2026) you should be 'of-age' and can fly 'unaccompanied.' Personally, hadn't even heard of OX, so you were really on-top of this. Well done!