[hannasanarion]

Empty transatlantics aren't unheard-of. I was one of only two passengers on a Lufthansa MUC-EWR last year.

It's better for them to run highly unprofitable flights than miss their contract obligations with big corporations that want a plane available to move people transatlantic on a day's notice.

[pintxo]

Also, you have a schedule and there is likely a return flight for which you need a plane in EWR in this instance.