PET FRIENDLY PRIVATE CHARTER
Fly Private with Your Dog.
No Carrier. No Cargo Hold.
Every Vanbert flight is pet friendly. Your dog rides in the cabin with you, the carrier stays on the floor, and we pre-arrange the Bahamas import permit paperwork before you board. No commercial cargo. No weight cutoffs. No waiting in line at the agriculture desk.
Flying your pet commercial is a stress test. Most airlines cap pet weight at 20 pounds for in-cabin travel. Anything larger goes in the cargo hold — a separate pressurized compartment where you cannot check on your animal, cannot hand them water, and cannot do anything if they panic. Summer heat embargoes cancel pet bookings weekly. Breed restrictions exclude snub-nosed dogs outright. And the Bahamas import paperwork sits on you, the owner, to figure out before you board.
Private charter removes every one of those frictions. Your pet flies in the cabin with you, no size ceiling, no breed rules, no cargo, no weather embargoes. The same climate control that keeps you comfortable keeps them comfortable. Vanbert files the Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture import permit on your behalf, coordinates the 48 hour vet health certificate, and meets you on the ramp at an FBO where the clearance takes minutes. This page is the full pet owner playbook for flying Florida to Bahamas on a private jet.
Why Fly Private with a Pet
Six reasons pet owners switch from commercial to charter, in roughly the order we hear them most often:
No cargo hold
Pets fly in the cabin on your lap, on a seat, or on the floor. Same pressurized, climate controlled air you breathe. No separate compartment, no strangers handling the crate.
No carrier restrictions
Private cabins are sized for humans, not carry-on dimensions. Your 90 pound retriever does not need to squeeze into a 17 inch under-seat bag.
Same air as you
The cabin is climate controlled throughout the flight and the entire taxi. Cargo holds are pressurized but the temperature range is wider and less consistent. On a private jet your pet sits in 72 degree air all the way.
No layovers
Every Vanbert Bahamas flight is direct. Fort Lauderdale to Nassau is 35 minutes in the air. Commercial routings with pets often require multi-hour connection windows that turn a short hop into a full day.
Crew trained to help
If your pet needs water, a calm hand, or an unscheduled bathroom break, the flight attendant is right there. On shuttle and charter crew briefings pets are a standing item.
Paperwork handled
We file the import permit, carry the vet health certificate with the flight documents, and coordinate with Bahamas Customs so the clearance is a paperwork check, not a negotiation.
What We Handle for Your Pet
From the moment you mention a pet on the inquiry, our operations team adds six items to your trip checklist. You handle the vet visit and the travel carrier. We handle everything that touches the Bahamian government.
Pre-booking intake
We capture species, breed, weight, age, microchip number, and whether the animal is a service or emotional support animal. This lets us pick the right aircraft and seat configuration and flag the trip for the permit desk.
Bahamas import permit filing
We submit the application to the Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture, Veterinary Section, and pay the permit fee (approximately $10 USD per animal). Processing runs 5 to 10 business days; we start the moment you confirm the trip.
48 hour vet health certificate
Your vet issues a Veterinary Health Certificate (APHIS Form 7001 for US origin) within 48 hours of departure. We send you the template, the deadline, and a short-list of mobile vets in South Florida who can do same-day visits if needed.
Rabies verification
We confirm the rabies vaccination is current — at least 30 days old, not more than 12 months — and upload the certificate to your trip file. This is the most common last-minute snag for first-time pet travelers.
Arrival at the FBO
Ground handler meets the aircraft with the permit already on file. Agriculture officer does a visual check, stamps the permit, and you clear. No extra inspection, no detour to a separate pet desk.
Ground transport pre-arranged
Pet friendly SUV or resort shuttle picks you up at the FBO. We flag the pet on the booking so the driver expects paws and provides a blanket for the seat.
Requirements at a Glance
The Bahamian requirements are straightforward but unforgiving on the 48 hour window. Here is the working reference card:
Pet Entry Requirements — Bahamas
- Rabies vaccination
- Minimum 1 month old on arrival, not more than 12 months old.
- Vet health certificate
- Issued within 48 hours of departure by a licensed veterinarian.
- Import permit
- Bahamas Department of Agriculture, approximately $10 USD, 5 to 10 business day processing.
- Breed restrictions
- None for private flight. Bully breeds may face extra visual review.
- Multiple pets
- Allowed. Flag on booking; one permit per animal.
- Cats, small mammals, birds
- Same permit process; CITES paperwork for certain bird species.
- Service animals
- Always permitted, no fee, no additional documentation beyond vaccination.
- Emotional support animals
- Treated as standard pets by Bahamas; no ESA documentation required.
- Microchip
- Not strictly required by Bahamas, but mandatory for US CDC re-entry on dogs.
The 48 hour vet certificate window is the single most common tripping point. Do not get the certificate Tuesday afternoon for a Friday morning flight. Build the vet visit into the 24 hours before departure.
Which Aircraft for Pets?
Every Vanbert aircraft is pet friendly. The question is comfort, not permission. A 12 pound cavalier is happy on a PC-12. A 95 pound bernedoodle wants a Hawker or bigger for floor space. Here is the rough sizing guide our ops team uses:
| Pet size | Recommended aircraft | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small / medium (under 25 lb) | Any aircraft — PC-12, King Air, Phenom 100/300, CJ3+ | Fits on lap, adjacent seat, or carrier at your feet. No constraints. |
| Large (25 to 75 lb) | Light jet or larger — Phenom 300, Citation CJ3+, Citation XLS | Aisle floor space and cabin height let the dog stretch out comfortably. |
| Extra large (75 lb and up) | Midsize or larger — Hawker 800XP, Citation Sovereign, Challenger 605, Gulfstream | Flat aisle, six foot stand-up cabin, room for a full travel bed. |
| Multiple pets | Midsize or larger | Two dogs plus luggage plus humans means you want the extra cabin footprint. |
| Service animals | Any aircraft | Always permitted. No paperwork beyond vaccination records. |
What Pet Owners Get Wrong
Seven misconceptions we correct almost every week on first calls with pet owners. Most are holdovers from commercial flying that simply do not apply to Part 135 charter.
"My dog has to fly in a carrier."
RealityOn a private charter your dog flies however is most comfortable — on the floor, on a seat with a blanket, on your lap, or in a carrier if they prefer one. There is no FAA rule requiring carrier use on Part 135 flights.
"Pets go in the cargo hold."
RealityThat is a commercial airline convention driven by cabin weight class rules. Private jets do not segregate pets. Your animal is in the cabin with you from engine start to shutdown.
"Pets can't enter the Bahamas."
RealityThe Bahamas welcomes pets. They just want a permit on file, current rabies, and a recent vet certificate. Thousands of pets enter every year through Nassau, Exuma, and Marsh Harbour.
"I have to sedate my pet."
RealityMost vets advise against sedation for air travel. Sedatives can interact with pressurization changes and mask signs of distress. On a short quiet private flight most pets settle within minutes on their own. Ask your vet if you are unsure.
"It costs extra to bring a pet."
RealityVanbert does not charge a pet fee on charters. The only incremental cost is the Bahamas permit fee (about $10 USD) which we pass through at cost. No seat surcharge, no cleaning fee, no pet class of service.
"Small dogs only."
RealityWe have flown 120 pound breeds — mastiffs, great danes, bernese mountain dogs — with no issue. The aircraft just has to match the dog's need for floor space.
"Only dogs."
RealityCats, rabbits, ferrets, and birds are all eligible for private charter and for Bahamas entry. The permit process is the same. Reptiles are generally restricted and need advance coordination with the Department of Agriculture.
Returning to the US with Your Pet
The US CDC updated its dog import rules in August 2024 and again in 2025. For dogs returning from the Bahamas (classified as a low-risk country for dog rabies) the current requirements are manageable but specific.
- Dog must appear healthy on arrival — visible signs of illness can trigger secondary inspection.
- Proof of rabies vaccination — current certificate, at least 30 days old.
- ISO compatible microchip — required for CDC re-entry, even if not required for Bahamas entry.
- Dog must be at least 6 months old.
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt — filed online 2 to 10 days before arrival.
- The rabies titer test and export certificate requirements that apply to dogs from high-risk countries do not apply to dogs returning from the Bahamas as of this writing. Rules change — verify at cdc.gov before travel.
For cats, CDC does not impose the new CDC Dog Import Form. A current rabies certificate and the standard CBP declaration are typically sufficient. Our ops team files the CDC form for you as part of the return leg paperwork and flags any changes before the trip.
Destinations that Love Pets
Not every Bahamian resort is set up for dogs. Some are. These are the addresses we hear best feedback from pet owners about, and the Out Islands where your pet can more or less come anywhere:
Atlantis Paradise Island
Accepts pets under 40 pounds in select rooms with advance notice. Walking areas along the marina and quiet landscaping between towers. Pet amenities on request.
Baha Mar
Pet friendly suites at SLS Baha Mar. Beach access is leashed-only, but the grounds are large and quiet. Best for small to medium pets.
The Dunmore, Harbour Island
Small hotel, relaxed policy, direct beach walks on pink sand at low tide. Ideal for dogs who enjoy long shoreline runs.
Out Islands (Exuma, Abaco, Eleuthera)
Most villa rentals on the Out Islands allow pets by default. Beach walks are essentially unrestricted outside the main resorts. Exuma's Tropic of Cancer Beach is a dog paradise.
If you need a specific recommendation for a pet friendly property on any island, our concierge can place the call to confirm policy before you book the flight. See our full luxury resorts guide for property details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need a special crate or carrier?
Can my pet sit on my lap during takeoff and landing?
What if my pet gets anxious during the flight?
Can I bring their food and medications?
How far in advance do I need to book with a pet?
Is there a weight limit?
What happens if my vet certificate is more than 48 hours old at departure?
Can I bring my cat?
Related Reading
- Full Bahamas pet import guide — permit application walkthrough, eligible ports of entry, and re-entry details.
- Private islands of the Bahamas — where to take a dog who hates crowds.
- Vanbert fleet overview — cabin dimensions and floor space by aircraft.
- Bahamas travel hub — weather, events, and destination guides.
READY TO FLY TOGETHER?
Your Pet, Your Aircraft, Your Schedule.
Tell us the species, the weight, and the destination. We handle the permit, the vet timing, and the ground transport. You just show up with the leash.