Everything You Need
Before Your Flight

Booking Your Travel

Vanbert Aviation operates across the primary Florida to Bahamas corridor, with departure options from four Florida airports and arrival points at every major Bahamas destination plus Turks and Caicos. You can book directly through our website, by phone at any hour, or through your preferred travel advisor.

How to Book

• Online: Submit a quote request for on demand charter, browse live empty leg deals, or reserve a seat on our scheduled shuttle service
• By phone: Call our concierge at +1 (561) 664-7695 (US) or +1 (242) 817-1771 (Bahamas), 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Through your travel advisor: We work directly with travel advisors and IATA agencies. Contact us about advisor partnerships.

For recurring travel needs, corporate clients, or family office arrangements, ask about our enterprise charter program for dedicated account management and priority access.

FBO Locations

A Fixed Base Operator (FBO) is the private terminal where your charter departs from or arrives at. FBOs offer concierge service, private lounges, and direct tarmac access, dramatically faster than commercial terminals.

Florida Departure Points

Bahamas Arrival Points

Luggage Policy

Private aviation offers substantially more generous luggage allowances than commercial airlines, but weight and dimension limits still apply based on aircraft type.

General Guidelines by Aircraft Category

• Light jets (Citation CJ3+, Phenom 300): Approximately 50 lb per passenger inclusive of checked and carry on. Baggage compartment limited to roughly 60 cubic feet.
• Midsize jets (Hawker 800XP, Citation Sovereign): Approximately 75 lb per passenger. Larger baggage compartment, can accommodate standard golf bags and most sports equipment.
• Heavy jets (Gulfstream G-IV, Challenger 605): Approximately 100 lb per passenger. Ample space for extended trips, specialty equipment, and multiple large bags.
• Turboprops (Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350): More restrictive. 35 to 50 lb per passenger depending on aircraft configuration.

Special Equipment

Non standard items including golf bags, fishing gear, dive equipment, car seats, and oversized coolers require advance notification. Contact our concierge when booking to confirm compatibility with your selected aircraft or to upgrade to a larger aircraft if needed.

Customs & Immigration

The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos both have streamlined customs and immigration for private jet passengers. Expect the entire process to take 10 to 20 minutes at most private terminals, dramatically faster than commercial arrivals.

Required Documents

• Valid passport with at least six months remaining validity from your intended departure date. This is non negotiable for all non Bahamian travelers.
• Bahamas Immigration Card (C7 form). Your flight crew will provide and help complete this during the flight.
• Proof of onward travel. Your return charter booking documentation serves this purpose. Commercial tickets, hotel reservations, or yacht arrangements also qualify.
• Customs Declaration (C17 form) for non Bahamian passport holders, provided at the FBO.

Key Policies

• US, Canadian, UK, and EU citizens do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days.
• Children under 18 traveling without both parents should have a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s).
• Duty free allowances include 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 1 quart of spirits, and gifts up to $100.
• Firearms require advance permits and are strictly controlled. Contact our team well in advance if this applies.
• Pets require a Bahamas Department of Agriculture import permit obtained 48 to 72 hours before travel.

Read our detailed Bahamas Customs Guide for complete information including prohibited items, cash declaration requirements, and departure procedures.

Check In Times

Private flight check in is dramatically faster than commercial. In most cases, you can arrive 15 to 30 minutes before departure and still have a relaxed experience.

Recommended Arrival Times

• Domestic US flights: 20 minutes before scheduled departure
• International flights (to The Bahamas or TCI): 30 minutes before scheduled departure to allow for outbound customs paperwork
• With pets or special equipment: 45 minutes before departure for pre flight coordination
• Shuttle flights: 30 minutes before scheduled departure per shuttle terms

At the FBO

When you arrive at the FBO, you will be greeted at the entrance. Luggage is taken directly from your vehicle to the aircraft. You can relax in the private lounge (often with coffee, light refreshments, and comfortable seating) while the crew finishes pre flight preparations. When the aircraft is ready, you walk directly from the lounge to the aircraft, typically a distance of less than 100 feet.

There is no security theater. No TSA lines. No gate announcements. The experience is designed around your time and comfort.

Flight Experience

Vanbert's operator network includes aircraft across every major category. The experience depends on which aircraft you fly, but certain elements are consistent.

On Board

• Leather seating with dedicated legroom and individual seat controls
• Pressurized cabin with quiet acoustic engineering
• Complimentary beverages and light snacks on all flights
• Custom catering available on request (advance notice)
• Wi Fi available on most aircraft (confirm during booking)
• Personal attention from our vetted flight crews

Flight Times on the Corridor

• Fort Lauderdale to Nassau: approximately 55 minutes
• Miami to Nassau: approximately 50 minutes
• Fort Lauderdale to Exuma: approximately 1 hour 10 minutes
• West Palm Beach to Nassau: approximately 1 hour 5 minutes
• Miami to Harbour Island (via MYEH): approximately 1 hour 15 minutes plus 15 minute water taxi
• Miami to Turks and Caicos: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

Pets & Children

Traveling with Pets

Vanbert welcomes pets on charter flights. Your pet travels in the cabin with you, not in a cargo hold. There are no size restrictions beyond what is reasonable for the aircraft cabin.

• Pets must have current vaccinations including rabies
• International travel requires a Bahamas Department of Agriculture import permit (48 to 72 hours advance notice)
• USDA health certificate required for some international routes
• Pets should be on leash or in a carrier during taxi, takeoff, and landing
• Emotional support animals travel free; service animals travel free regardless of weight

Traveling with Children and Infants

• Infants (under 2 years) may travel as a lap child at no additional charge
• Children under 5 require an FAA approved car seat for their own seat
• Unaccompanied minors are not permitted on our international routes. For US domestic routes, minors aged 12 to 17 may travel unaccompanied with a parental consent form
• Children traveling without both parents should carry a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s), especially for international travel

Cancellation, Weather & Policies

Cancellation Policy

• On demand charter: Full refund if cancelled 7 or more days before departure. Partial refund (typically 50%) for 3 to 7 day cancellations. No refund for less than 72 hour cancellations.
• Empty leg deals: Non refundable once confirmed. Empty legs are priced at a fraction of charter cost, and operator flexibility is more limited.
• Shuttle flights: Full refund 48 hours before departure. 50% refund 24 to 48 hours. No refund inside 24 hours.

Weather Policy

If weather prevents safe flight operation and we cancel or delay your flight, you receive a full refund or credit toward a future flight at your choice. Ground transportation to a hotel during extended weather delays is arranged at our expense for affected passengers.

Hazardous Materials

Private aviation is subject to the same FAA hazardous materials regulations as commercial. Prohibited items include compressed gas cylinders, lithium batteries above specified capacities, flammable liquids, and certain aerosols. When in doubt, contact our team before your flight.

Sustainability

Vanbert partners with CarbonFootprint to offer optional carbon offset for every flight. Learn more about our sustainability initiatives and how we are reducing the environmental impact of private aviation.