Helpful information • Florida to Caribbean Private Aviation
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about flying privately from South Florida executive airports to The Bahamas and the Caribbean, customs clearance, aircraft selection, and working with our charter concierge team.
When should I choose a turboprop instead of a private jet for a Bahamas flight?
On short Gulf Stream and Out Island routes—such as Fort Lauderdale (FXE/FLL) to South Bimini (BIM, 50 NM), North Eleuthera (ELH, 195 NM), Marsh Harbour (MHH, 165 NM), or Staniel Cay (TYM, 240 NM)—a modern turboprop like the Pilatus PC-12 NGX, Beechcraft King Air 350i, or Cessna Grand Caravan EX is often the smartest choice. The distance isn't far enough for a jet to climb to high altitude and save meaningful time, while a turboprop delivers significantly lower hourly cost, cavernous baggage room for fishing rods and coolers, and the short-field performance required for 3,000-to-4,500-foot island runways.
How does your charter referral and partner network work when I request a quote?
We partner with a vetted network of charter operators and global aviation platforms to give Florida-to-Caribbean travelers access to thousands of turboprops, light jets, midsize jets, and heavy jets without fractional or jet-card lock-in. Simply submit your route, travel dates, and passenger count through our concierge inquiry form, and we will match your mission with the ideal aircraft and connect you with our charter partners for tailored availability and pricing.
Which South Florida airports are best for private charter flights to The Bahamas and the Caribbean?
Most private flyers bypass congested commercial terminals in favor of dedicated executive airports with private Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) and on-field U.S. Customs general aviation clearance. The top departure hubs are Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Boca Raton Airport (BCT), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International's private FBOs (FLL), and Witham Field in Stuart (SUA).
How quickly can I board my private flight, and how does customs clearance work?
When departing from a private FBO at FXE, OPF, or PBI, you simply arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Your flight crew files all electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) manifests prior to takeoff. Upon landing in The Bahamas or the Caribbean, you clear customs either at a dedicated VIP FBO lounge (such as in Nassau, Providenciales, Punta Cana, or St. Maarten) or at a small island Port of Entry (such as South Bimini, North Eleuthera, or Marsh Harbour). On your return to Florida, you clear U.S. Customs privately at the executive airport's general aviation CBP facility in minutes.
Do I need a passport for private charter flights to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?
Because Puerto Rico (San Juan SIG/SJU, Aguadilla BQN) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas STT, St. Croix STX) are United States territories, U.S. citizens do not require a passport to fly nonstop between Florida and these islands, though carrying a valid U.S. passport is always strongly recommended—especially if you plan to take a day boat or island-hopping charter into the neighboring British Virgin Islands, St. Barts, or Sint Maarten.
What is the best aircraft for short island runways like Staniel Cay (TYM) or St. Barts (SBH)?
Staniel Cay in the Exumas (3,030-foot runway) and Gustaf III Airport on St. Barts (2,119-foot hillside runway) are restricted to high-performance short-field turboprops. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX, Beechcraft King Air 250, and Cessna Grand Caravan EX are the top choices for Staniel Cay, while flights to St. Barts typically pair a nonstop jet from South Florida into St. Maarten (SXM) or San Juan (SJU) with a 12-minute Pilatus PC-12 transfer onto SBH.
Is Latitude 18 North Charter an airline or direct air carrier, and what does FAA Part 135 mean?
Latitude 18 North Charter is a private aviation concierge and charter referral service—we do not own or operate aircraft and do not hold an FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate ourselves. In simple terms, FAA Part 135 is the Federal Aviation Administration's commercial safety, maintenance, and pilot qualification standard required for companies that physically fly on-demand charter aircraft. Every flight booked through our charter partner network is operated by a properly certificated FAA Part 135 direct air carrier (or equivalent foreign civil aviation authority operator) that maintains full operational control of the flight, so you get dedicated concierge route guidance alongside fully licensed commercial charter operators without having to navigate aviation regulations yourself.