Empty Leg Miami to Nassau
An empty leg Miami to Nassau can put you in Nassau in under an hour. The 161-nautical-mile hop from Miami to Nassau is short enough that a turboprop handles it nonstop. Below are the aircraft that fly it, estimated costs and when seats list.
Miami to Nassau private jet prices by aircraft
From Miami to Nassau, a private jet covers 161 nautical miles in 0h 52m on a turboprop. One-way estimate: $2,000–$3,500.Below are the aircraft classes that work on this 161 nm route, with typical flight times and estimated charter prices. These are estimates, not quotes, and seats on an empty leg sell for less because the operator is moving the aircraft anyway. Treat the ranges as a starting point for comparison.
| Aircraft class | Flight time | Estimate one-way | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 0h 52m | $2,000–$3,500 | Best fit |
| Light jet | 0h 42m | $4,000–$6,000 | Direct, no stops |
| Midsize jet | 0h 41m | $5,000–$8,000 | Direct, no stops |
| Super-midsize jet | 0h 40m | $7,000–$10,000 | Direct, no stops |
| Heavy jet | 0h 40m | $9,500–$14,500 | Direct, no stops |
Ballpark per aircraft, not per seat, before federal excise tax and segment fees. Duration covers taxi, climb and descent.
Why this trip suits a turboprop
A turboprop is the practical fit for 161 nm into Nassau. A King Air 350i carries up to 8 passengers on the Miami to Nassau route in about 52 minutes. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX seats 6 and covers the same distance with similar economics. Estimated charter for this class falls between $2,000 and $3,500, so a turboprop on the Miami to Nassau route costs about half a light jet on the same short hop.
If your group is larger or you want a faster climb, then a light jet shaves only minutes off the 161 nm leg while adding cost. Light jets run about $4,000 to $6,000 and midsize about $5,000 to $8,000. A super-midsize or heavy jet makes sense mainly when you are continuing beyond Nassau or carrying more baggage, not for the 185 statute miles from Miami.
Beechcraft King Air 350i
- 8 seats
- 312 kt cruise
- 1,800 nm range
Cabin 4 ft 9 in tall, 16 ft 8 in long. Baggage 55 cu ft.
Pilatus PC-12 NGX
- 6 seats
- 290 kt cruise
- 1,800 nm range
Cabin 4 ft 10 in tall, 16 ft 11 in long. Baggage 40 cu ft.
Leaving Miami
Departures on this route usually go from Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), whose 8,002 ft runway handles the turboprops and light jets that fly this leg most often, or Miami International (KMIA) with its 13,016 ft runway. If an empty leg lists from Opa Locka, then your ground time to the aircraft is shorter than MIA and the FBO fees tend to be lower.
Because this is an international flight, plan on passport checks before boarding and a CBP arrival process in Nassau. Charter brokers arranging Miami to Nassau trips act as agents under DOT Part 295. The flight itself sits with a Part 135 operator that holds operational control and files the manifest with CBP.
Arriving in Nassau
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is the arrival point, with an 11,353 ft runway about 161 nm from Miami. NAS is the main gateway to New Providence Island, so customs and immigration are routine even for small aircraft and the airport handles private jets alongside airline traffic.
From NAS it is a short drive to downtown Nassau, Paradise Island and the Cable Beach hotel strip. When you land behind a bank of airline arrivals, then airport formalities can outlast the 40 minute flight. Summer heat is one more reason to have ground transport arranged before you clear customs.
| Airport | Code | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Lynden Pindling International Airport | MYNN / NAS | 11,353 ft |
| Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport | KOPF / OPF | 8,002 ft |
| Miami International Airport | KMIA / MIA | 13,016 ft |
When empty leg Miami to Nassau prices
Empty legs on this short international pair surface close to the departure date, often within a few days, and they move fast because the operator needs the aircraft somewhere. Most empty leg Miami to Nassau seats appear inside a 72 hour window before departure and are priced to fill the cabin rather than to match a charter rate. If you can travel on short notice, then that is when the value shows up.
Demand peaks around winter holidays, spring break and major Bahamas events, and the return direction tightens when South Florida residents head over for long weekends. Booking a same-day round trip from Miami to Nassau means holding the return before you commit to the outbound. Jet charter prices on this route change with fuel, crew overnight and airport fees, and the cheapest empty legs rarely include a flexible return.
If a seat price looks far below the estimated charter range, then check what it includes: bags, ground transport and the return are often separate. For a fixed date, booking a standard charter a week or more ahead is more reliable than waiting for a seat on a repositioning flight.
Private jet routes similar to Miami to Nassau
These 6 private jet routes span 82 to 279 nautical miles; one-way turboprop estimates run $2,000 to $4,500.
Questions about this route
How long is an empty leg Miami to Nassau flight?
About 40 minutes in a jet and roughly 52 minutes in a turboprop, over 161 nautical miles or 185 statute miles. Taxi, customs and boarding add time at both ends. Plan on a half day door to door, and more if you land at NAS during a busy airline arrival bank.
What does a private jet from Miami to Nassau cost?
Estimated charter prices run about $2,000 to $3,500 for a turboprop, $4,000 to $6,000 for a light jet and $5,000 to $8,000 for a midsize. Heavy jets land near $9,500 to $14,500. Empty leg seats sit below those figures because the flight is happening anyway. All numbers are estimates.
Which airport do flights on the empty leg Miami to Nassau use?
Usually Miami-Opa Locka Executive (KOPF) on the Miami side, with its 8,002 ft runway, and Lynden Pindling International (NAS) in Nassau, with 11,353 ft. Some flights use Miami International (KMIA) and its 13,016 ft runway instead. The field follows wherever the aircraft is repositioning from.
Do I need a passport for this route?
Yes. This is an international flight between the US and the Bahamas, so bring a valid passport for every passenger. The operator files the manifest, and US-bound returns clear CBP. Brokers arranging the trip act as agents under DOT Part 295, and a Part 135 operator holds operational control of the flight.
Can I book a same-day round trip to Nassau?
Sometimes, but it depends on the aircraft returning to Florida. A one-way empty leg leaves you finding your own way back, and a last-minute one-way charter in the other direction can cost more than the deal you took. Ask about the return before you pay for the outbound.
How far in advance do empty legs appear on this route?
Often within 72 hours of departure, because the operator is repositioning and wants the aircraft moved. That leaves little planning time. If you need fixed dates or a larger cabin, then a standard charter booked a week or more ahead is the more reliable option.
How many passengers fit on a turboprop empty leg?
The Beechcraft King Air 350i seats up to 8 passengers and the Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to 6. Both cover the 161 nm route nonstop with baggage space for a short trip. If your group is larger, then a light or midsize jet is the next step up, at higher estimated cost.