For Bahamas travelers stepping up from a turboprop, a very light jet buys speed and altitude without a large jump in cost. The Eclipse 500 is a practical fit for a small party crossing to the islands together.
Eclipse Aviation / Eclipse Aerospace built the Eclipse 500 from 2006 to 2008. Length_ft estimated from secondary source (overall fuselage). Every Eclipse 500 we arrange flies with an operator certified under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Very Light Jet
- Manufacturer: Eclipse Aviation / Eclipse Aerospace
- Year introduced: 2006-2008
- Seating: 4 to 5
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Range: 1,125 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 369 knots
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 33.1 feet
- Wingspan: 37.9 feet
- Height: 11 feet
- Baggage volume: 16 cubic feet
Why the Eclipse 500 Fits the Bahamas
It climbs above most weather quickly, which makes the crossing more comfortable than a turboprop on a rough day.
Baggage capacity is the usual limit rather than seats, so tell us what is traveling with you.
The published 1,125 nautical miles covers Washington DC, Philadelphia, and St Maarten nonstop out of Nassau once you allow for winds and reserves. Real-world range moves with payload, temperature, and winds, so the operator checks it against your specific trip.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Eclipse 500 run $2,500 to $3,500 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Other Very Light Jets Available
The full very light jets category page lists every very light jet we arrange for Bahamas trips.
Contact
For a quote on a Eclipse 500 charter to or from the Bahamas, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or visit our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.