learjet-55

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Learjet 55 Midsize Jet Specifications and Charter Rates

The Learjet 55 is a sophisticated midsize business jet designed for discerning travelers seeking premium comfort and reliable performance. With seating for up to eight passengers, it delivers exceptional speed, a spacious cabin, and a smooth ride at cruise speeds near 530 mph, covering distances up to 2,100 nautical miles with ease.


This model has established itself as a favorite among executives and private flyers who require a blend of luxury, privacy, and efficiency. On this page, you'll find detailed specifications, cabin amenities, range maps, charter pricing, and key answers to the most common questions when booking the Learjet 55 for your next journey.

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Learjet 55 Overview

The Learjet 55 sits proudly in the midsize jet segment, balancing performance, comfort, and value for both business and leisure travelers. It typically accommodates eight passengers in a club seating configuration, blending executive style with a sense of exclusivity and space. Powered by two Garrett TFE731-3A-2B turbofan engines, the Learjet 55 reaches a cruising altitude of 51,000 feet, allowing it to bypass commercial congestion and weather for an ultra-smooth flight.


Efficiency is a hallmark of the Learjet 55. This jet’s fuel economy and operational flexibility make it a go-to for time-sensitive itineraries, with nimble handling and access to a wide selection of airports, including those with shorter runways.


Operators appreciate its robust reliability and streamlined maintenance, which translates into high availability for charters. For clients, this means a proven, refined jet that delivers premium travel experiences at a competitive price point, ideal for regional and coast-to-coast missions within the U.S.

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Learjet 55 Specifications

The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

Aircraft class:

Midsize Jet

Passenger capacity:

Up to 7 (typical), 8 maximum

Crew:

2 pilots

Range:

Approximately 2491 nautical miles (around 2860 statute miles)

High-speed cruise:

460 knots (about 530 mph)

Long-range cruise:

Approximately 420 knots

Service ceiling:

51000 fee

Engines:

Two Garrett TFE731-3A-2B turbofans

Thrust:

Roughly 3700 lbf per engine

Takeoff distance:

About 5600 feet

Landing distance:

About 2800 feet

Average fuel burn:

Around 254 gallons per hour

Baggage capacity:

Approximately 60 cubic feet

First delivered:

Late 1970s

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The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

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Learjet 55 Range and Performance

With an operational range of approximately 2,100 nautical miles, the Learjet 55 comfortably covers a variety of regional and cross-country routes without the need for a fuel stop. This includes direct flights such as Miami to New York, Chicago to Dallas, or Los Angeles to Vancouver, all on a single tank with reserves. | For longer coast-to-coast routes like Los Angeles to New York, the Learjet 55 can often complete the journey with a light passenger load and favorable winds, though a brief technical stop may be required when flying at full capacity, as is typical for jets in this class. | A high-speed cruise of 530 mph guarantees swift travel, while its 51,000-foot ceiling lets passengers soar above turbulence and air traffic for a tranquil experience. Its engines provide confident climb rates, and its takeoff roll of about 5,600 feet means access to a broad selection of airports, including those that are more convenient to your final destination than major airline hubs. | For busy travelers, this translates to significant time savings and a seamless journey that commercial schedules cannot match.

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Learjet 55 Cabin Experience and Interior

The Learjet 55’s cabin is designed to maximize both comfort and functionality, offering a stand-up height of nearly 5 feet 8 inches and a width of approximately 5.9 feet. Passengers can move freely during flight, making the cabin feel open and inviting even on longer trips. | The aircraft’s standard double-club seating arrangement provides plush executive seats, complemented by fold-out tables and ample natural light from large panoramic windows. A private aft lavatory ensures discretion and comfort, while updated models feature modern upholstery, inflight WiFi, and entertainment upgrades for a personalized experience. | With a generous 60 cubic feet of baggage space, there’s ample room for golf clubs, skis, or multi-day luggage for a full group. Whether flying for business or leisure, the refined, quiet cabin transforms every journey into an enjoyable, productive escape.

Learjet 55 Charter Cost and Hourly Rates

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Chartering a Learjet 55 typically runs in the range of $3500 to $4500 per flight hour, though the figure you are quoted depends on several factors. Rates move with the route, the season, repositioning (or ferry) time, airport fees, crew costs, and how a specific aircraft is equipped. Peak travel periods and one-way trips that leave an aircraft far from its base tend to sit at the higher end, while round trips and flights that align with an operator's existing schedule can come in lower.

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It also helps to understand how charter pricing is structured. Most quotes are built around occupied flight hours plus those repositioning costs, landing and handling fees, taxes, and crew expenses. Because Jettly is a charter marketplace rather than an aircraft operator, you can compare live quotes from multiple FAA Part 135 and book the option that fits your route and budget.

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Empty-leg flights, the discounted repositioning trips that operators are keen to fill, can also bring the cost of a Learjet 55 down significantly when the timing works in your favor. For an exact, current price on your specific trip, request a quote, and you will see real availability rather than an estimate.

Who Should Charter the Learjet 55?

The Learjet 55 fits a wide set of missions, which is part of why it stays busy. It is a strong match for:

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Small executive teams traveling together to a meeting, site visit, or conference

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Regional and many transcontinental business trips that need to be completed in a single day

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Families or groups of up to eight heading to a vacation or event

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Travelers carrying bulkier baggage, such as golf clubs or ski gear

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Anyone who values flexible airport access and a stand-up cabin over the lowest possible price

While the Learjet 55 is not intended for ultra-long international flights or transoceanic journeys, where a super-midsize or large jet is preferred, it is the ideal choice for groups of four to eight passengers seeking premium comfort and efficiency for regional or domestic travel. For those who value time, privacy, and a smooth onboard experience, the Learjet 55 is a standout in its category.

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How the Learjet 55 Compares to Other Midsize Jet

The Learjet 55 was introduced in the late 1970s as a bold evolution in the renowned Learjet series, bringing together speed, range, and luxury in a single midsize jet. Designed by Bill Lear, the aircraft was a step forward from earlier Learjet models, with a stretched fuselage, larger cabin, and improved aerodynamics for enhanced comfort and efficiency.


Equipped with cutting-edge avionics and the latest in safety and performance technology of its era, the Learjet 55 quickly won favor among executive travelers and charter operators alike. Over its production run, it inspired a lineage of upgraded successors, including the 55B and 55C, which further refined its winning formula.


Today, the Learjet 55 remains a trusted workhorse in the midsize jet market, valued for its reliability, luxurious appointments, and enduring appeal among private flyers who demand the best in every aspect of their travel experience.

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Learjet 55 History and Background

The Learjet 55 was introduced in the late 1970s as a bold evolution in the renowned Learjet series, bringing together speed, range, and luxury in a single midsize jet. Designed by Bill Lear, the aircraft was a step forward from earlier Learjet models, with a stretched fuselage, larger cabin, and improved aerodynamics for enhanced comfort and efficiency.


Equipped with cutting-edge avionics and the latest in safety and performance technology of its era, the Learjet 55 quickly won favor among executive travelers and charter operators alike. Over its production run, it inspired a lineage of upgraded successors, including the 55B and 55C, which further refined its winning formula.


Today, the Learjet 55 remains a trusted workhorse in the midsize jet market, valued for its reliability, luxurious appointments, and enduring appeal among private flyers who demand the best in every aspect of their travel experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Passengers Can the Learjet 55 Carry?

The Learjet 55 is configured to seat up to eight passengers in a refined executive layout, typically featuring a double-club arrangement. This setup is perfect for both business groups and families seeking privacy and comfort during flight.

What Is the Range of the Learjet 55?

The Learjet 55 has a range of approximately 2491 nautical miles, or roughly 2860 statute miles. That is enough to fly most regional routes and many transcontinental trips nonstop, with the longest coast-to-coast legs occasionally needing a brief fuel stop depending on winds and load.

How Fast Does the Learjet 55 Fly?

Its high-speed cruise is 460 knots (about 530 mph), with a long-range cruise near 420 knots. The aircraft's 51000-foot service ceiling lets it fly above most weather and traffic for a smoother, more direct trip.

How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Learjet 55?

Charter rates generally fall between roughly $3500 and $4500 per flight hour, depending on the route, season, repositioning, and fees. Because Jettly is a marketplace, you can compare live quotes from multiple Part 135 operators and book the best option for your trip; empty-leg flights can lower the cost further.

Does the Hawker Learjet 55 Have a Stand-up Cabin?

Yes. The Learjet 55 features a nearly stand-up cabin with a height of about 5 feet 8 inches and a width approaching 6 feet, allowing easy movement throughout the flight. The aircraft also offers a private rear lavatory and spacious baggage area of roughly 60 cubic feet.

Is the Learjet 55 Good for Transcontinental Flights?

For many cross-country trips across the U.S., the Learjet 55 can complete routes like Los Angeles to New York in favorable conditions, though a full passenger load or adverse weather may require a short fuel stop—standard for midsize jets on longer domestic journeys.

Jettly gives you access to a global marketplace of more than 23,000 aircraft, including Learjet 55 jets operated by vetted FAA Part 135 Part 135 carriers. Compare live quotes, check real availability, and book with full concierge support, whether you are planning a single regional hop or a recurring travel schedule.

Enter your route and dates to get instant pricing on the Learjet 55, or speak with our team about empty-leg deals and membership options that can bring your cost per trip down even further.

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