The Most Flown Learjet Private Jets

In 1962, when William Lear moved to Wichita, Kansas, where major aircraft companies were located, Lear Jet Corporation arose. Lear started specializing in executive planes, building one of the first private jets in the US. Lear’s first prototype was the

LearJet 23
, which first flew in October 1963 and was certified the following year. Due to aircraft well performance and high market demand, 19 LearJet 23 were flying across the US by the end of 1965.

At a later stage, the Learjet 24 was an upgraded version of the Learjet 23. Learjet built 259 LJ24 between 1966 and 1977, featuring additional cabin pressurization and an additional window on the right side of the cabin. It was followed by the Learjet 25, which is 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m) longer than the Model 24, adding three extra passengers.

Photo: Steven Byles | Flickr

Moving forward, the Learjet 35, a series of business jets and transport aircraft, was released in 1973. It featured better handling than previous models. It was among the fastest medium-haul jets of its era, leading many nations to purchase it as their primary or secondary presidential jet. The aircraft was also used in the military.

In 1990, Bombardier Aerospace, a prominent Canadian aircraft manufacturer, acquired Learjet as its renowned light jet manufacturer. This enabled Bombardier to successfully tap into the niche market of light business jets, leveraging Learjet’s iconic brand name. The merger helped Bombardier compete with Gulfstream and Textron. It also provided Learjet with financial stability and enabled the development of new models under the Bombardier Learjet family.

Bombardier Learjet
designed more than seven models, including the 40, 45, and 60 models. These models represent a lineage of iconic mid-size business jets known for their speed and performance until 2021 when Bombardier announced the end of producing new Learjet aircraft. The Learjet 40 and 45 offered efficient travel for smaller groups, while the Learjet 60 provided increased cabin space and range for longer journeys.

The Learjets with the most flight hours

Learjet aircraft are used for various missions across America, including transporting corporate executives and personnel between business facilities. The world’s largest retailer, Walmart, operates five Learjet 40s and nine Learjet 45s. Top Aces of Montreal uses four Learjet 35As for electronic warfare, naval gunnery, and radar training.

Top Aces Inc. is an advanced airborne training contractor based in Montreal, Quebec. It primarily provides training services to the Canadian Armed Forces, German Unified Armed Forces, United States Air Force, and other NATO members.

Learjets have been used for air ambulance operations, with aircraft configured as flying intensive care units for decades. They are operated as air ambulances with stretchers, ventilators, and defibrillators. Redstar Aviation operates Learjet 45XRs for air medical charters. The jets are also popular for leisure travel, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, with holiday-related flights increasing charter revenues.

The Learjet 35 ascended to become the best-selling plane

The Learjet 35 was manufactured from 1973 to 1994, even after Bombardier acquired Learjet. Bombardier continued production for four years post-acquisition, ensuring the Learjet 35 remained competitive in the business jet market. A total of 738 units were built during its production.

Since its first flight on August 22, 1973, business executives and celebrities have favored the

Learjet 35
. Notable users include Arnold Palmer and Frank Sinatra. The aircraft was adopted by several nations for official and military purposes, including the United States Air Force as the C-21A, the Finnish Air Force for Cold War surveillance, and Argentina during the Falklands War.

It can carry up to eight passengers and is 13 inches longer than the Model 25, giving more space. The 35A is an upgraded version 35 powered by two TFE731-2-2B engines. It first flew in 1976. Aside from turbofans, the 35 featured stretch and five windows, with an additional one on the right side of the fuselage instead of four.

The Learjet 35 has smaller fuel tanks than the longer-range 36, which can only seat up to six, as both types share the same maximum takeoff weight. The 35 and 36 were certificated in July 1974. Modifying the two models showed the 35A and 36A from 1976, with higher standard max takeoff weights. Both models remained in production until 1994.

The Learjet C-21A twin turbofan-engine aircraft, a military version of the Learjet 35A business jet, provided airlift for passengers and 3,153 pounds of cargo. It could transport one litter patient or five ambulatory patients during evacuations. The small size allowed for quick and cost-effective travel. It is designed with turbofan engines, pod-mounted on the sides of the rear fuselage, and fuel tanks fixed on the wingtip.

Photo: Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp | US Air Force

The aircraft featured an easy operation with two crew members, a pilot, and a copilot while aligning with typical business jet configurations. It is equipped with two Garrett TFE731-2-2B turbofans; this engine ensured reliability while more fuel-efficient turbofan engines in the 1970s. The engines were installed in multiple aircraft, such as Learjets 55 and 60, Dassault Falcon jets, and other business and regional aircraft.

Feature	Specifications
Maximum Speed	471 knots (542 MPH, 872 km/h)
Cruise Speed	418 knots (481 MPH, 774 km/h)
Range	2,857 NM (3,288 mi, 5,291 km)
Empty Weight	9,154 lb (4,152 kg)
Max Takeoff Weight	18,000 lb (8,165 kg)
Fuel Capacity	1,110 gallons (4,200 liters)
Engines	2 × Garrett TFE731-2-2B turbofans

The active Learjet 45 series

The Learjet 45 is a popular choice in the industry for executive travel, short to medium-haul routes, official transport, and special missions. The first customer aircraft was delivered in January 1998. Introduced as a premier business jet under Bombardier’s ownership, the Learjet 45 was manufactured from 1995 to 2012. It marked a significant milestone as the first clean-sheet design.

Photo: Apollo Jets

According to Rzjets, a total of 592 frames were built for the Learjet 45/40 series. The aircraft has been operated by a wide range of operators, including private individuals, corporations, charter companies, and government entities (like the Mexican Navy, Airwing A.S., and Redstar Aviation).

The jet has a spacious cabin with double club seating, a galley, and a full-width aft lavatory with eight windows on each side. It also has the direct operating costs of a light jet, like a Cessna Citation II. However, it flies at a more elevated ceiling of 51,000 feet, faster 464 knots (534 MPH, 861 km/h), and has a further range of 2,032 NM (2,339 mi, 3,764 km).

Photo: Duncan Aviation

Bombardier delivered the Learjet 45XR in 2004. The aircraft features a 1,000-pound increase in maximum takeoff weight, slightly more fuel capacity, and a pair of Honeywell

TFE731-20-BR engines, improving its performance. Its payload can carry up to 500 pounds of baggage in the nose and aft hold.

Attribute	Details
Capacity	9 passengers
Length	58 ft (17.68 m)
Wingspan	47 ft 10 in (14.58 m)
Height	14 ft 1 in (4.30 m)
Empty Weight	12,850 lb (5,829 kg)
Max Takeoff Weight	21,500 lb (9,752 kg)
Engine	2 × Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofan

The 58 ft (17.68 m) aircraft is compact and spacious, ideal for smaller airports. Its height of 14 ft 1 in (4.30 m) ensures sufficient cabin space without compromising aerodynamic efficiency. With a capacity of 9 passengers, it caters to small groups, making it ideal for corporate or private travel, emphasizing comfort and convenience.

The Learjet 45 XR is an upgraded version of the Learjet 45. Its optimized range makes it ideal for medical missions and business travel. With outstanding performance and improved systems, the XR is a top contender for high-performing and cost-effective aircraft in different missions.

Photo: Redstar Aviation

On the other hand, on 20 Mar 03, it was grounded for around a month. The FAA responded to the near loss of control of VH-SQR, a Singapore Flying College Lear 45, in Brisbane, Australia, with an AD designed to rectify a jackscrew failure, which caused primary and secondary load paths to fail.

The Learjet Model 75, introduced in 2012, is a modernized version of the Model 45XR, featuring modern engines, Garmin 5000 avionics, and more efficient winglets.

More leading Learjets in the skies

The Learjet 60 is widely employed by private charters, corporate, and fractional jet ownership programs; its budget of around $5,035 per hour makes it ideal for executives or small groups traveling regionally or intercontinental, carrying eight passengers onboard with a maximum range of 2,410 NM (2,773 mi, 4,463 km).

In the Americas, Argentina and Colombia use Learjet 60s for local operations and official transport. The Argentinian Government uses one for local operations, and the Colombian Air Force uses it for VIP transport. The Mexican Navy also utilizes the LJ 60, extending its applications to military and naval operations. The aircraft also flies in the US and Europe.

Bombardier has delivered its final Lear aircraft, a Learjet 75, after 60 years of Learjet production. The move follows Bombardier’s decision to focus on larger, more profitable business jets. The company’s Learjet 85, an advanced aircraft, was canceled in 2015 due to delays and production problems. The last Learjet 75 was delivered on 28 March 2022.