Learjet 45 vs Learjet 55

The Learjet 55 (1980) and Learjet 45 (1998) share nothing but the name and the spirit of flying fast. The Learjet 55 was the first large-cabin Learjet — an intentional departure from the brand's small-and-fast heritage — with a stretched fuselage (approximately 5'1" of headroom — generous by Learjet standards, 9-seat capacity), Garrett TFE731-3B-100B engines, and a range around 2,100 nm. It set Learjet on a path toward competing with the Falcon 50 and Hawker 700 in the medium cabin segment. The 45 arrived eighteen years later with a more modern fuselage, better avionics, and Honeywell engines — but with a cabin that's actually modestly smaller than the 55's. The cross-shop is old large-cabin versus new smaller-but-younger.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Learjet 45
For sale now
75
Median asking
$2,347,500
Range
$1,796,750–$6,475,000
Model years available
1999–2012
Learjet 55
For sale now
13
Model years available
1981–1990

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Learjet 45Learjet 55
All events1614
Serious10
Fatal34
Fatalities1518
% Fatal19%29%
View full Learjet 45 NTSB record →View full Learjet 55 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Learjet 45 Learjet 55
Learjet 45
View 65 listings →
Median $2,347,500
 Learjet 55
View 11 listings →
Median $745,000
Price Range $1,796,750 – $6,475,000 $484,500 – $1,065,000
Category Light Jet Midsize Jet
Model Specifications
Seats 9 10
Cruise Speed 438 kts (811 km/h) 430 kts (796 km/h)
Range 2,120 nm (3,926 km) 1,850 nm (3,426 km)
Service Ceiling 51,000 ft (15,545 m) 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
Max Gross Weight 21,500 lbs (9,752 kg) 21,500 lbs (9,752 kg)
Useful Load 5,200 lbs (2,359 kg) 5,200 lbs (2,359 kg)
Fuel Capacity 575.0 gal (2176 L) 530.0 gal (2006 L)
Fuel Burn 170.0 GPH (643 L/h) 165.0 GPH (625 L/h)
TBO 5,000 hrs 5,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $400,000 $400,000
Annual Fixed $350,000 $350,000
Hourly Variable $2,500 $2,600
Engines 2 x Turbofan 2 x Turbofan

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Learjet 45

Fuel$935/hr
Variable$2,500/hr
Annual Fixed$350,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $850,000/yr

Learjet 55

Fuel$908/hr
Variable$2,600/hr
Annual Fixed$350,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $870,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Learjet 45 or Learjet 55?

Bottom line: Choose the Learjet 55 for stand-up cabin access — the 55's approximately 5'1" cabin height lets shorter adults stand without the full crouch of a traditional Learjet — a real comfort differentiator the 45 cannot match. For executive transport where appearance and passenger experience matter, the 55's larger cabin presence is real. Choose the Learjet 45 for a more modern aircraft with better avionics, stronger engine support, and a newer design philosophy that reflects late-1990s certification standards rather than 1980 ones. The 45's Honeywell TFE731-20 engines also have a broader current-support ecosystem than the 55's Garrett TFE731-3. Safety axis: the Learjet 45's 1998 design incorporates crew-alerting standards and avionics integration that simply weren't required in 1980. Both require type ratings; both demand current proficiency. The 55's age means airframe inspection discipline — structural compliance for any 40+ year-old jet requires thorough pre-purchase review.

Pick the 45 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$2500/hr vs $2600/hr.
  • Faster cruise — 438 kts vs 430 kts.
  • Longer range — 2120 nm vs 1850 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1997 vs 1981.
  • More inventory — 65 listings vs 11.

Pick the 55 if…

  • Budget matters — from $484,500 vs $1,796,750, you save ~$1,312,250.
  • More seats — 10 vs 9.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Learjet 55 have stand-up headroom?
Partially. The Learjet 55's cabin height is approximately 5 feet 1 inch — a genuine step up from the cramped crouch of earlier Learjets, but not full walk-around headroom by Citation or Hawker standards. Passengers under about 5'5" can stand comfortably; taller passengers duck slightly. The "stand-up cabin" marketing reflected Learjet's departure from its traditional low-profile fuselage, not head-clearing headroom absolute. The Learjet 45, by contrast, offers no meaningful standing room.
What replaced the Learjet 55 in the Bombardier lineup?
The Learjet 55 evolved into the Learjet 60 (Pratt & Whitney PW305A engines, improved range) and was eventually supplanted in the large-cabin Learjet role by the 60 and later the Learjet 75 Liberty. The Learjet 55's design philosophy — large-cabin for the Learjet brand — informed the entire subsequent Learjet lineage.
Is the Learjet 55 still a viable business tool?
For the right operator with the right maintenance support, yes. The Learjet 55 requires more proactive structural and systems management than a younger aircraft, and buyers should specifically audit engine program enrollment, avionics upgrade status, and the overall "cost to bring current" before acquiring one. A Learjet 55 that has been well-maintained and avionics-upgraded represents a compelling value in the stand-up-cabin segment, but a neglected example can be an expensive project.
Which is better, Learjet 45 or Learjet 55?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 45 cruises at 438 kts with 2,120 nm range. The 55 cruises at 430 kts with 1,850 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Learjet 45: from $3,995,000. Learjet 55: from $465,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Learjet 45 and Learjet 55?
45 engine: Garrett TFE731-20-AR. 55 engine: Garrett TFE731-3A-2B. Seats: 9 vs 10. Cruise: 438 vs 430 kts. Range: 2120 vs 1850 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
45: about $2500/hr variable cost. 55: about $2600/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
45: 9 seats / 5,200 lb useful load. 55: 10 seats / 5,200 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
45: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$400,000. 55: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$400,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data