Learjet 55

With the Learjet 55 the manufacturer moved from the narrow tube of the Learjet 35 to a wider and taller fuselage: the cabin is 5.08 m long, 1.75 m high and 1.80 m wide. Two Honeywell TFE731 turbofans power it, and the NASA-designed winglets gave the type its nickname Longhorn. Only 147 were built, and the Learjet 60 with a longer fuselage took its place.

Cabin: 1.75 m to the ceiling and seven seats

The cabin of the Learjet 55 holds about 11.5 m³. People up to about 1.70 m walk upright, taller ones stoop a little, and seated passengers have plenty of shoulder room. Most aircraft have four club seats with fold-out tables and three more seats, seven in total. The seats recline but do not turn into beds.

Three versions fly under this name, all with the same cabin:

• 55: the original with analogue instruments.
• 55B: a digital cockpit, better take-off performance and more range.
• 55C: two Delta Fins under the tail for stability and lower take-off and landing speeds; the 55C/ER and 55C/LR carry extra fuel tanks.

Baggage: 1.70 m³ in two places

• Four passengers: large suitcases fit.
• Seven passengers: a medium case and a bag each.
• Skis and golf bags: give their number and the length of the covers with the request.
• Bags in the cabin space stay within reach in flight.

On trips to Spain, Portugal or Greece weight rarely limits the Learjet 55; with a lot of sports equipment the operator may still ask for exact weights.

Speed, altitude and runways

With every seat taken, economy cruise and NBAA IFR reserves the Learjet 55 covers about 3,460 km. We plan non-stop legs of up to 2,900 km, because westbound headwinds and a distant alternate airport take their share.

At full weight and sea level the jet needs about 1,770 m of runway:

• Sion, 2,000 m with a mountain approach: within reach.
• Cannes-Mandelieu, 1,539 m: only lighter and on short legs, so Nice is the usual choice for Cannes.
• Samedan: only with a crew trained for that airport and a lower weight, as the field lies about 1,700 m above sea level.
• Courchevel: the 537 m sloped altiport is far too short and needs a special qualification, so skiers land at Chambéry or Geneva.

Flying an older midsize jet in Europe

Learjet 55 routes from European hubs

One-way prices for the whole aircraft with crew, before airport fees and passenger taxes. Flight time is the great-circle distance at 790 km/h plus half an hour for taxi, climb and approach.

Up to two hours: Alps, Riviera and nearby islands

Two to four hours: Greece, Iberia, Morocco and Cyprus

• From London, Paris, Amsterdam or Hamburg the Learjet 55 reaches Ibiza, Majorca, Olbia and the Riviera non-stop with a full cabin.
• Hamburg to Lisbon (3:17 h), London to Athens (3:35 h) and Larnaca to Geneva (3:49 h) work non-stop; with seven on board, heavy bags and a strong headwind the operator checks the fuel plan first.
• Mykonos gives private aircraft only about 40 minutes of parking in summer, so the jet leaves and comes back for you.
• The Canary Islands from London, Paris or Geneva need a fuel stop or a jet with more range.

The calculator shows an indicative price for the Learjet 55 or a midsize jet of the same class on your route.

What a Learjet 55 charter costs

The rate starts at EUR 4,500 per flight hour for the whole aircraft, with two pilots and fuel, whatever the number of passengers. Paris Le Bourget to Geneva takes 1:01 h yet starts at EUR 8,500, because the quote also covers the operator's minimum charge, positioning and the fixed time for taxi, climb and approach.

On longer legs that share shrinks. A Learjet 55 from London Farnborough to Ibiza (2:16 h) starts at EUR 14,000, Hamburg to Lisbon (3:17 h) at EUR 19,000 and Larnaca to Geneva (3:49 h) at EUR 21,000.

The price is for the aircraft, so the share per person on London Farnborough - Nice falls with every seat taken:

How to pay less

Empty Legs on this type

Empty Legs on the Learjet 55 are rare, as few aircraft fly passenger charter in Europe; most appear in summer between business cities and the Mediterranean. Such a leg can cost 30-60% less than a regular charter, but the date and route are fixed and the operator may cancel it if the aircraft gets a full booking.

Send your route and a date window to empty-legs@jets.flights or via the Empty Legs page, and we search Empty Legs on the Learjet 60 and other midsize jets as well.

Learjet 55 or another jet

When the Learjet 55 is not free, clients most often receive a quote for its successor or a Citation XLS; for a small group, the light Learjet 35.

How to request the aircraft

For a quote we need:

• route, date and departure time;
• number of passengers and baggage, especially skis, golf bags and pets;
• if you accept another jet of the same class.

We check free Learjet 55 aircraft with operators holding an AOC and send prices for a Learjet 60 or another midsize jet based closer. We always try to give both options, but each case depends on the operator's schedule and contract. Within Schengen there is no passport control, yet the operator needs passport or ID details; EU citizens flying to the UK need an ETA.

Learjet 55: questions and answers

• • How much does a Learjet 55 flight cost?

  • From EUR 4,500 per flight hour for the whole aircraft. Geneva to Olbia costs from EUR 10,000, London Farnborough to Nice from EUR 12,000 and Geneva to Lisbon from EUR 15,000 one way, before airport fees and passenger taxes.

• • What makes up the price?

  • Flight time, positioning from the aircraft's base, the pilots' hotel on overnight trips, airport and handling fees, passenger taxes, catering and winter de-icing.

• • How can I fly cheaper?

  • Return the same day if possible, give a time window and let us price a Learjet 60 or Citation XLS based closer: on a short leg positioning often weighs more than the hourly rate.

• • Are there Empty Legs on the Learjet 55?

  • Rarely, as few aircraft fly in Europe. A matching leg can be 30-60% cheaper, but the date is fixed and the operator may cancel it, so we also check other midsize jets.

• • How many passengers fit in a Learjet 55?

  • Usually seven. On legs over two hours four to six people travel more comfortably, with room for bags and reclined seats.

• • Is there a proper toilet?

  • In most aircraft used for passenger charter, yes: an enclosed toilet with a washbasin at the rear. Layouts vary, so we confirm it with the operator before you book.

• • How far does it fly without a stop?

  • About 3,778 km with four passengers and about 3,460 km with every seat taken. London to Athens and Larnaca to Geneva are non-stop; the Canary Islands from London need a fuel stop.

• • Can we bring skis and the dog?

  • Skis fit for four or five people if you give the number of pairs and the cover length. A dog flies in the cabin once the operator agrees, with a microchip, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination at least 21 days old; the UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway also require tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before entry.

• • Can it land at Sion or Cannes?

  • Sion yes: the Learjet 55 needs about 1,770 m at full weight, and Sion has 2,000 m. Cannes-Mandelieu, with 1,539 m, works only lighter and on short legs, so Nice is the usual choice.