Learjet 45
The Learjet 45 is a midsize jet seating eight passengers with a range of 2,120 nautical miles at 465 knots and a 51,000-foot service ceiling. The 19.8-foot cabin is 5.1 feet wide and 4.9 feet tall, with an enclosed lavatory and Wi-Fi. Against midsize category averages, the 45 is faster (465 vs 452 ktas avg) and reaches higher (51,000ft vs the category's typical 45,000ft), though the cabin is narrower than average (5.1ft vs 5.6ft avg).
Of the 81 US Part 135 aircraft across 42 operators, medical transport accounts for a disproportionate share: MEDWAY Air Ambulance (8 aircraft), REVA Inc. (4), and OMNI Air Transport (3) alone represent 18.5% of the fleet. The Learjet 45's combination of speed, 51,000-foot ceiling, and used acquisition prices below $1.5 million makes it common in air medical charter, where reducing flight time is a clinical priority. Ten active empty legs are typically listed at any time.
Charter rates run approximately $3,500 to $4,500 per hour. Used Learjet 45 aircraft trade from $700,000 to $1.5 million depending on year and total time; 45XR models command a modest premium for the improved hot-and-high performance.
Specs at a glance
Interior & cabin
| Passengers | 8 |
| Cabin length | 19.8 ft |
| Cabin width | 5.1 ft |
| Cabin height | 4.9 ft |
| Baggage volume | 65 cu ft |
| Lavatory | Fully enclosed |
| Galley | No |
| Wi-Fi | Available on most aircraft |
| Cabin floor | Drop aisle |
At 4.9 ft of cabin height, the Learjet 45 is a sit-down jet. Expect to duck moving between seats. A fully enclosed lavatory makes it workable for longer legs. Connectivity varies by tail — most operators in this fleet have at least one Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft, but confirm before booking if you need to work in the air.
Operator floor plans vary. Some Learjet 45 cabins are configured with a divan that drops the headcount by one or two seats; confirm the layout with the operator before booking.
Range & performance
| Range | 2,120 nm |
| Max cruise | 465 ktas |
| Typical cruise | ~395 ktas |
| Service ceiling | 51,000 ft |
2,120 nm covers most US domestic missions. Coast-to-coast with one stop, transcontinental city pairs east of the Rockies non-stop.
Distances are real great-circle nautical miles from the selected hub. Angular positions are spaced for readability, not actual bearings. Range envelope assumes no wind and a full passenger load.
Charter cost per hour
Charter the Learjet 45 at roughly $4,500–$7,500 per flight hour, depending on how far ahead you book. Midsize jets like this carry 7–9 passengers; the per-seat math improves sharply as you fill the cabin.
Rates are flight-hour pricing. Total cost depends on round-trip vs. one-way, positioning, fuel surcharges, and taxes (~15% on top of base). Run the math on your trip →
History
Bombardier launched the Learjet 45 development program in 1989, targeting a midsize cabin to replace the narrower Learjet 35/36 series while holding operating costs below the heavy jet category. The prototype flew on October 7, 1995, the 32nd anniversary of the original Learjet 23's first flight. FAA certification followed in September 1997, and customer deliveries began in mid-1998. Production peaked at 71 aircraft in the year 2000; the 200th aircraft was delivered in May 2002.
The Learjet 45XR replaced the base model in 2004 with Honeywell TFE731-20BR engines flat-rated to 3,500 pounds of thrust at temperatures up to 104°F, substantially improving hot-and-high field performance from airports like Phoenix and Denver in summer. Total production across both variants exceeded 450 aircraft. Bombardier ended production as the Learjet 75 and 75 Liberty superseded the 45 series; the entire Learjet line was discontinued in February 2022.
Ideal For
- Air medical, medevac, and critical care transport where 465-knot cruise reduces time on transport and the 51,000-foot ceiling helps route around weather
- Six to eight passengers on transcontinental routes up to 2,000nm: Dallas to New York (1,390nm), Los Angeles to Seattle (960nm), Miami to Chicago (1,190nm)
- Operators and charter customers who prioritize speed and ceiling over cabin width; the 51,000-foot altitude produces smooth rides above most weather systems
- Charter customers cross-shopping the Citation Excel or Hawker 800XP who want higher speed and altitude at a lower per-hour rate
- 45XR specifically for operations from hot, high, or short-field airports where the flat-rated engine sustains full thrust in summer heat
Learjet 45 vs Midsize Average
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charter a Learjet 45?
Charter rates run approximately $3,500 to $4,500 per hour. A three-hour flight from New York to Miami typically totals $12,000 to $16,000 before taxes and positioning fees. The 45XR may run slightly higher than a base 45 model depending on operator and interior condition.
What is the difference between the Learjet 45 and Learjet 45XR?
The 45XR, introduced in 2004, replaced the standard 45 in production with Honeywell TFE731-20BR engines flat-rated to 3,500 lbs of thrust at 104°F. The upgrade improves departure performance from hot or high airports in summer conditions. Range, cruise speed, and cabin dimensions are unchanged. For charter purposes, both models deliver identical passenger experience; the XR is preferable for departures from airports above 3,000 feet or in hot climates.
How does the Learjet 45 compare to the Citation Excel?
The Learjet 45 is faster (465 vs 430 ktas) and reaches 51,000 feet versus the Excel's 45,000-foot ceiling. The Citation Excel has a wider, flat-floor cabin (5.5ft wide vs 5.1ft; 5.7ft tall vs 4.9ft) that is easier to move through with four or more passengers. Both seat eight. The Excel is the better choice for cabin comfort on longer flights; the 45 is better when speed or ceiling matters most.
Why do so many medical operators fly the Learjet 45?
Speed and acquisition cost are the main factors. At 465 knots with a 51,000-foot ceiling, the 45 covers most US routes in two to three hours. Used aircraft trade below $1.5 million, making them accessible for air medical programs that need a pressurized jet for critical care transport without heavy-jet operating costs. The TFE731 engines are well-supported with a broad global service network.
How does the Learjet 45 compare to the Hawker 800XP?
The Learjet 45 is faster (465 vs 412 ktas) and reaches higher (51,000 vs 45,000ft). The Hawker 800XP has a noticeably wider cabin (6.0ft vs 5.1ft) and longer interior (21.5ft vs 19.8ft), which passengers on routes over two hours typically prefer. Both seat eight. The Learjet suits speed-critical operations; the Hawker suits longer flights where cabin comfort outweighs the speed difference.
Available Empty Legs on Learjet 45s
Learjet 45s for Charter (82) Page 2 of 2
Where Learjet 45s actually fly
ADS-B-tracked flights from the trailing 90 days. Numbers cover aircraft on our charter database; private corporate fleets and operators using PIA registration are not in this count. Methodology →
Top routes
Busiest origins
| Chicago (KMDW) | 178 |
| Houston (KHOU) | 130 |
| Chicago/West Chicago (KDPA) | 104 |
| Detroit (KYIP) | 100 |
| Fort Lauderdale (KFXE) | 91 |
| Denver (KAPA) | 81 |
| Lawrenceville (KLZU) | 80 |
| Dallas (KADS) | 77 |
| Nashville (KBNA) | 56 |
| Dallas (KDAL) | 55 |
Most active operators
| Operator | Aircraft | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| MEDWAY AIR AMBULANCE LLC | 8 | 739 |
| Kalitta Charters LLC | 6 | 399 |
| Jet Logistics, Inc. | 2 | 272 |
| REVA, Inc. | 3 | 236 |
| Houston Jet Direct Management and Charter, Inc. | 3 | 176 |
| JetRight Aerospace Holdings, LLC | 3 | 174 |
| The FlightStar Corporation | 2 | 154 |
| CAPITAL JET INC | 3 | 134 |
| JET AMERICA INC | 2 | 126 |
| Sky Quest LLC | 1 | 124 |
Comparable aircraft
Same category, similar mission profile. The framing below summarizes how each one differs from the Learjet 45 on the dimensions that matter most.