The Learjet 55 brought a stand-up cabin to the Learjet line and remains a value entry into the Los Angeles midsize market. Eight to ten seats, 402 knots and 2,165 nautical miles, at a number that undercuts most of this category.
Bombardier‘s Learjet 55, the Longhorn, paired the Learjet 35’s fuselage cross-section with a taller cabin and winglets. Eight to ten seats, 402 knots and 2,165 nautical miles of range.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Midsize Jet
- Manufacturer: Learjet (Bombardier)
- Year introduced: 1981
- Seating: 8 to 10
- Crew: 2
- Range: 2,165 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 402 knots
- Service ceiling: 51,000 feet
- Length: 55.1 feet
- Wingspan: 43.8 feet
- Height: 14.7 feet
- Baggage volume: 60 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Learjet 55 Fits Los Angeles
Ten seats at a midsize entry price is the reason this aircraft still gets booked out of Los Angeles. A sports or production group heading to Denver, Phoenix or Dallas fits on one aircraft at a number that a Hawker 850XP would not match.
At 402 knots it is slow for a Learjet and slow for this category, so the time advantage the badge implies is not really there. On a Los Angeles to Chicago leg a Citation VII will be on the ground meaningfully earlier.
The cabin is stand-up but still narrow, and baggage is limited by the standards of the Hawkers. For ten passengers with luggage out of Van Nuys we would price a Falcon 20 alongside it.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Learjet 55 run $4,000 to $5,200 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Learjet 55 quotes at the bottom of the midsize band, and with nine or ten passengers out of Los Angeles it is one of the lowest costs per seat in the category.
Other Midsize Jets Available
- Cessna Citation Excel / XLS
- Cessna Citation III
- Cessna Citation VII
- Embraer Legacy 450
- Falcon 20
- Gulfstream G100 / G150 / IAI Astra SPX
The full midsize jets category page lists every midsize jet we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Learjet 55 charter in or out of Los Angeles, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.