Learjet Bombardier Learjet 45

Twin Jet· 398 globally registered

The Learjet 45 marked a significant departure for the storied Wichita manufacturer when it entered service in 1997 as the first all-new Learjet design in more than a decade. Unlike its smaller, faster predecessors in the Learjet 20 and 30 series, the LJ45 prioritized cabin comfort and operating economics over raw speed, introducing a stand-up cabin and double-club seating for eight passengers while retaining the brand's signature handling characteristics. Powered by twin Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofans, the aircraft cruises at Mach 0.81 and reaches a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet, offering transcontinental range of approximately 2,100 nautical miles. The type became particularly popular in the air ambulance and corporate charter markets, where its combination of speed, cabin space, and short-field performance proved ideal for point-to-point missions. The LJ45 spawned the stretched Learjet 40 and the longer-range Learjet 45XR variant before production ended in 2012, but the type remains a workhorse in the light jet category. SkyMeter has tracked 1,157 flights across 304 airframes and 202 operators, with MED AIR LLC the largest observed operator.