Ownership Cost
Bombardier Learjet 55 Ownership Cost: A Complete Guide
Discover the complete breakdown of Learjet 55 ownership cost, from acquisition and maintenance to operating expenses.
BenedictPrivate Aviation ConsultantUpdated December 12, 2024 · Published November 18, 2024 · 3 min read
Owning a Learjet 55 is a big investment, therefore, it is important to know the cost to own and operate the aircraft.
The Learjet 55 can carry 7 passengers and 2 crew members. It has over 400 cubic feet of cabin space. It’s fast, reaching speeds of 490 knots, thanks to its powerful engines.
This guide will help you understand the costs of owning a Learjet 55. It covers the initial cost, ongoing expenses, and other important factors.
Whether you’re a seasoned jet owner or new to private aviation, this guide will give you a detailed look at the Learjet 55’s costs.
Key Takeaways
- The Learjet 55 typically accommodates 7 passengers and has space for around 6 suitcases.
- Nearly 150 Learjet 55 jets were delivered until production ceased in 1993.
- The Learjet 55 is powered by two Honeywell TFE731-3A-2B turbofan engines with 3,700 pounds of thrust.
- Flown 200 hours a year, CRAFT estimates the Learjet 55 costs about $1,489,231 a year to own and operate: $618,231 in fixed costs plus $4,355 a flight hour.
Understanding Learjet 55 Performance and Specifications
The Learjet 55 is known for its impressive performance. It can fly up to 1,950 nautical miles, making long trips easy. It also reaches speeds of 490 knots, beating others like the Falcon 20 and Hawker 800.
The Learjet 55 needs a runway of 2,800 feet to land, under FAR-91 rules. For FAR-135 rules, it needs 3,500 feet.
It can carry 2,450 pounds and has a maximum takeoff weight of 21,500 pounds. The cabin is spacious, measuring 16’7″ long, 5’9″ wide, and 5’7″ high, with a total volume of 532 cubic feet.
The Learjet 55’s fuel use and range are impressive. It has two engines, each with 3,700 pounds of thrust.
It can fly up to 51,000 feet and climb at 4,059 feet per minute. Its performance and range make it a great choice for private flights.
Initial Investment and Acquisition Costs
Private jet ownership comes with big upfront costs. The Learjet 55 is a top choice, priced between $1.5 million and $3 million for a used model.
This makes it more affordable than the Hawker 800 but pricier than the Falcon 20.
The Learjet 55 loses value at about $60,000 each year. This affects the yearly cost of owning one. The price can go up to $4 million, depending on the aircraft’s age, condition, and any upgrades. These costs add up to a significant financial commitment for Learjet 55 owners.
| Cost Metric | Range |
|---|---|
| Learjet 55 Acquisition Cost | $1.5 million to $3 million (used market) |
| Learjet 55 Depreciation Rate | Approximately $60,000 per year |
| Learjet 55 Maximum Acquisition Cost | Up to $4 million (new) |
Learjet 55 Ownership Cost and Operating Expenses
Flown 200 hours a year, the Learjet 55 costs about $1,489,231 to own and operate: $618,231 a year in fixed costs plus $4,355 a flight hour, or about $7,446 an hour once the fixed costs are spread over those hours. These are CRAFT's own estimates, built the same way for every aircraft; how we work them out is at the end of this page.
| Annual cost | 100 hours / year | 200 hours / year | 400 hours / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total fixed costs | $618,231 | $618,231 | $618,231 |
| Total variable costs | $435,500 | $871,000 | $1,742,000 |
| Total annual operating cost | $1,053,731 | $1,489,231 | $2,360,231 |
| Total per flight hour | $10,537 | $7,446 | $5,901 |
Conclusion
The Learjet 55 is a great choice for those looking into midsize business jets. It has top-notch performance and costs are reasonable.
The initial and ongoing expenses are high, but its speed, range, and comfort are unmatched.
Thinking about buying a Learjet 55? You need to look at all costs, like buying, depreciation, and running expenses.
Also, consider what you need and how much you can spend. The Learjet 55 is known for being reliable and safe, making it a smart pick for private flying in Europe.
Deciding to buy a Learjet 55 means understanding its strengths and costs.
Compare its benefits with the financial and operational needs. This way, you can choose wisely, fitting your flying dreams and budget.
How we estimate these costs
These are CRAFT's own estimates, built the same way for every aircraft we cover. The Bombardier Learjet 55 is costed as a midsize jet with 2 engines, flown by 2 pilots, based in the U.S. and professionally managed. Lines marked “estimate” are the midpoint of a stated range for the size class, not a quote; the others are worked out from published figures. Nothing here comes from another charter operator's or broker's budgets.
| Fixed costs | Per year | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Crew Salary | $411,881 | 1 captain at $165,010 (BLS mean, commercial pilots in nonscheduled air transportation), 1 first officer at $123,220 (BLS median, commercial pilots), plus 43% for benefits and payroll costs (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (released May 15, 2026); BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026 (released September 9, 2026) |
| Crew TrainingEstimate | $33,000 | One simulator-based recurrent course a year for each of 2 pilots, at $13,000 to $20,000 per pilot for a midsize jet. CRAFT estimate. Source: FAA task orders for recurrent pilot training with FlightSafety International (USAspending.gov) (orders 2024 to 2026) |
| HangarEstimate | $46,650 | A heated home-base hangar at $2,305 to $5,470 a month for a midsize jet, from published airport hangar rates; big-city airports cost more. Source: Published airport hangar rates (Concord-Padgett Regional, City of Concord NC; Naples Airport Authority FY2026; Pierce County WA; Smith Reynolds, Forsyth County NC) (read October 5, 2026) |
| InsuranceEstimate | $16,700 | Liability of $8,000 to $15,000 a year for a midsize jet, plus hull cover at 0.15% to 0.25% of a hull value of $2,600,000, the median UseRadar value of the midsize jets we cover (no value data for this model). Midpoints used; pilot experience and claims history move it a lot. Source: BWI Aviation Insurance, "How much is aircraft insurance? A complete 2026 cost breakdown" (January 4, 2026); UseRadar aircraft value data |
| ManagementEstimate | $60,000 | A management company's fee of $3,500 to $6,500 a month for a midsize jet (crew, maintenance tracking, compliance and billing). CRAFT estimate. Source: Business Jet Traveler, "Is a management company right for you?" |
| Miscellaneous FixedEstimate | $50,000 | Navigation databases and charts, weather and flight planning, maintenance tracking, connectivity and office costs: $40,000 to $60,000 a year for a midsize jet. CRAFT estimate. Source: CRAFT estimate |
| Total | $618,231 |
| Variable costs | Per flight hour | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Cost | $1,930 | 252 gallons an hour (Conklin & de Decker average hourly fuel burn, Learjet 55) at $7.66 a gallon, our estimated U.S. average FBO price for Jet A on 2026-10-04. Contract fuel usually costs less than the posted price. Source: Fuel burn: the manufacturer's published average, else Conklin & de Decker's average hourly fuel burn; CRAFT jet fuel price data |
| MaintenanceEstimate | $1,050 | Scheduled inspections, parts, labor and unscheduled repairs for the airframe and avionics: $800 to $1,300 a flight hour for a midsize jet. Older aircraft sit at the top of the range. CRAFT estimate. Source: CRAFT estimate, checked against Pilatus CrystalCare's published program rates |
| Engine OverhaulEstimate | $700 | An hourly engine reserve or engine program for 2 engines at $275 to $425 per engine per hour for a midsize jet. Engine makers do not publish program rates. CRAFT estimate. Source: CRAFT estimate (engine program rates are not published) |
| Crew/Landing/Handling FeesEstimate | $525 | Landing, ramp and handling fees and crew hotels, meals and transport on trips: $400 to $650 a flight hour for a midsize jet. CRAFT estimate. Source: CRAFT estimate |
| Miscellaneous VariableEstimate | $150 | Catering, cabin supplies, cleaning and de-icing: $100 to $200 a flight hour. CRAFT estimate. Source: CRAFT estimate |
| Total | $4,355 |
- Annual cost = fixed costs + variable cost per hour × hours flown. At 100, 200 or 400 hours a year that is $1,053,731 ($10,537 an hour), $1,489,231 ($7,446 an hour), $2,360,231 ($5,901 an hour).
- Fuel price: one price for every aircraft, $7.66 a gallon on 2026-10-04, from our jet fuel price data. Every dollar a gallon moves the hourly cost by about $252.
- Not included: the purchase price, financing, depreciation, sales and use tax, major one-off events beyond the reserves (paint, interior, avionics upgrades) and any charter revenue.
Crew pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage percentiles (May 2025), bls employer costs for employee compensation, private industry, june 2026. Class ranges and every source are on what it costs to own a private jet; all models side by side in the operating cost league table. Spot something wrong? Tell us.
Frequently asked questions
What is the typical acquisition cost for a Learjet 55?
Buying a Learjet 55 costs between $787,500 and $962,500. This price puts it between the pricier Hawker 800 and the Falcon 20, which is cheaper.
What are the annual operating costs for a Learjet 55?
About $1,489,231 a year flown 200 hours in CRAFT's estimate ($1,053,731 at 100 hours, $2,360,231 at 400), before the purchase price, financing and depreciation.
What are the performance specifications of the Learjet 55?
The Learjet 55 can fly up to 1,950 nautical miles. It goes up to 490 knots and can reach 51,000 feet high.
What are the infrastructure requirements for operating a Learjet 55?
You need a runway of at least 2,800 feet for landing with four passengers. Costs like hangar fees, pilot salaries, and insurance add up.
How does the Learjet 55 compare to its competitors?
The Learjet 55 has great performance and costs less to run than its rivals. It’s a good choice for those wanting a fast, long-range, and comfortable business jet.
Featured Image: Pedro Aragão, CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons
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