How Many Learjets Remain in Service? A 2026 Fleet Census

Model-by-Model Fleet Count

Learjet produced more than 3,000 aircraft across all models from 1964 to 2021. The fleet has contracted steadily since peak active numbers in the early 2000s. Older models (Learjet 24, 25, 28, 31, 36, 55) have largely exited service. The remaining active fleet concentrates in four models: the Learjet 35/36 series, Learjet 45/45XR, Learjet 60/60XR, and Learjet 75/75 Liberty.

The Learjet 35/36 series remains the most numerous on the registry but has the lowest active utilization rate. Many are parked, with owners holding registrations while deciding whether to overhaul or part out. At $350,000-$900,000 for a flyable airframe, the Learjet 35A offers the lowest entry point into jet ownership in the United States. Whether that entry point is advisable is a separate question.

Why the Fleet Is Shrinking

Three factors drive Learjet fleet contraction. First, engine overhaul economics. A TFE731-2 overhaul (Learjet 35/36) costs $350,000-$500,000 per engine. On an aircraft with a hull value of $400,000-$700,000, spending $700,000-$1,000,000 on engines is economically irrational. Owners facing hot section inspections on low-value airframes part out rather than overhaul. This process removes 30-50 Learjets from active service annually.

Second, ADS-B compliance. The January 2020 ADS-B Out mandate forced owners of older Learjets to invest $80,000-$150,000 in transponder and avionics upgrades. Many pre-2000 Learjets with outdated avionics were retired rather than upgraded. The mandate accelerated attrition by approximately 3 years, pulling forward retirements that would have occurred naturally.

Third, insurance availability. Underwriters have tightened coverage for Learjet models with aging fleets and diminishing parts support. Liability premiums on Learjet 35/36 aircraft have increased 40-60% since 2020. Some underwriters have exited the segment entirely. Higher insurance costs push marginal operators out of the fleet, further reducing active numbers.

The Learjet 45 and 60: The Survivors

The Learjet 45 (production 1998-2012, 495 delivered) and Learjet 60 (production 1993-2007, 318 delivered) represent the fleet's operational core. Both models use modern turbofan engines (TFE731-20 on the 45, PW305A on the 60) with established overhaul shops and adequate parts supply. Pre-owned pricing supports economic operation: $1.5-$3.5 million for a 45XR, $2.0-$4.5 million for a 60XR.

The Learjet 45XR, in particular, remains competitive in the charter market. Its 2,120 nm range, Mach 0.81 cruise speed, and 6-8 passenger cabin meet the specifications of the light jet charter segment at lower operating costs than the Phenom 300 or Citation CJ4. Charter operators running 45XRs report variable costs of $2,800-$3,500 per flight hour, competitive with newer light jets.

The Learjet 60XR occupies an unusual market position: a midsize jet with light jet operating costs. Its 2,405 nm range and stand-up cabin (5 feet 7 inches) bridge the gap between light jets and true midsize aircraft. The 60XR's PW305A engines are reliable and well-supported. However, the aircraft's narrow cabin (5 feet 1 inch width) limits its appeal compared to wider midsize options like the Citation XLS+ and Hawker 800XP.

The End of the Line: Learjet 75 Liberty

Bombardier delivered the final Learjet 75 Liberty in February 2021 and permanently closed the Learjet production line in Wichita, Kansas. The 75 Liberty was Bombardier's last attempt to modernize the Learjet brand: Garmin G5000 avionics, Honeywell TFE731-40BR engines, 2,080 nm range, and a 6-passenger cabin priced at $9.9 million. It sold modestly. Approximately 79 Learjet 75 and 75 Liberty aircraft exist on registries worldwide.

The decision to end Learjet production was economic. Bombardier redirected capital toward the Global and Challenger families, where margins and demand were stronger. The Learjet 75 competed against the Phenom 300E ($9.65 million, wider cabin, similar range) and lost consistently. The Learjet brand carried enormous recognition but insufficient market share to justify continued investment.

For the 79 Learjet 75/75 Liberty owners, the end of production raises long-term parts and support concerns. Bombardier committed to supporting the fleet through its service center network, and the Garmin G5000 avionics ensure cockpit technology remains current. But history suggests that once production ceases, parts availability gradually deteriorates, overhaul costs increase, and resale values compress as buyers discount the lack of manufacturer investment in the platform.

The Learjet Legacy: Cultural Impact Beyond the Numbers

Bill Lear's original Learjet 23, which first flew on October 7, 1963, in Wichita, Kansas, did more than create a product category. It created a cultural symbol. "Learjet" became a synonym for private jet in popular culture, appearing in songs, films, and news coverage for six decades. The brand's cultural penetration exceeded its market share by an order of magnitude.

The Learjet 35/36 series, produced from 1973 to 1994, was the most successful model family with approximately 740 units delivered. Its combination of speed (Mach 0.81), range (2,060 nm), and relatively low acquisition cost made it the default light jet for charter operators, air ambulance services, and military/government users. The U.S. military operates C-21A variants (military designation for the Learjet 35A) for passenger and cargo transport, with approximately 50 remaining in active service.

As the fleet contracts toward its eventual end, the Learjet 45XR and 60XR represent the last economically viable Learjet models. Both will likely remain in service through the early 2030s before parts scarcity and maintenance costs push the final examples into retirement. The Learjet 75 Liberty, the youngest and most capable model, should remain active through the late 2030s, its Garmin G5000 avionics ensuring cockpit currency long after older models have departed.