Super Light Jet
Bombardier Learjet 45XR
Range
1,830 NM
Cruise speed
465 kts
Seats
8
History
No Learjet had been fully redesigned since the original Model 23 of 1963, and the Learjet 45 changed that. The update was overdue: rival manufacturers had newer designs, and Learjet needed to compete again. Bombardier positioned the Model 45 against the popular Cessna Citation Excel and XLS in the late 1990s. It gave up the Cessna's stand-up cabin in exchange for a higher cruise speed.
The prototype first flew on 7 October 1995, with the media watching, 32 years to the day after the first flight of the Learjet 23. Certification by the FAA took longer than planned and came in September 1997, and customer deliveries began in mid-1998. The 45 was the first Learjet certified under FAR Part 25, which brings greater system redundancy and performance figures guaranteed in the aircraft's operating manual.
Between the 1990s and 2012, when the Learjet 75 arrived, this family of four main variants (the 45, 45XR, 40 and 40XR) was the main output of Bombardier's Learjet division. The 45XR itself was built from 2003 to 2012, powered by two Honeywell TFE731-20BR engines with Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics.
On 11 February 2021 Bombardier announced that it would end Learjet production, citing a shift in demand towards newer categories of business jet. The decision closed a line that began with the Model 23 and was known throughout for speed and a sleek design.
Technical Specifications
General information
| Model name | Learjet 45XR |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bombardier |
| Aircraft category | super light jet |
| ICAO Designator | LJ45 |
| Start/End of Production | 2003 - 2012 |
| Number of pilot(s) | 2 |
Performances
| Range (with IFR reserves) | 1830 NM (3389 km) |
|---|---|
| Ferry range | 1939 NM (3591 km) |
| Cruise speed | 465 kts (861 km/h) |
| Max Operating Speed – VMO | 330 KIAS |
| Max Mach Operating Speed - MMO | Mach 0.81 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed - LRC | 432 KTAS |
| Approach Speed | 120 kts |
| Takeoff Distance | 1387 m |
| Average Landing Distance | 750 m |
| Rate of Climb | 2630 ft/min |
| Service Ceiling | 51000 ft |
| Thrust | 3500 lbf |
Aircraft technology
| Engine type | Turbofan |
|---|---|
| Engine(s) | 2 x Honeywell TFE731-20BR |
| Avionics | Honeywell Primus 1000 |
Dimensions and capacity
| Aircraft length | 17.7 m |
|---|---|
| Aircraft height | 4.3 m |
| Wing span | 14.6 m |
| Cabin height | 1.5 m (4.92 ft) |
| Cabin length | 6.02 m (19.75 ft) |
| Cabin width | 1.55 m (5.08 ft) |
| Baggage volume | 1.84 m3 |
| Seats (standard config) | 8 |
| Seats (max) | 9 |
| Suitcases | 5 |
| Carry-on luggage | 2 |
| Maximum payload | 856 kg |
| Maximum TakeOff Weight - MTOW | 9752 kg |
| Fuel capacity | 2750 L |
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Speed and altitude: The 45XR cruises at 465 kts (861 km/h), faster than the Citation Excel and XLS it was built to compete with, and it can climb to 51,000 ft.
- Built to airliner rules: As part of the first Learjet family certified under FAR Part 25, the 45XR has greater system redundancy and performance figures guaranteed in its operating manual.
- Room for eight: The standard layout seats eight, with up to nine possible, two more than a Phenom 300 or Learjet 40XR in standard form.
Disadvantages
- No standing headroom: At 1.50 m high, the cabin does not let passengers stand upright, unlike the stand-up cabin of the Citation Excel and XLS.
- Limited luggage: The baggage allowance is about five suitcases and two carry-on bags, so groups travelling with a lot of luggage may need a larger aircraft.
- Out of production: The 45XR was built until 2012, and Bombardier ended all Learjet production in 2021, so the youngest aircraft available for charter date from 2012.
FAQ
What does a Learjet 45XR charter cost?
Each trip is priced on its own details. The route, your dates, how far the nearest available aircraft has to position and the operator chosen all change the figure. Our advisors price every request individually and send a clear quote for your itinerary, rather than quoting a general rate that may not apply.
Learjet 45XR or Embraer Phenom 300: which suits my trip?
The 45XR seats eight in a standard layout against six in the Phenom 300, so it suits slightly larger groups. The Phenom 300 has a little more range, 2,010 nm against the 45XR's 1,830 nm (3,389 km), and is often the less expensive option with comparable comfort. The right choice depends on the size of your group and how far you are flying.
How does the 45XR differ from the Learjet 40XR?
The 40XR is the smaller sibling, seating six in a standard layout, with a quoted range of 1,862 nm. The 45XR is slightly larger and seats eight, with 1,830 nm (3,389 km) of range. Both come from the same design family, but the 45XR is the better choice for groups that need the extra seats.
Can the Learjet 45XR be flown by one pilot?
No. The 45XR requires two pilots, a captain and a co-pilot, because it is not approved for flight by a single pilot. Every charter flight on the type is therefore crewed by both, so there is nothing extra to arrange when you book.
What range does the Learjet 45XR have?
With IFR reserves the 45XR is rated for 1,830 nm (3,389 km), and its ferry range is 1,939 nm. That covers non-stop sectors like Paris to Marrakech or New York to Denver, subject to the weather and payload on the day.
What is the cabin like on the Learjet 45XR?
The standard layout seats eight in executive-style seats, and passengers have fold-out tables for work, a refreshment centre and a lavatory at the rear with its own sink. The cabin is 6.02 m long and 1.55 m wide, with 1.50 m of headroom, so passengers sit rather than stand. It suits business groups or families who want a compact jet with a proper executive layout.
Gallery
Figures are published manufacturer data, shown for illustration only. Images are generated for this concept and show the Learjet 45XR type, not a specific aircraft. Bombardier and Learjet 45XR are trademarks of their owner, used only to identify the aircraft.