Bombardier Learjet 35A private jetCirrus Vision Jet SF50 private jet

Learjet 35A vs Vision Jet SF50

A head-to-head look at two of the most-chartered aircraft in the light jet class.

Bombardier Learjet 35A

BOMBARDIER

Bombardier Learjet 35A

The Learjet 35A is the icon that built the brand — a six-seat light jet with transcontinental range and the speed to outpace many newer designs. Heavily used in the air-ambulance and military-support sectors.

FULL BOMBARDIER LEARJET 35A PAGE →
Cirrus Vision Jet SF50

CIRRUS

Cirrus Vision Jet SF50

The Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 is the world's only single-engine personal jet, with a unique CAPS whole-airframe parachute system. Five passengers, panoramic windows and a pressurised cabin make it ideal for short owner-pilot or charter missions.

FULL CIRRUS VISION JET SF50 PAGE →

SPECIFICATIONS

Side-by-side specifications

METRICLearjet 35AVision Jet SF50
Passengers6–85
Range2,056 nm1,275 nm
Cruise speedMach 0.81Mach 0.53
Cabin height4'4"4'1"
Cabin width4'11"5'1"
Baggage40 cu ft30 cu ft
Runway4,972 ft2,036 ft

Bombardier Learjet 35A — strengths

  • Mach 0.81 cruise — fast for a light jet
  • Strong availability for air ambulance configurations
  • Lowest hourly cost in the Learjet family

Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 — strengths

  • CAPS whole-airframe parachute system
  • Single-engine economy
  • Short-runway access

CHARTER PRICING

Indicative pricing

BOMBARDIER LEARJET 35A
Miami → Bahamasfrom $9,800
Munich → Olbiafrom €11,200
CIRRUS VISION JET SF50
London → Manchesterfrom £2,800
Phoenix → Las Vegasfrom $3,500

All-inclusive indicative one-way pricing. Confirmed quote in 10 minutes.

EXPERT VERDICT

The Learjet 35A is the stronger all-rounder, but the Vision Jet SF50 still wins on the metrics that matter to specific buyers.

The Learjet 35A pulls ahead on range / non-stop reach, cabin comfort, group capacity and speed & block time; the Vision Jet SF50 answers with airport access. Both sit in the light jet class, so charter pricing is broadly aligned — let the use case (range, group size, airport pair) drive the final call.

Range / non-stop reach

Learjet 35A

2,056 nm of range — the better choice for transcontinental and intercontinental missions.

Cabin comfort

Learjet 35A

Taller and/or wider cabin (4'4" × 4'11") — better for long flights and stand-up movement.

Group capacity

Learjet 35A

Seats up to 8 — the right pick when the manifest grows.

Airport access

Vision Jet SF50

Shorter 2,036 ft balanced-field requirement — opens up restricted alpine, island and city-adjacent airfields.

Speed & block time

Learjet 35A

Cruise of Mach 0.81 — shaves meaningful minutes off every long leg.

Verdict based on published manufacturer specifications, charter market data and Limitless Sky brokerage experience.

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CHOOSE WITH CONFIDENCE

Top reasons to choose — and who each aircraft is best for

A tailored summary for the Learjet 35A and Vision Jet SF50: the deciding reasons in this matchup, plus the buyer archetypes each aircraft serves best.

BOMBARDIER

Top reasons to choose the Learjet 35A

  • Reaches 2,056 nm non-stop — 61% more range than the Vision Jet SF50, opening city pairs that would otherwise need a tech stop.
  • Cruises at Mach 0.81, trimming block time on every leg vs the Vision Jet SF50 (Mach 0.53).
  • Seats up to 8 passengers vs 5 on the Vision Jet SF50 — better for full-group charters and family travel.
  • 40 cu ft of baggage volume — fits ski, golf and extended-stay luggage that crowds the Vision Jet SF50.
  • Mach 0.81 cruise — fast for a light jet

BEST FOR

  • Longer non-stop reach

    When the mission is on the edge of the Vision Jet SF50's envelope, the 2,056 nm legs of the Learjet 35A keep reserves intact.

  • Larger party charters

    Up to 8 seats vs 5 on the Vision Jet SF50 — the natural pick when the manifest grows last-minute.

  • Two-hour business hops

    Lowest jet-class operating cost for 1–2 hour European or US regional legs.

  • Short-runway escapes

    Unlocks airfields like London City alternatives, Lugano and Aspen.

CIRRUS

Top reasons to choose the Vision Jet SF50

  • Lands in 2,036 ft balanced field — accesses short, restricted and city-adjacent airports the Learjet 35A cannot.
  • CAPS whole-airframe parachute system
  • Single-engine economy
  • Short-runway access

BEST FOR

  • Short-field departures

    2,036 ft balanced field unlocks airports the Learjet 35A cannot use, putting passengers closer to the door.

  • Two-hour business hops

    Lowest jet-class operating cost for 1–2 hour European or US regional legs.

  • Short-runway escapes

    Unlocks airfields like London City alternatives, Lugano and Aspen.

  • 4–6 passenger weekends

    Right-sized for a couple plus friends or a small family weekend break.

PROS & CONS

Honest assessment

BOMBARDIER

Bombardier Learjet 35A

PROS

  • +Mach 0.81 cruise — fast for a light jet
  • +Strong availability for air ambulance configurations
  • +Lowest hourly cost in the Learjet family
  • +Longer legs than the Vision Jet SF50 (2,056 nm vs 1,275 nm) — fewer fuel stops on intercontinental missions.
  • +Carries up to 8 passengers vs 5 on the Vision Jet SF50 — better for larger groups.
  • +Faster cruise (Mach 0.81) trims block time on every leg vs the Vision Jet SF50.

CONS

  • Needs more runway than the Vision Jet SF50 (4,972 ft vs 2,036 ft) — fewer short-field options.

CIRRUS

Cirrus Vision Jet SF50

PROS

  • +CAPS whole-airframe parachute system
  • +Single-engine economy
  • +Short-runway access
  • +Shorter runway requirement (2,036 ft) unlocks airfields the Learjet 35A cannot use.

CONS

  • Shorter range than the Learjet 35A (1,275 nm vs 2,056 nm) — may require a tech stop on long sectors.
  • Maximum 5-seat layout is tight if you regularly travel with more than 5 — the Learjet 35A adds 3 seats.
  • Slightly slower in cruise than the Learjet 35A (Mach 0.53 vs Mach 0.81).
  • Lower ceiling than the Learjet 35A (4'1" vs 4'4") — stand-up movement is restricted.
  • Tighter baggage capacity than the Learjet 35A (30 cu ft vs 40 cu ft).

REAL-WORLD MISSIONS

Which aircraft for which mission

Four scenarios our charter desk sees regularly — and which of these two we would actually quote.

SCENARIO 01

Two-hour business hop with four executives and overnight bags

OUR PICKLearjet 35A

Curated example: Teterboro → Aspen sits in the Learjet 35A's sweet spot.

SEE FULL AIRCRAFT →

SCENARIO 02

Weekend ski trip — Geneva to Sion with full ski equipment

OUR PICKVision Jet SF50

Shorter runway requirement (2,036 ft) opens up the airfield.

SEE FULL AIRCRAFT →

SCENARIO 03

Day-return board meeting between secondary cities

OUR PICKLearjet 35A

Curated example: Teterboro → Aspen sits in the Learjet 35A's sweet spot.

SEE FULL AIRCRAFT →

SCENARIO 04

Family of five to a Mediterranean island for a long weekend

OUR PICKLearjet 35A

Larger cabin seats the full group (6–8).

SEE FULL AIRCRAFT →

ROUTE RECOMMENDATIONS

Best pick per route

ROUTEDISTANCERECOMMENDEDWHY
London → Paris190 nmLearjet 35ABoth reach it, but the longer-legged option keeps more fuel reserves for weather and routing changes.
Geneva → Ibiza560 nmLearjet 35ABoth reach it, but the longer-legged option keeps more fuel reserves for weather and routing changes.
Teterboro → Miami950 nmLearjet 35ABoth reach it, but the longer-legged option keeps more fuel reserves for weather and routing changes.
London → Athens1,500 nmLearjet 35AOnly one reaches non-stop — the other would need a fuel stop (1500 nm > 1,275 nm).

Distances are great-circle approximations; actual fuel planning accounts for winds, weather and reserves.

FAQ

Learjet 35A vs Vision Jet SF50 — frequently asked

Learjet 35A vs Vision Jet SF50: which has the longer range?OPEN

The Bombardier Learjet 35A has a published range of 2,056 nm; the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 is rated at 1,275 nm. The longer-range aircraft opens up more non-stop city pairs without a tech stop.

Which is faster — Learjet 35A or Vision Jet SF50?OPEN

Cruise speeds are Mach 0.81 for the Bombardier Learjet 35A and Mach 0.53 for the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50. On a Miami → Bahamas-style mission the faster aircraft typically saves 10–25 minutes block time.

How many passengers does each aircraft carry?OPEN

The Bombardier Learjet 35A seats 6–8; the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 seats 5. Charter prices below assume a typical executive layout — high-density configurations are available on request.

What does it cost to charter the Bombardier Learjet 35A vs the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50?OPEN

Indicative one-way pricing on a benchmark mission: Bombardier Learjet 35A from from $9,800, Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 from from £2,800. Confirmed quote in 10 minutes — pricing varies with empty-leg availability, season and routing.

Which aircraft is better for transatlantic or long-range missions?OPEN

Both belong to the Light Jet category, but range, payload and runway performance differ. See the route-recommendations table on this page for our specific pick per corridor.

MORE COMPARISONS

Compare more light jets

LEARJET 35A × VISION JET SF50 CLUSTER

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