Bombardier Learjet 60XR Charter

The Learjet 60 was Bombardier's early-1990s mid-size Learjet — a fuselage stretch of the Learjet 55 with a wider cabin cross-section, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305A turbofans and transcontinental US range. First delivery came in 1993; the type was refreshed in 2007 as the 60XR with modernised avionics and cabin, and production ended in 2012. Around 400 units were built across the 60 and 60XR variants.

The Learjet 60 became a workhorse of the US mid-size charter market through the 2000s, valued for its speed (Mach 0.81 cruise) and generally attractive economics. Today the fleet is mature: 60s are broadly available at attractive hourly rates, though the type's higher cabin altitude, narrower cabin cross-section and dated cabin management put it materially behind modern mid-light peers on comfort.

For charter clients the Learjet 60 is the fast, older mid-size option — the aircraft you charter when speed and cost matter more than modern cabin experience.

Cabin dimensions: 17 feet 7 inches long, 5 feet 11 inches wide and 5 feet 8 inches tall — no flat floor (a raised centre aisle) and stand-up only in the centre. Standard layout is a seven-passenger club-four plus two-place divan. Seats are full leather; refurbished aircraft (60XR and refreshed 60s) feature LED lighting and updated cabin management.

Cabin altitude at FL450 is 8,000 ft — considerably higher than modern peers, and passengers on longer sectors notice the difference. Baggage volume is 55 cubic feet. The lavatory is enclosed but small.

The 60XR upgraded the cabin materially: Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics, LED lighting, redesigned seat trim and improved cabin management. Refurbished aircraft can be surprisingly pleasant; unrefurbished originals show their age.

Twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305A engines deliver 4,600 pounds of thrust each. Maximum operating Mach is 0.81 — fast for the class. Certified ceiling is FL510. NBAA IFR range with four passengers is 2,405 nautical miles — enough for transcontinental US, London to Athens or Dubai to Bangkok with reserves.

Balanced field length at MTOW is 5,450 ft — longer than the Legacy 450 or Praetor 500, and the Learjet 60's main operational limitation. Hot-and-high and steep-approach performance are compromised.

Charter hourly rates run $4,500–$5,800 in North America; €5,000–€6,200 in Europe — meaningfully below modern mid-light peers. Empty-leg availability is broad because the fleet is large. Indicative pricing: New York to Chicago from $12,000; Dallas to Los Angeles from $18,000; London to Rome from £15,000.

Against the Praetor 500 or Legacy 450 the Learjet 60 gives up cabin size, cabin altitude, modern avionics and 500+ nm of range at 30–40 per cent lower hourly cost. Against the Citation XLS+ the 60 wins on speed and cost, loses on cabin size and modernity.

The Learjet 60 is the price-driven mid-size option. Empty-leg pricing is frequently exceptional.

Charter the Learjet 60 when speed and cost matter more than cabin experience, when the mission is short-to-medium (under three hours) and when the party is compact. It is one of the best value options on the US and European mid-size markets, particularly on empty-leg pricing.

Prefer the Praetor 500, Legacy 450 or Citation XLS+ when cabin comfort matters — on any mission over three hours the difference is meaningful.