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Learjet

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A pioneering business-jet brand known for fast, high-performance light and midsize aircraft, now supported by Bombardier after production ended.

Last updated August 21, 2026

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Overview

Learjet is an American business-aircraft brand that helped establish the modern private-jet market. The enterprise was created by inventor and industrialist William Powell Lear during the early 1960s, initially through the Swiss American Aviation Corporation and later through the Lear Jet Corporation. Although the first aircraft were designed and partially assembled in Switzerland, the manufacturing program was moved to Wichita, Kansas, where the company found a stronger aerospace labor base and developed the production infrastructure that remains associated with the brand. The original Learjet 23, derived in part from the structure and aerodynamic concepts of the unsuccessful Swiss FFA P-16 fighter project, first flew in October 1963 and entered customer service in 1964. Its compact dimensions, swept-wing configuration, high cruise speed and jet-powered performance distinguished it from the slower propeller aircraft then commonly used for executive travel. The aircraft helped create a recognizable light-business-jet category, and the Learjet name eventually became widely used in popular language as a synonym for a private or business jet. The company expanded the initial design into the Learjet 24 and 25, followed by a succession of light, midsize and special-purpose aircraft. The Learjet 35 and 36, introduced with Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines, became particularly important because they combined improved fuel efficiency with useful range and strong performance. Later aircraft such as the Learjet 45, Learjet 60, Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 extended the brand into newer generations and larger cabin categories. Learjet aircraft were used by corporations, charter operators, governments and military customers, with some variants adapted for transport, surveillance, training or medical missions. Ownership and corporate identity changed several times. In 1967, Gates Rubber Company acquired William Lear's stake. The business subsequently became Gates Learjet Corporation, a name it used through much of the 1970s and 1980s. After a later acquisition by Integrated Acquisition, the company returned to the Learjet Corporation name. Bombardier acquired Learjet in 1990 and marketed subsequent aircraft as part of the Bombardier Learjet family, while retaining the distinctive Learjet name and brand identity. Bombardier continued developing the line with aircraft such as the Learjet 45 and Learjet 60 and proposed the Learjet 85, an ambitious all-composite business jet program announced in 2007. The Learjet 85 was cancelled in 2015. As Bombardier concentrated its aviation portfolio on the larger Challenger and Global families, it announced in February 2021 that production of new Learjet aircraft would end. The last aircraft, a Learjet 75, was delivered in March 2022. More than 3,000 Learjets had been delivered over the brand's production history, and a large installed fleet remained in service. Learjet therefore functions today primarily as a legacy aircraft brand rather than as a producer of new aircraft. Bombardier continues to provide support, maintenance and aftermarket services for in-service Learjets, including refurbishment initiatives such as the Learjet RACER program for selected Learjet 40 and Learjet 45 aircraft. The brand's continuing importance rests on its historical role in business aviation, its strong recognition among aircraft operators and passengers, and the large global fleet that still requires parts, maintenance, upgrades and technical support.

History

Learjet originated from William Powell Lear's effort to create a compact, fast executive aircraft using ideas related to advanced military-aircraft design. The preliminary concept was associated with the Swiss American Aviation Corporation, established in Altenrhein, Switzerland, and supported by engineers from several European countries. The production concept drew substantially on the structure and aerodynamic characteristics of the FFA P-16, a Swiss ground-attack fighter that had not entered operational service. Lear and his team regarded the fighter-derived layout as a useful foundation for a high-performance civilian aircraft. The project moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1962. Wichita offered an established aviation workforce and industrial base, and the city supported the company with an industrial revenue bond. Assembly of the first aircraft began in February 1963. The resulting Learjet 23 made its first flight on October 7, 1963, and the first production aircraft was delivered in October 1964. The company was initially known as the Lear Jet Corporation, became publicly owned shortly after the first delivery, and adopted the Lear Jet Industries name in 1966. The early aircraft established the principal characteristics associated with Learjet: swept wings, compact cabins, high speed and strong climb performance. The Learjet 24 first flew in 1966, followed by the Learjet 25 later that year. In 1967, Gates Rubber Company acquired William Lear's interest, and the company merged with Gates Aviation Corporation in 1969 to become Gates Learjet Corporation. During the 1970s the range expanded, including the Learjet 35 and 36, which used Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines. The company also achieved notable production and operating milestones: its fleet surpassed one million flight hours in 1974, and the 500th aircraft was produced in 1975. Aerodynamic development continued with the Learjet 28 and 29, which introduced a new wing with winglets. The wing improved performance and fuel economy and gave rise to the Longhorn designation used for that family and later derivatives. The Model 54, 55 and 56 series added further capacity and capability, while Learjet aircraft became prominent in corporate, charter, government and special-mission operations. A production slowdown occurred in the mid-1980s as the company sought to reduce inventories, but manufacturing later resumed. The company also established an aerospace division and obtained a contract to produce components associated with Space Shuttle main engines. Integrated Acquisition acquired Gates Learjet in 1987, and the business returned to the Learjet Corporation name in 1988. Manufacturing was consolidated back in Wichita by 1989. Bombardier acquired the company in 1990 and integrated it into Bombardier Aerospace. Later aircraft were marketed under the Bombardier Learjet Family designation. The Learjet 60 first flew in 1990, and the Learjet 45 first flew in 1995, representing the brand's movement into newer midsize and super-light business-jet segments. Bombardier pursued a significant technology program with the Learjet 85, announced in 2007 as an all-composite business aircraft. The program was cancelled in 2015. Bombardier later decided to focus its aviation resources on its Challenger and Global product families and announced in February 2021 that new Learjet production would end. The final Learjet 75 was delivered on March 28, 2022. More than 3,000 aircraft had been delivered, with more than 2,000 reportedly remaining in service at that point. Bombardier retained the brand for fleet support and maintenance and introduced the Learjet RACER refurbishment program for selected Learjet 40 and 45 aircraft. Learjet's historical legacy is its contribution to the creation and popularization of the light business-jet market.

  • 2022

    Final Learjet 75 delivered

    [1]

    The final Learjet 75 was delivered on March 28, concluding the production era.

  • 2021

    New Learjet production scheduled to end

    [1]

    Bombardier announced the end of production for all new Learjet aircraft while maintaining support for aircraft already in service.

  • 2017

    3,000th Learjet delivered

    [1]

    Bombardier delivered the 3,000th Learjet in June.

  • 1995

    Learjet 45 first flies

    [1]

    The Learjet 45 made its first flight on October 7, extending the brand's newer-generation product range.

  • 1990

    Bombardier acquires Learjet

    [1]

    Bombardier Aerospace purchased Learjet Corporation and subsequently marketed the aircraft as the Bombardier Learjet Family.

  • 1990

    Learjet 60 first flies

    [1]

    The Learjet 60 midsize business jet made its first flight on October 10.

  • 1977

    Learjet 28 introduces Longhorn wing

    [1]

    The Learjet 28 made its first flight with a new wing and winglets intended to improve performance and fuel economy.

  • 1975

    500th jet produced

    [1]

    Learjet produced its 500th aircraft.

  • 1974

    Fleet exceeds one million flight hours

    [1]

    The worldwide Learjet fleet passed one million flight hours, an important operating milestone for the business-jet industry.

  • 1969

    Company becomes Gates Learjet

    [1]

    The company merged with Gates Aviation Corporation and adopted the Gates Learjet name.

Products and positioning

A premium business-aviation brand historically associated with speed, performance, compact size, executive travel and distinctive swept-wing styling.

  • Light business jet · 1964

    Learjet 23

    The Learjet 23 was the first production model and the aircraft that established the brand. It was a six- to eight-seat, compact jet with swept wings and a strong emphasis on speed and climb performance. Its introduction in the 1960s helped define the light business-jet segment and made fast executive air travel more accessible to corporate operators.

  • Light business jets · 1966

    Learjet 24 and Learjet 25

    The Learjet 24 and 25 were early derivatives of the original Learjet design. They refined the first-generation platform while offering different cabin, range and operating configurations. These aircraft helped the company broaden its customer base and established the derivative-family approach that remained central to Learjet product development.

  • Light business jets · 1977

    Learjet 28 and Learjet 29

    The Learjet 28 and 29 introduced the Longhorn wing, including winglets designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency and performance. They were based on the Learjet 25 but demonstrated the brand's willingness to use aerodynamic innovation to improve the capabilities of relatively small business aircraft.

  • Light and midsize business jets · 1973

    Learjet 35 and Learjet 36

    The Learjet 35 and 36 used Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines and became among the best-known Learjet families. They combined high performance with improved engine efficiency and were adopted for executive, charter, military, medical and special-mission roles. Their long service lives made them important contributors to the continuing global Learjet fleet.

  • Super-light business jet · 1995

    Learjet 45

    The Learjet 45 was a clean-sheet, newer-generation business jet that first flew in 1995. It provided a larger and more modern cabin than early Learjets while preserving the brand's performance-oriented image. The aircraft became an important platform for corporate and charter operators and later formed the basis for Bombardier's Learjet RACER refurbishment initiative.

  • Midsize business jet · 1990

    Learjet 60

    The Learjet 60 was a midsize aircraft developed for operators seeking more cabin and range capability than the light-jet models. It retained the brand's emphasis on fast cruise and strong climb performance and became one of the principal Learjet products of the Bombardier era.

  • Light and midsize business jets

    Learjet 70 and Learjet 75

    The Learjet 70 and 75 represented the final production generation. They incorporated updated engines, avionics, interiors and aerodynamic refinements while continuing the compact, fast business-jet concept. The Learjet 75 was the last aircraft produced under the brand, with final delivery in March 2022.

  • Composite business jet program · 2007

    Learjet 85

    The Learjet 85 was an ambitious all-composite business-aircraft program announced by Bombardier in 2007. It was intended to extend the brand into a newer, larger and technologically advanced segment, but the program was cancelled in 2015 before entering production.

  • Aircraft refurbishment service · 2021

    Learjet RACER

    Learjet RACER is a Bombardier refurbishment and remanufacturing initiative for selected in-service Learjet 40 and Learjet 45 aircraft. It reflects the post-production role of the brand, focusing on extending the useful life, operational capability and customer value of existing aircraft rather than introducing new Learjet airframes.

Marketing campaigns

  • 2008Year of Learjet

    Global

    Bombardier used the 45th anniversary of the first Learjet flight to promote the brand through a global Year of Learjet campaign. One highlighted event involved Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton racing a Learjet-themed aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show.

    Outcome. The campaign reinforced Learjet's associations with speed, performance and celebrity aviation culture.

    Source

Brand decisions

  • 2021

    End production of new Learjet aircraftStrategy

    Background

    Bombardier was concentrating its aviation resources on the larger Challenger and Global families and had previously cancelled the Learjet 85 program.

    Action taken

    Bombardier announced that production of all new Learjet aircraft would end while continuing support and maintenance for the installed fleet.

    Aftermath

    The final Learjet 75 was delivered in 2022, and the brand shifted from new-aircraft manufacturing toward aftermarket support and refurbishment.

    Source

  • 2007

    Launch the Learjet 85 programProduct launch

    Background

    Bombardier sought to renew and expand the Learjet line with a larger, technologically advanced aircraft.

    Action taken

    Bombardier announced the Learjet 85, an all-composite business-aircraft program.

    Aftermath

    The program was cancelled in 2015 before production.

    Source

  • 1990

    Bombardier acquires LearjetM&A

    Background

    Learjet had changed ownership several times and remained a recognizable but strategically important business-aircraft manufacturer.

    Action taken

    Bombardier Aerospace purchased Learjet Corporation and incorporated the aircraft line into its aviation portfolio.

    Aftermath

    The aircraft were marketed as the Bombardier Learjet Family, while Learjet continued as a distinct customer-facing brand.

    Source

  • 1984

    Temporarily suspend commercial-jet productionStrategy

    Background

    The company sought to reduce aircraft inventories during a difficult period for its commercial aircraft business.

    Action taken

    Gates Learjet stopped production of its commercial jets late in the year.

    Aftermath

    Production restarted in 1986 at Wichita and Tucson before later being consolidated back in Wichita.

    Source

  • 1967

    Gates Rubber acquires William Lear's interestM&A

    Background

    The growing aircraft business required a new ownership and capital structure as Learjet expanded its product family.

    Action taken

    Gates Rubber Company acquired William Lear's approximately 60 percent stake in the venture.

    Aftermath

    The subsequent merger with Gates Aviation produced the Gates Learjet identity and continued the company's independent aircraft operations.

    Purchase price for William Lear's interest. US$27 million (1967)

    Source

  • 1962

    Move production from Switzerland to WichitaStrategy

    Background

    The original development effort involved Swiss American Aviation Corporation facilities and engineers in Switzerland, but the project faced delays and needed a stronger production base.

    Action taken

    Lear moved the manufacturing program and tooling to Wichita, Kansas, where the company could draw on an established aircraft-industry workforce.

    Aftermath

    Wichita became the long-term home of Learjet design, manufacturing and support activities.

    Source

Recent events

  • Reported

    Bombardier announces plan to end Learjet production[2]

    Bombardier announced that it would end Learjet aircraft production later in 2021, allowing it to focus on its Challenger and Global aircraft families.

  • Reported

    Bombardier launches Learjet RACER remanufacturing program[2]

    Bombardier launched the Learjet RACER remanufacturing program for Learjet 40 and Learjet 45 aircraft, to be offered exclusively through its Wichita service centre.

Read more

Sources2 sources

  1. 1Learjeten.wikipedia.org
  2. 2庞巴迪宣布计划停止Learjet飞机生产finanznachrichten.de

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