Philadelphia charter clients choose a midsize jet when the leg runs past a couple of hours and the cabin starts to matter as much as the speed.
Learjet (Bombardier) introduced the Learjet 55 in 1981. It is flown by a crew of 2. The type carries 8 to 10 passengers, cruises at 402 knots, tops out at 51,000 feet, covers 2,165 nautical miles and holds 60 cubic feet of baggage.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Midsize Jet
- Manufacturer: Learjet (Bombardier)
- Year introduced: 1981
- Seating: 8 to 10
- Crew: 2
- Range: 2,165 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 402 knots
- Service ceiling: 51,000 feet
- Length: 55.1 feet
- Wingspan: 43.8 feet
- Height: 14.7 feet
- Baggage volume: 60 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Learjet 55 Fits Philadelphia
Midsize trips run from Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE), which has a 7,000-foot runway and a tower open from six in the morning until eleven at night in most cases, and from Philadelphia International (KPHL) where the schedule or the group makes that easier.
A published range of 2,165 nautical miles brings Nassau, Dallas, Denver and Aspen within reach of Philadelphia, before the operator applies reserves and routing for the day.
Winter routings can shift the answer as well. Headwinds on a westbound leg eat into range, so an aircraft that is comfortable in July may need a fuel stop in January.
The runway required on the day is a performance calculation the operator makes for that aircraft, at that weight, in the conditions on your date, so we confirm it with them for your specific trip.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Learjet 55 run $4,000 to $5,200 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
As a rough guide, Philadelphia to Aspen is about 1,466 nautical miles, which is roughly 3.5 to 4.0 hours of flight time at this aircraft’s cruise speed before winds and routing are applied.
Other Midsize Jets Available
- Cessna Citation Excel / XLS
- Cessna Citation III
- Cessna Citation VII
- Embraer Legacy 450
- Falcon 20
- Gulfstream G100 / G150 / IAI Astra SPX
Contact
For a quote on a Learjet 55 charter to or from Philadelphia, call 1-888-987-5387 or visit our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.