<strong>The legendary Learjet:</strong> The Learjet has been synonymous with glamorous jet-setting for almost 60 years. (Pictured: a "Longhorn" Learjet 55).
The legendary Learjet: The Learjet has been synonymous with glamorous jet-setting for almost 60 years. (Pictured: a "Longhorn" Learjet 55).
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>End of an era: </strong>But in February 2021, Learjet's parent company, Bombardier, announced that it was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F02%2F11%2Fbusiness%2Flearjet-bombardier-private-plane%2Findex.html" target="_blank">ending mainstream production</a> of the famous plane. (Pictured: a 2005 shot of a Learjet 45XR).
End of an era: But in February 2021, Learjet's parent company, Bombardier, announced that it was ending mainstream production of the famous plane. (Pictured: a 2005 shot of a Learjet 45XR).
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Learjet 23: </strong>The first craft was the Learjet 23, which took flight in 1963.
Learjet 23: The first craft was the Learjet 23, which took flight in 1963.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Compact: </strong>The Learjet was hugely innovative when it started out, with the 23's neat little airplane cabin giving an experience similar to sitting in a comfortable family car.
Compact: The Learjet was hugely innovative when it started out, with the 23's neat little airplane cabin giving an experience similar to sitting in a comfortable family car.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>A question of height: </strong>To critics of the low-roofed cabin, maker Bill Lear was reported to have the response, "You can't stand up in a Cadillac, either."
A question of height: To critics of the low-roofed cabin, maker Bill Lear was reported to have the response, "You can't stand up in a Cadillac, either."
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>The cabin:</strong> In the 1960s and into the early 1970s, the purpose of business aviation was to save time and hassle for flights within a few hours' distance.
The cabin: In the 1960s and into the early 1970s, the purpose of business aviation was to save time and hassle for flights within a few hours' distance.
Courtesy Bombarder
<strong>Learjet 25: </strong>The 10-seat Learjet 25 was introduced in 1967.
Learjet 25: The 10-seat Learjet 25 was introduced in 1967.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Model 35:</strong> The Learjet Model 35 was produced from 1973 to 1994.
Model 35: The Learjet Model 35 was produced from 1973 to 1994.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Learjet 55:</strong> The Learjet 55, which first flew in 1979, earned the nickname Longhorn because of its winglets.
Learjet 55: The Learjet 55, which first flew in 1979, earned the nickname Longhorn because of its winglets.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Learjet 31: </strong>Close to 250 Learjet 31s were built between 1987 and 2003.
Learjet 31: Close to 250 Learjet 31s were built between 1987 and 2003.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Learjet 60: </strong>Produced from 1991 to 2012, the Learjet 60 has a range of around 2,400 nautical miles.
Learjet 60: Produced from 1991 to 2012, the Learjet 60 has a range of around 2,400 nautical miles.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Over Johannesburg in 1994: </strong>The Learjet 60 was an improved version of the 55, with a longer fuselage and more powerful turbofan engine.
Over Johannesburg in 1994: The Learjet 60 was an improved version of the 55, with a longer fuselage and more powerful turbofan engine.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Learjet 45:</strong> First flying in 1995, the Learjet 45 was was the first big redesign since the original Learjet.
Learjet 45: First flying in 1995, the Learjet 45 was was the first big redesign since the original Learjet.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Global 7500:</strong> Business jet cabins today mean "floating onto a jet, having a completely smooth ride," says Bombardier's Mark Masluch.
Global 7500: Business jet cabins today mean "floating onto a jet, having a completely smooth ride," says Bombardier's Mark Masluch.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Bombardier Challenger:</strong> "We've shifted our focus to the medium and large jets" like Bombardier's Challenger and Global families, Masluch says.
Bombardier Challenger: "We've shifted our focus to the medium and large jets" like Bombardier's Challenger and Global families, Masluch says.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Global 7500:</strong> Large jets like these have three or four zones inside, each with intricately convertible areas.
Global 7500: Large jets like these have three or four zones inside, each with intricately convertible areas.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Global 7500:</strong> With big cabins comes extra room for innovation, and there's some incredible engineering development going on.
Global 7500: With big cabins comes extra room for innovation, and there's some incredible engineering development going on.
Courtesy Bombardier
<strong>Nuage:</strong> Bombardier's new Nuage seat has extra pivot points so the seat sinks you into a "zero gravity" relaxation position when you recline.
Nuage: Bombardier's new Nuage seat has extra pivot points so the seat sinks you into a "zero gravity" relaxation position when you recline.
Courtesy Bombardier