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When you think of a private jet, a name like ‘HondaJet’ often doesn’t spring to mind, but rather ‘Gulfstream,’ ‘Cessna,’ and ‘Bombardier.’ Little do some know that while the automaker has had a sizable chunk of the market share, it also has a history in aviation spanning almost 40 years.
How did Honda come about entering the private jet business, and how do their aircraft hold up today? Here’s the story of the HondaJet.
Honda’s Humble (Aero) Beginnings
In 1986, the Fundamental Technology Research Center opened in Saitama, Japan. Honda was among the companies involved with the center and began to study aircraft fundamentals. Honda created the Honda Aircraft Company (HACI) with the goal of building a modern aircraft fit for the 21st century.
HACI President Michimasa Fujino quickly realized how big of an undertaking this was for a company like Honda. To reach closer to this goal, Fujino traveled to America to collaborate with Mississippi State University’s (MSU) Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. While in Mississippi, Fujino interned in assembling propeller planes and learned more in-depth about aircraft development.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Honda and MSU completed prototypes for a light jet. The first was called the MH-01, followed by the MH-02. However, the next design turned out to be pivotal in the aviation industry.
The Innovative HondaJet
In 1993, one engineer at HACI suggested mounting the engines over the wings rather than along the aft fuselage. This concept improves aerodynamic drag and limits lift, increasing the plane’s fuel efficiency and decreasing noise production. Many recognized this discovery as an important one in aircraft design.
In 1999, Honda and Boeing collaborated to develop a light jet using this new idea. The HondaJet was created, and its first test flights were in 2003. Both the body and engine were designed in-house.
The HondaJet made its public debut in 2005 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, an event that ultimately tested whether there was genuine market interest in the aircraft.
Honda President Takeo Fukui gave the green light for full-scale production the following year. A decade later, in December 2015, the first HA-420 was delivered from Honda Aircraft Company’s Greensboro, North Carolina headquarters. By 2024, 250 HA-420s had been sold.
HondaJet’s Variants and Future
From 2017 to 2021, the HondaJet held the title of best-selling light business jet. Yet, it hasn’t garnered the same spotlight as larger jets like Gulfstreams—mainly because of its smaller size, with seating only for up to seven passengers when modified.
Unlike many private jets that come in basic white, Honda treats its jet buyers more like car buyers, offering a range of exterior paint options. Available accent colors include Red, Deep Sea Blue, Luxe Gold, and Black Sable. A brand-new HondaJet typically costs around $3.5 million.
Since 2018, Honda has released at least three variants of the HA-420:
- HondaJet Elite (2018): Featured extended range and noise-dampening engine inlets for a quieter cabin.
- HondaJet Elite S (2021): Included avionics upgrades, though it added 200 pounds to the aircraft’s weight.
- HondaJet Elite II (2022): Gained roughly 100 additional miles of range and introduced autothrottle and emergency autoland systems for added safety and ease of use.
Looking ahead, the HondaJet Echelon is set to debut as the next version of the HondaJet—expected around 2028 or 2029.
The Echelon will feature cutting-edge systems like Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS), upgraded flight controls, and a distinctive geometric exterior design. It will also offer expanded seating for up to ten passengers.
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