United States · manufacturer
Honda Aircraft
Honda Aircraft Company was created in the United States for the production of the HA-420 HondaJet. Research began long before the organization of the company: the experimental aircraft first flew in 2003, and the serial type received FAA certificate in 2015.
HondaJet
The history of Honda Aircraft: years of research and a new jet
Honda Aircraft Company was established in 2006 as a subsidiary of Honda Motor, based in Greensboro, North Carolina. The aviation programme began much earlier. Engineer Michimasa Fujino and his team studied the design of a compact business aircraft; an experimental jet first flew in December 2003.
HondaJet was presented to the public in 2005, and the creation of a dedicated company marked a step towards commercial production. The original HondaJet received FAA certification in December 2015. The programme combined Japanese engineering culture with aircraft development and manufacturing in the United States.
HondaJet
Engineering philosophy: rethinking the conventional layout
HondaJet’s most recognisable feature is its engines, mounted on pylons above the wings. Fujino formulated the concept in 1997. This placement frees up usable fuselage space and helps reduce cabin noise. The engine positions were developed alongside the wing shape: making this arrangement work aerodynamically required research and testing.
Other elements include a composite fuselage and nose and wing shapes designed for natural laminar flow: more orderly airflow close to the surface. Together, they aim to deliver efficient flight and a comfortable cabin within compact external dimensions. HondaJet’s unusual appearance is a consequence of its engineering objectives.
HondaJet
From HondaJet to the Echelon programme
HondaJet, Elite, Elite S and Elite II are successive versions of the light jet family, with different ranges and equipment. For a small group of passengers, the actual layout, baggage provision and lavatory comfort are particularly important: these details shape the everyday experience.
HondaJet Echelon is a separate programme for a larger aircraft. According to the manufacturer’s September 2026 update, the first flight is planned for 2028, with certification and the first delivery in 2031. These are development plans and may change; Echelon’s design targets should be considered separately from the capabilities of the HondaJet Elite II already in service.
Model catalogue
Aircraft Honda Aircraft
Compact jets for short business routes and small passenger groups.