Honda celebrates its 20 years in… aviation!

Honda is certainly not just focused on making cars and motorcycles, as the Japanese manufacturer knows how to fly.

For 20 years now, Honda has also been involved in another category: that of business jets. And in 2026, Honda Aircraft Company will celebrate two decades of aerospace innovation.

The adventure began in 2006 with the establishment of Honda Aircraft Company in the United States. The goal was for the manufacturer to develop its own business jet. A rather surprising idea for a brand more associated with Civic engines, Type R sports cars, or Fireblade motorcycles.

Head in the Clouds

The result is called HondaJet. And Honda does things a little differently than others. The aircraft notably features a recognizable design with its engines mounted above the wings, a solution that frees up space in the fuselage while also helping to reduce noise on the ground.

The first production HondaJet finally entered production in 2015. Since then, the family has grown, and Honda Aircraft reports having delivered more than 275 aircraft worldwide.

Therefore, the company celebrates its 20 years of existence in 2026, with a range that has gradually expanded. The manufacturer is particularly continuing the development of the HondaJet Elite II and is working on the next evolutions of its aerospace activities.

This adventure primarily illustrates a particularity of Honda: the brand loves engines… regardless of where they are installed. After cars, motorcycles, marine engines, and even competition, the manufacturer has thus added a particularly spectacular string to its bow.

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And unlike a simple marketing operation, Honda now has two decades of experience in business aviation. It goes to show that when a Japanese manufacturer claims to really love engineering, it’s best to take them seriously. Even if, in this specific case, you sometimes have to look up to see the result.