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How to Buy a HondaJet HA-420 (Elite / Elite S / Elite II): Buyer's Guide
A fast, efficient single-pilot light jet with a roomy cabin and modern avionics, best bought with strong records and engine program coverage.
Updated October 2026 · Market data from 24 live fyiAero listings, the FAA registry and NTSB records
Overview
The Honda HA-420 HondaJet is Honda Aircraft Company's clean-sheet very light jet, certified in the mid-2010s. It looks unlike anything else on the ramp because its GE Honda HF120 turbofans sit on pylons above the wing (Honda calls this the over-the-wing engine mount) instead of on the aft fuselage. That layout, along with a composite fuselage and a natural-laminar-flow wing and nose, frees up cabin space and helps the airplane cruise faster than most of its direct competitors. Owner-pilots fly it single-pilot behind a Honda-customized Garmin G3000 flight deck.
Today's market is small and tight. fyiAero listings show 24 HondaJets for sale against a U.S.-registered fleet of 237 per the FAA registry, with asking prices running from $3,349,000 to $3,950,000 and a median of $3,500,000. The median listed airframe has 1,106 hours. Most of what you will find is a model year in the 2018 to 2020 range, often carrying one of Honda's later performance or avionics packages.
Because the fleet is young and the price band is narrow, you will not find a cheap HondaJet. Configuration, damage history, engine program status, and which upgrades have been installed matter far more than age when you are separating a good airplane from an expensive lesson.
Who it's for. The HondaJet fits an owner-pilot or small corporate flight department that regularly flies one to four passengers on trips of a few hundred to roughly 1,000 nm and wants jet speed with real cabin comfort, including an aft lavatory and a good-sized baggage area. It is a step up for pilots coming out of a Cirrus SR22, Pilatus PC-12, TBM, or Citation Mustang. You will need a type rating, and most first-time jet owners go through Honda's factory-sanctioned initial training. Insurance is the reality check. Underwriters look closely at total time, multi-engine and turbine experience, and recent jet time. A low-time pilot transitioning from pistons should expect to fly with a mentor pilot for a set number of hours or legs, pay a higher premium, and face recurrent training requirements every year. Get an insurance quote with your actual logbook before you make an offer.
Generations and variants
| Version | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| HA-420 HondaJet (original) | 2015-2018 | This is the first production version, with the G3000-based flight deck and the original weight and range figures. These aircraft sit at the lower end of the market unless they have been brought up to later standards with Honda's retrofit packages. |
| HondaJet Elite | 2018-2021 | The Elite added extended range through added fuel capacity, engine inlet noise attenuation, an optional belted lavatory, an airstair option, and avionics enhancements. It makes up a large share of what is for sale, and its value depends heavily on whether performance or avionics updates have been installed. |
| APMG / APMG S modified aircraft | 2018-present | Registry and listing labels such as APMG and APMG S generally refer to existing HondaJets updated with Honda's performance modification packages, which can raise allowable weights and capability. Always confirm exactly which package and STC or factory documentation is on board, because the label alone does not tell you the airplane's true configuration. |
| HondaJet Elite S | 2022-2023 | The Elite S brought higher maximum takeoff weight for more useful load, along with avionics updates such as expanded ADS-B capability and new Garmin features. It brings a premium over earlier Elites because it can carry more people with more fuel. |
| HondaJet Elite II | 2023-present | The Elite II adds more range, Garmin autothrottle, Emergency Autoland, and ground spoilers among other refinements. Few are on the resale market, and they sit at the top of the price range. |
What a HondaJet HA-420 (Elite / Elite S / Elite II) costs to buy
3 priced listings on fyiAero right now ask between $3,349,000 and $3,950,000, with a median of $3,500,000 and a median of 1,106 hours total time.
- fyiAero listings show a narrow asking range of $3,349,000 to $3,950,000 with a median of $3,500,000, so configuration and condition, not haggling over model year, drive the deal.
- The year sample is thin: one 2018 asking $3,950,000, one 2019 at $3,500,000, and one 2020 at $3,349,000. An older airplane can out-price a newer one when it has upgrades, low time, or full engine program coverage, so compare equipment line by line.
- The median listed airframe has 1,106 hours. An airplane well above that should come with a meaningful discount unless its engine program and maintenance status offset the extra hours.
- Engine program enrollment is a major value driver. A HondaJet with HF120s on a fully transferable hourly program is worth noticeably more than one with engines off program, which leaves you exposed to large overhaul and unscheduled costs.
- Ask for the full damage history and any NTSB or insurance claim records. A repaired landing incident on a composite and aluminum airframe is not a dealbreaker if it was done properly, but it should be priced in.
- Clarify which variant label you are actually buying (Elite, Elite S, Elite II, APMG, APMG S) and get documentation for every factory upgrade. Two airplanes from the same year can be very different machines.
Average asking price by model year
Pre-buy inspection checklist
Have a shop that knows the type do the pre-buy, and ask them to research every applicable AD and service bulletin. Pay particular attention to:
- Engine program status and transferability. Confirm HF120 enrollment, coverage level, any buy-in cost, and that the program transfers to you. Off-program engines can turn into six-figure surprises.
- HF120 borescope and trend monitoring data. Hot section condition, compressor health, and engine trend data reveal how the engines have been operated and whether a costly event is coming.
- Over-the-wing engine pylons and attach structure. The pylons carry engine loads through a unique structure. Inspect for cracking, fastener issues, and any repairs, and have the shop research applicable ADs and SBs.
- Composite fuselage and nose. Look for impact damage, delamination, lightning strike repairs, and paint or filler hiding prior work. Composite repairs must be documented to Honda's approved methods.
- Landing gear, brakes, and tires. Runway excursions and hard landings show up in this fleet's accident history. Check brake wear, the anti-skid system, gear actuators, and any record of hard-landing inspections.
- Damage history and logbook continuity. Review every logbook, the maintenance tracking program printout, and the 337s or repair records so no event is unaccounted for.
- Ice protection systems. Verify operation of the wing and engine inlet anti-ice, the windshield heat, and associated sensors. Repairs on these systems are expensive and they are critical to dispatch reliability.
- Pressurization and environmental system. Test cabin pressurization rate and leaks, door seals, and air conditioning performance. Seal and valve issues are common sources of squawks.
- Avionics software level and subscriptions. Confirm G3000 software version, installed options, database and connectivity subscriptions, and whether the latest Honda and Garmin updates and service bulletins have been incorporated.
- Compliance with ADs, SBs, and Honda service letters. As a young type, the HondaJet continues to see factory changes. Have the shop research every applicable AD and SB and confirm completion, not just note it on a list.
Popular upgrades
- Honda performance modification packages (APMG / APMG S type upgrades). These raise weights and capability on earlier aircraft and add real resale value. Documentation matters as much as the hardware.
- Avionics software and feature upgrades. Newer G3000 features, ADS-B In, and other factory avionics updates help an older airframe compete with newer variants and ease insurance and dispatch concerns.
- Autothrottle and later-model safety features. Features introduced on newer variants, including autothrottle, are valued by buyers and insurers. Check with Honda whether a retrofit is available for the airplane you are considering.
- Cabin connectivity. Satellite or air-to-ground Wi-Fi is increasingly expected by corporate users and supports resale, though it adds subscription costs.
- Interior and paint refurbishment. A fresh interior or paint helps marketability. Expect to recover only part of the cost, and make sure composite surfaces were refinished to approved standards.
Ownership costs
Plan on a serious budget. fyiAero's operating cost estimate puts variable cost at about $2,081 per hour, driven by fuel burn of roughly 114 gallons per hour, engine program reserves, and maintenance. Fixed costs, including hangar, insurance, training, subscriptions, and inspections, come to about $352,880 per year at the low end. At 325 hours a year, the total annual budget lands near $1,029,140. At a 365-knot cruise, that works out to about $4.88 per nautical mile, which is efficient for a jet but still a big step from turboprop or piston costs. Factor in the cost of carrying the asset as well: the average pre-owned value in that estimate is about $3,593,056.
Safety record
NTSB records show 10 accidents involving HondaJets over the last 10 years, with no fatal accidents and no aircraft destroyed. Against the FAA-registered fleet, that equals about 42.2 accidents per 1,000 aircraft over the decade and 0.0 fatal accidents per 1,000. The non-fatal rate deserves attention, but much of it reflects landing-phase events such as long or fast landings, runway excursions, and hard landings rather than in-flight failures. Owner-flown light jets also tend to carry more landing risk than professionally crewed fleets. The fixes are well known: fly stabilized approaches at the correct reference speed, use accurate landing distance calculations on short or contaminated runways, keep up with recurrent training, and for new jet pilots, accept mentor time without arguing. Treat the type rating as a starting point, not a finish line.
Alternatives to consider
- Cessna Citation M2 / M2 Gen2. It has strong Textron service network support and a familiar cockpit, but it is slower than the HondaJet and has a smaller cabin.
- Embraer Phenom 100EV. It offers a comparable cabin and good short-field capability, but it cruises slower, and buyers should compare its cost profile carefully against the HondaJet.
- Cirrus Vision Jet SF50. Its acquisition and operating costs are much lower and it has a whole-airframe parachute, but it is a single-engine jet with much less speed, altitude, and range.
- Pilatus PC-12 NGX. It carries far more cargo, offers excellent runway flexibility, and costs less per hour, but its turboprop speed is well below the HondaJet's.
- Eclipse 550. It is less expensive to buy and to operate, but its cabin is notably smaller and its support network more limited.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a used HondaJet cost?
fyiAero listings show asking prices from $3,349,000 to $3,950,000, with a median of $3,500,000. Final price depends on variant, upgrades, damage history, and engine program status.
How many HondaJets are there in the U.S.?
The FAA registry shows 237 U.S.-registered HondaJets. fyiAero currently lists 24 for sale, which is about one in ten of the U.S. fleet.
What does it cost to operate a HondaJet per hour?
fyiAero's estimate puts variable cost at about $2,081 per hour, with fuel burn of roughly 114 gallons per hour. Adding fixed costs, a 325-hour year totals about $1,029,140.
Is the HondaJet safe?
NTSB records show 10 accidents in the last 10 years with zero fatalities and no aircraft destroyed, or about 42.2 accidents per 1,000 registered aircraft. Most involved the landing phase, so disciplined approaches and recurrent training are the key mitigations.
Can I fly a HondaJet single-pilot?
Yes. It is certified for single-pilot operation, but you will need a type rating. Insurers often require mentor pilot time for lower-time or first-time jet owners.
What is the difference between the Elite, Elite S, and Elite II?
Each step added capability: the Elite brought more range and cabin refinements, the Elite S raised takeoff weight for more payload, and the Elite II added more range plus autothrottle and Emergency Autoland. Some earlier airplanes have been updated with Honda modification packages, so verify the actual configuration rather than relying on the label.
HondaJet HA-420 (Elite / Elite S / Elite II) for sale
Prices, fleet and safety figures update automatically from fyiAero listings, the FAA aircraft registry and NTSB data. The editorial was written by fyiAero with AI assistance from that data and general type knowledge. It is not a substitute for a pre-buy inspection, title search or professional advice.
