Honda Aircraft Company has become the first manufacturer of twin-engine light business jets to successfully complete a flight powered entirely by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The test flight was carried out using a production-model HondaJet fueled with a blend of HEFA-SPK (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene) and HDO-SAK (Hydrodeoxygenated Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene). The aircraft took off and flew over the Greensboro area in North Carolina before safely landing at the company’s headquarters located at Piedmont Triad International Airport.
This flight represents the culmination of several years of engineering development by the Honda Aircraft Company team in cooperation with GE Honda Aero, a joint venture between General Electric and Honda responsible for the design of the HF120 engine that powers the HondaJet. The engines are produced by Honda Aero in Burlington, North Carolina.
While HondaJet aircraft in service have already operated on approved SAF blends of up to 50%, this latest achievement confirms full compatibility of the HF120 engine and the aircraft’s design with 100% SAF. GE Honda Aero previously conducted successful ground engine tests using the same fuels in 2022 and 2023, paving the way for this historic flight.
“We are extremely proud of our engineering team for proving that the HondaJet can operate on 100% sustainable aviation fuel. This flight underscores our commitment to the future of sustainable aviation and marks another step toward Honda’s global goal of achieving carbon neutrality across all operations by 2050,” said Amod Kelkar, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Honda Aircraft Company.
For a decade, the HondaJet has maintained its status as the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class, thanks to its advanced aerodynamic design that preserves laminar airflow over the wing and fuselage, resulting in up to 20% better fuel efficiency compared to competitors. In October 2024, the company received the Sustainable Flight Department Accreditation from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
Founded in 2006 as a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Honda Aircraft Company is headquartered in North Carolina. In addition to the current HondaJet Elite II model, the company is developing the new HondaJet Echelon, designed to accommodate up to 11 passengers. By the end of 2024, more than 250 HondaJets had been delivered worldwide.
