A Look at the HondaJet 2600 Concept

The HondaJet 2600 Concept adopts
several technologies that were introduced in the original HondaJet. The most recognizable feature of the airplane—the over-the-wing engine
mounts that were pioneered by Fujino
and first introduced in the HondaJet—have been adopted into the new design. The concept also features
“natural laminar flow” over the nose, wings, and composite fuselage. [Courtesy: Honda Aircraft]

Chatter filled the Honda Aircraft exhibit at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas in October 2021. Dramatic music came on over the loudspeakers along with a video showing the original HondaJet, and then, the outline of a larger bizjet on the drape. A gasp, then hands clapping could be heard from the large crowd gathered around as the drape fell, revealing a full-scale mockup of the HondaJet 2600 Concept.

The original HondaJet has seen great success, with about 200 airplanes delivered since its certification in December 2015. However, some customers have expressed a need for a larger HondaJet family member that can go “coast to coast and carry more than three passengers comfortably,” Honda Aircraft Company’s president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said at the unveiling. While no final plans have been made to date, the HondaJet 2600 Concept is the current answer to that need—the designation "2600" hints at the airplane’s top range, which is expected to be 2,625 nm.

Fujino says this airplane sits in a category of its own, blending “medium-sized jet experience with light-jet fuel efficiency,” reducing the carbon footprint of business jet travel. The airplane is expected to be about 40 percent more fuel efficient—compared with similar aircraft over typical missions—despite providing comparable performance, Fujino says. Those expected performance numbers are owing to the aircraft’s integrated design, incorporating the company’s “natural laminar flow” aerodynamics over the nose and wings, and a carbon composite fuselage that also allows the airplane to fly up to 47,000 feet msl. The over-the-wing engine mounts provide improved drag divergence, which adds to the aerodynamic benefits. These concepts have been proven in the original jet, and tested in the larger design through Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA aircraft design software and transonic wind tunnel testing, Fujino says.

With autothrottles, autobrakes, and the integrated Garmin G3000 avionics suite, the HondaJet 2600 Concept will be designed for single-pilot operations.

Honda Aircraft Company’s president and CEO Michimasa Fujino , who is also the lead designer for HondaJet business jets , introduced the HondaJet 2600 Concept standing in front of a full-scale mockup and a large crowd at the company’s exhibit at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas in October. [Courtesy: Honda Aircraft]

The HondaJet 2600 Concept is designed to fly up to 2,625 nm, enabling non-stop, coast-to-coast trips with one crewmember and four passengers . To help passengers get comfortable during long legs , two club seats in the cabin can be turned into a bed. With a purpose-designed mattress on top, the setup provides a comfortable space to take a nap. [Courtesy: Honda Aircraft]

The full-height galley in the 2600 Concept’s entryway has ample storage and the ability to connect a coffee maker. The cabinets are backlit, providing a modern and inviting touch to the entrance of the cabin. The cabin height from floor to ceiling is 62.5 inches . That’s not enough to be considered a stand up cabin, but it adds 4 .5 inches to the original HondaJet’s interior height. At 61 inches , the cabin is also 1 inch wider than that of its smaller sibling. [Courtesy: Honda Aircraft]

The original HondaJet had two skylights in the lavatory. This feature has been so popular that the new design adds two more skylights in the center of the cabin. The seat position can be customized with three levers . The front lever moves the footrest up and down. The middle lever tracks the seat for ward and aft, and can swivel the chair up to 180 degrees. The third lever reclines the seat. With 7 feet from seat back to seat back in the club configuration, passengers can relax without their feet overlapping. [Courtesy: Honda Aircraft]

The cargo compartment offers 120 cubic feet of space. The compartment can fit an enormous amount of luggage, as seen in this image, and it can also accommodate oversized items, such as mountain bikes, skis, and surfboards. [Courtesy: Honda Aircraft]

The cabin isn't the only thing that's grown with the design. Pilots will have more space, too, with an additional 3 inches of headroom and 6 more inches of legroom. The added space will improve comfort in the cockpit as well as ingress and egress. While the Garmin G3000 avionics suite will be customized to the 2600 Concept, enough commonality is planned to make for a smooth transition for pilots trained in the original HondaJet HA-420 model. [Photo: Stephen Yeates]

Since Honda Aircraft Company has not made a final commitment on the HondaJet 2600 Concept, there are not many specs to share. However, this is what the company has announced so far:

HondaJet 2600

Max cruise speed	450 ktas
NBAA IFR range (1 crew + 4 pax)	2,625 nm
Takeoff distance	3,300 ft.
Landing distance	2,500 ft.
Length	57.79 ft.
Wing span	56.72 ft.
Height	15.86 ft.
Interior length	25.38 ft.
Interior width	5.08 ft.
Interior height	5.21 ft.
Combined storage	120 cubic ft.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Q1 2022 issue of FLYING Magazine.

avionics Business Aviation From The Magazine Garmin G3000 Honda Aircraft HondaJet Laminar Flow light-jet fuel efficiency medium-size jet Michimasa Fujino NBAA-BACE over-the-wing engine mount

Pia BergqvistAuthor

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.