HONDA

HondaJet 2600 Concept: the future tough rival for the Embraer Phenom 300

Aircraft with capacity for up to 11 occupants was revealed as the HondaJet 2600 Concept in 2021 and is expected to enter service in 2028

Honda Aircraft Company has officially named its second executive jet, the HondaJet Echelon (Escalão in Portuguese). The aircraft for up to 11 occupants will be positioned above the HondaJet Elite II and a model was presented at the NBAA-BACE fair this week, in Las Vegas (USA).

The Echelon emerged as the HondaJet 2600 Concept in 2021 and had its series production confirmed in June. Honda plans to carry out the inaugural flight in 2026 and entry into service in 2028.

The aircraft follows the concept of the original HondaJet, with engines installed in pods on the wings, which free up internal space in the fuselage and offer 20% greater fuel efficiency than jets of the same size.

Honda therefore promises exceptional performance that includes non-stop transcontinental flight in the USA thanks to a range of 2,625 nautical miles (4,862 km) with one pilot and four passengers.

The maximum planned cruising speed is 450 knots (833 km/h) at an altitude of 47,000 feet (14,325 meters). Echelon promises a great level of automation and electrification, to be certified with single-pilot flight.

“The HondaJet Echelon was born to create a new category that transcends the conventional light jet travel experience,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Hideto Yamasaki. “Expanding mobility skyward has been Honda’s long-time dream, and the HondaJet Echelon marks the exciting next chapter while delivering a classic Honda story of a product that creates new value for people.”

According to the manufacturer, which is based in Greenboro, USA, the critical review of the project (CDR in English) should take place in mid-2024, when the assembly of the first test aircraft will also begin.

The Echelon will be a tough opponent for Embraer's Phenom 300E, which currently leads sales in its segment. If the scenario of the HondaJet Elite versus Phenom 100 dispute repeats, Honda could do well: from 2015 to 2022, its debut model had 226 deliveries against just 81 aircraft from the Brazilian airliner.

Vivaero