Honda Aircraft Company has announced that the HondaJet Elite II has become the first production model twin-turbine very light business jet certified to equip Emergency Autoland (EAL), following certification of the system by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The certification enables U.S.-registered HondaJet Elite II aircraft to be equipped with Emergency Autoland, a system designed to enable the aircraft to land autonomously in an emergency scenario where the pilot becomes incapacitated. Honda Aircraft Company is also pursuing certification of the system with regulators in other international markets.

According to the company, the introduction of Emergency Autoland has been highly anticipated by HondaJet Elite II owners and operators in the United States. The system forms part of the manufacturer’s broader strategy to enhance operational safety and aircraft capability.

“Adding Emergency Autoland to the HondaJet Elite II demonstrates our commitment to delivering new value to our customers,” said Hideto Yamasaki, President and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company. He added that the system provides customers with additional peace of mind during operations.

Emergency Autoland can be activated either manually via a dedicated cockpit control or automatically through onboard monitoring systems that detect pilot unresponsiveness. Once activated, the system transmits an emergency code and automatically initiates radio communication with air traffic control.

The system is designed to autonomously assess weather conditions, terrain, fuel state and runway availability to determine the most suitable diversion airport. It then configures the aircraft for landing, navigates the approach path, conducts the landing and applies braking to bring the aircraft to a full stop on the runway.

In October 2024, the HondaJet Elite II became the first twin-turbine very light business jet to equip Autothrottle technology, a system that supports Emergency Autoland functionality. Certification flight testing for Emergency Autoland was completed in October 2025.

Honda Aircraft Company, founded in 2006 and headquartered in North Carolina, is responsible for the research, development, manufacture, sales and support of the HondaJet Elite II. The company operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

In 2023, Honda Aircraft Company announced development plans for the HondaJet Echelon, an 11-occupant aircraft that will be offered alongside the HondaJet Elite II. The company reported cumulative HondaJet deliveries exceeding 250 aircraft globally by 2024.