Hawker 400 vs Hawker 800

The Hawker 800 and Hawker 400 share a brand name and nothing else structurally. The Hawker 800 descends from the British Aerospace BAe 125-800 — a purpose-built large light jet with Honeywell TFE731-5BR engines, stand-up headroom, and a transatlantic range capability that made it one of the dominant mid-size jets of the 1980s and 1990s. The Hawker 400 descends from the Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond — a small Japanese-designed light jet that Beechcraft acquired as the Beechjet 400, Raytheon rebranded as the Hawker 400XP, and Textron eventually absorbed. Both are now Hawker by name; they are very different aircraft by everything else.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Hawker 400
For sale now
44
Median asking
$1,285,000
Range
$635,000–$1,631,850
Model years available
1986–2017
Hawker 800
For sale now
55
Median asking
$2,072,500
Range
$1,212,500–$3,000,000
Model years available
1985–2006

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Hawker 400Hawker 800
All events11
Serious00
Fatal00
Fatalities00
% Fatal0%0%

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Hawker 400 Hawker 800
Hawker 400
View 43 listings →
Median $1,285,000
Hawker 800
View 56 listings →
Median $2,072,500
Price Range $635,000 – $1,631,850 $1,212,500 – $3,000,000
Category Light Jet Midsize Jet
Model Specifications
Seats 8 8
Cruise Speed 450 kts (833 km/h) 400 kts (741 km/h)
Range 1,351 nm (2,502 km) 2,825 nm (5,232 km)
Service Ceiling 45,000 ft (13,716 m) 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
Max Gross Weight 16,300 lbs (7,394 kg) 27,400 lbs (12,429 kg)
Useful Load 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
Fuel Burn 160.0 GPH (606 L/h) 240.0 GPH (908 L/h)
Engines 2 x Turbofan 2 x Turbofan

Which Should You Buy: Hawker 400 or Hawker 800?

Bottom line: Choose the Hawker 400XP for lower acquisition cost, a lighter operating footprint, and a capable small light jet for four-to-five passenger missions under 1,500 nm. The 400XP's Collins Pro Line 21 avionics and Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 engines are well-supported. Choose the Hawker 800 when you need the larger cabin — the 800's stand-up headroom (5'9"), wider aisle, and full galley define a different tier of passenger experience. The 800's transatlantic range (approximately 2,700 nm) opens mission profiles the 400XP at 1,550 nm cannot address. Safety axis: both aircraft have solid twin-engine Type Certificate records; the Hawker 800's stand-up cabin means passengers can move about the aircraft on long legs, reducing discomfort-related incidents. No meaningful structural safety differential; differentiator is mission fit and cabin capability.

Pick the 400 if…

  • Budget matters — from $635,000 vs $1,212,500, you save ~$577,500.
  • Faster cruise — 450 kts vs 400 kts.

Pick the 800 if…

  • Longer range — 2825 nm vs 1351 nm.
  • More inventory — 56 listings vs 43.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built the Hawker 400 originally?
The Hawker 400 traces its lineage to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, which built the MU-300 Diamond in the early 1980s. Beechcraft acquired the type certificate and production rights in 1985, rebranding it the Beechjet 400 and later Beechjet 400A. Raytheon (which had acquired Beechcraft) rebranded it the Hawker 400XP when Raytheon rebranded its aviation group as Hawker Beechcraft. The aircraft is Japanese in design heritage but American in production and maintenance support.
What is the Hawker 800's cabin height?
The Hawker 800 has a cabin height of approximately 5 feet 9 inches — genuine stand-up headroom for most adults. This was one of the aircraft's strongest selling points against lighter jets and remains a real comfort advantage on missions over two hours. The Hawker 400XP has approximately 4 feet 8 inches of cabin height; comfortable sitting, but no standing.
Are Hawker 800 and 400 parts still available?
Yes, with some nuance. The Hawker 800 series has strong MRO support through Duncan Aviation, StandardAero, and Honeywell's TFE731 programs. The Hawker 400XP's P&W Canada JT15D-5 engines and Collins components also have active support. What requires attention is the broader Hawker Beechcraft corporate history — the company entered bankruptcy in 2012 and emerged as Beechcraft Corporation; Textron later acquired it. OEM parts support has been maintained, but buyers should validate current engine program terms and airframe parts availability for specific models.
Which is better, Hawker 400 or Hawker 800?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 400 cruises at 450 kts with 1,351 nm range. The 800 cruises at 400 kts with 2,825 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Hawker 400 and Hawker 800?
Cruise: 450 vs 400 kts. Range: 1351 vs 2825 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
400: 8 seats / 3,000 lb useful load. 800: 8 seats. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data