Astra 1125 vs Hawker 800: Speed, Cabin, and Value Compared

Two midsize jets from the 1980s still show up on charter lines and sales listings today. One was built for speed in the workshops of Israel. The other was built for comfort in the hangars of England. Put them side by side and the Astra 1125 vs Hawker 800 question comes down to one simple idea: what do you value most once the wheels leave the ground?

Both jets carry a similar number of people. Both use the same family of engines. Both can cross most of a continent without a fuel stop. Yet they feel like two different airplanes the moment you step through the door.

One asks you to duck your head a little as you walk to your seat. The other lets you stand tall and stretch. That small difference tells you almost everything about how these two jets were built to fly.

Key Takeaways

The Astra 1125 is the faster jet with a bit more range, while the Hawker 800 gives you a taller, wider, and roomier cabin. Your pick depends on if you want to arrive sooner or ride in more space. Both are dependable midsize business jets that share the same TFE731 engine family, and both cost far less to buy used today than any new jet in their class.

Curious what either jet is worth on today's market? Flying411 keeps a close eye on midsize jet listings, so you can see real numbers before you fall for a tail number.

Meet the Two Jets Behind the Comparison

Before we line up the specs, it helps to know where each jet came from. Their backgrounds shaped the way they fly, and once you see the family tree, the tradeoffs start to make sense.

Both aircraft landed in the same corner of the market. Both were aimed at buyers who wanted more than a light jet but did not need a heavy, long-range machine. The way each maker got there could not have been more different.

The IAI Astra 1125

The Astra grew out of an older Israeli jet called the Westwind. Israel Aerospace Industries took the good bones of that earlier design, kept a few pieces like the tail and engine mounts, and built a faster, smoother airplane around them. The result first flew in the mid-1980s and quickly earned a name as a speedster in its class.

The IAI Astra stands out for a few reasons. It uses a low, swept wing that keeps drag down and lets the jet cruise fast. Its fuselage has a squared-off, rectangular shape. That boxy cross-section looks unusual from the outside, but it helps open up the cabin on the inside for its size. You can read more about how it grew out of the older Westwind design if you want the full family story.

The Astra also went through a few upgrades over the years. The original 1125 gave way to the Astra SP, then the more powerful Astra SPX. The differences between the SP and SPX models come down to engines, avionics, and small aerodynamic tweaks. Later, when Gulfstream took over the program, the SPX became the Gulfstream G100. There was even a military C-38A version used for transport and medical flights.

Good to Know: The Astra 1125 shares its DNA with the Gulfstream G100 and G150. If you spot a G100 on a ramp, you are looking at a grown-up Astra with a new name.

The Hawker 800

The Hawker 800 has an even longer bloodline. It traces back through the British Aerospace 125 series all the way to the original de Havilland and Hawker Siddeley jets of the 1960s. By the time the 800 arrived in the early 1980s, the design had been refined for two decades.

The 800 started life as the BAe 125-800. After a string of ownership changes, it took on the Hawker name that most people know today. It came with a redesigned wing, uprated engines, and a modern cockpit for its era. Buyers liked its low cost per seat, and it sold in strong numbers.

The most popular version by far is the Hawker 800XP. The "XP" stands for extended performance. It brought stronger engines, a better wing borrowed from the larger Hawker 1000, and an outside baggage hold the earlier model lacked. Many owners today fly the XP rather than the original 800, though both share the same easy-going, roomy character.

Fun Fact: The Hawker 800 is widely known as one of the first business jets to carry a full glass cockpit, with flight data shown across several screens instead of rows of round dials.

Astra 1125 vs Hawker 800: The Head-to-Head Breakdown

Now for the part you came for. Here is how these two midsize jets compare across the things that matter most in daily flying. We will go point by point so you can see where each one pulls ahead.

Keep in mind that no single number wins the whole contest. A jet that is faster might be tighter inside. A jet with a bigger cabin might sip a little more fuel. The right answer depends on your trips, your passengers, and your budget.

1. Speed

The Astra is generally the faster of the two. It cruises at around 465 knots at its best, which is quick for a midsize jet. The Hawker 800 tops out closer to 448 knots. On a short hop, that gap barely shows. On a long cross-country leg, the Astra can shave meaningful minutes off the clock.

If speed is your top goal, the Astra has long been the class favorite. It was designed with fast cruise in mind, and it shows in the air. You can see how it fares against other quick jets in this look at the Astra versus the Learjet 60.

2. Range

The Astra also edges ahead on range. With long-range tanks and a light load, it can fly roughly 3,000 nautical miles. The Hawker 800 sits closer to 2,500 nautical miles in typical use. Both numbers cover most trips within a continent, but the Astra gives you a bit more reach before you plan a fuel stop.

For a coast-to-coast run in the United States with the wind against you, that extra range can be the difference between a nonstop and a pit stop. For shorter regional flying, both jets have plenty in the tank.

Why It Matters: Speed and range sound like small edges on paper. Over a full year of flying, they add up to fewer stops, shorter trips, and more nonstop city pairs you can reach.

3. Cabin Comfort

Here the Hawker turns the tables. Its cabin is taller and wider, and it offers true stand-up room for most passengers. Cabin height sits near 5.8 feet, with width around 6 feet. That extra space makes long flights feel easier, and it is a big reason the Hawker built such a loyal following.

The Astra cabin is narrower, at roughly 4.9 feet wide and about 5.6 feet tall. For its size, it is surprisingly open thanks to that boxy fuselage. Still, taller passengers will notice the difference the moment they board. When it comes to cabin comfort, the Hawker 800 simply gives you more room to move.

4. Engines

Both jets run on the same engine family: the Garrett, later Honeywell, TFE731. This is one of the most common business jet powerplants ever made, and that is good news for owners. Parts and shops are easy to find.

The TFE731 engines on the Astra produce a little less thrust than the versions on the Hawker, but the Astra is a lighter airframe. The Hawker uses stronger variants of the same engine to move its bigger cabin. Since both share the same engine roots, maintenance knowledge carries over between them.

5. Cockpit and Avionics

The Hawker 800 earned early praise for its glass cockpit, which was advanced for its time. Many jets in both fleets have since been upgraded with modern avionics to meet current airspace rules. When shopping, the avionics package on the individual aircraft often matters more than the model name.

The Astra also came with capable avionics, and later SP and SPX models added digital displays. If you are comparing two specific jets, check what each one has been fitted with. Two aircraft of the same model can carry very different panels.

Pro Tip: When you compare a specific Astra against a specific Hawker, look past the model badge. A well-upgraded panel, fresh paint, and a clean maintenance record can matter more than the small spec-sheet gaps between the two types.

6. Runway and Airport Access

Both jets do well at smaller airports. Each can use runways shorter than many large-cabin jets need, which opens up more destinations. The Hawker is known for solid short-field manners, and the Astra also handles tighter fields with ease.

This is one area where the two feel close. If your home base has a shorter runway, either jet should serve you well. Always check the numbers for your exact airport, elevation, and typical load before you decide.

7. Baggage Space

The Hawker 800XP added an external baggage hold that gives you easy, in-flight access to luggage. The original Hawker 800 and the Astra both carry gear, but the XP's outside compartment is a real convenience for ski trips, golf bags, and family loads.

If bags are a big part of your travel, the Hawker family, and the XP in particular, has a slight edge. The Astra still holds plenty for most trips, but its baggage layout is more modest.

8. Passenger Capacity

Both jets seat up to nine in a pinch, but typical layouts differ. The Astra usually flies with a comfortable six-seat, club-style setup. The Hawker often carries a full eight in its larger cabin, with a four-seat club and a three-place divan plus a single seat.

For a family or a small team, either works. For a full load of business travelers who want elbow room, the Hawker's bigger cabin makes the trip nicer. To see how the Astra measures up against another popular midsize jet, this comparison with the Citation VII adds helpful context.

Here is a quick side-by-side of the eight points above:

Shopping for a specific serial number? Flying411's marketplace lists midsize jets, overhauled TFE731 engines, and certified parts in one place, so you can weigh airframes without bouncing between a dozen tabs.

Owning One Today: Cost, Maintenance, and the Used Market

Both jets left production years ago, so every one you find is a used business jet. That has an upside. Prices are far below what any new midsize jet costs, which puts private jet travel within reach for more owners and operators.

The tradeoff is age. These are older airframes, so the health of each individual jet matters more than the model. A well-kept Hawker can be a better buy than a tired Astra, and the reverse is just as true. The paperwork tells the real story.

Here is what to weigh before you sign anything:

• Engine condition and programs. TFE731 engines are common and well supported, but overhauls are a major cost. Ask if the jet is on an engine maintenance program.
• Airframe hours and cycles. Lower is not always better, but the full history matters. A jet flown gently and kept current often beats a low-time jet that sat unused.
• Avionics status. Confirm the panel meets current airspace rules so you do not face a surprise upgrade bill.
• Maintenance records. Clean, complete logs are worth real money. Gaps are a red flag.
• Cabin condition. Interiors wear out. Fresh seats and finishes cost a lot to redo.

Heads Up: On any older jet, the engines can be the single biggest expense you face. Before you fall for a low sticker price, find out where each engine sits in its overhaul cycle. That one detail can swing the true cost by a wide margin.

Operating costs between the two are broadly similar, since they share the same engine family and sit in the same class. Fuel burn, crew, and hangar fees land in comparable ranges. The Hawker's larger cabin can mean a touch more weight to haul, while the Astra's speed can trim time on longer legs.

Keep in Mind: The cheapest jet to buy is rarely the cheapest jet to own. A slightly pricier aircraft with fresh engines, current avionics, and clean logs often costs less over five years than a bargain jet with deferred work.

Values shift with the market, engine status, and upgrades. If you own one of these jets or plan to buy, it pays to check a current aircraft valuation rather than guessing from old listings.

Quick Tip: Get a fresh valuation before you list or make an offer. Prices on older midsize jets move with fuel costs, demand, and how many are for sale that month.

Which Jet Makes More Sense for You

By now you can see the shape of the choice. Neither jet is the clear winner for everyone. The right pick depends on how you fly and who flies with you.

Choose the Astra 1125 if:

• You want the faster jet and the longer legs.
• You often fly shorter routes with a smaller group.
• You like the idea of a jet tied to the Gulfstream family for support and resale.
• You value speed over a few extra inches of cabin space.

Choose the Hawker 800 if:

• You want a taller, wider cabin for longer, more comfortable trips.
• You regularly carry a full load of passengers.
• You want easy baggage access, especially with the 800XP.
• You like a jet with a huge global support network and lots of shops that know it well.

For many buyers, the deciding factor is simple. If your passengers spend hours in the cabin and want room to stretch, the Hawker's space wins. If you fly point to point and want to get there fast, the Astra's speed and range pull ahead.

There is no wrong answer here. These are both proven midsize jets that have served owners well for decades. The best one is the one that fits your trips, your people, and your budget.

Ready to see what is for sale right now? Browse current midsize jet listings on Flying411 and set your search before the good ones move.

Conclusion

The Astra 1125 vs Hawker 800 debate is really a question about priorities. The Astra hands you speed and range in a sleek, efficient package. The Hawker hands you room, comfort, and a cabin you can stand up in. Both share the same trusted engine family, both handle smaller airports with ease, and both cost a fraction of a new jet today.

Pick the one that matches how you travel, then focus on finding a clean, well-kept example. In the used market, the right individual aircraft beats the right model name every time.

When you are ready to buy, sell, or price a midsize jet, Flying411 puts aircraft, engines, parts, and trusted aviation pros in one place, so you can make the call with real numbers instead of guesswork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Astra 1125 the same as the Gulfstream G100?

Not exactly, but they are close relatives. The Astra 1125 is the earlier model, and after upgrades and a change in ownership, the later Astra SPX was rebranded as the Gulfstream G100.

How many passengers can the Hawker 800 seat comfortably for a long flight?

A typical Hawker 800 carries about eight passengers in comfort, with a club section and a divan. Its taller, wider cabin makes those seats feel roomier than many rivals on longer trips.

Are parts still available for the Astra 1125?

Yes. Because the Astra shares the widely used TFE731 engine family and is tied to the Gulfstream lineage, engine parts and support remain broadly available, though some airframe parts can take longer to source on older jets.

Which jet is cheaper to operate per hour?

The two land in a similar range since they share the same engine family and jet class. Actual costs depend more on engine status, avionics, and how each specific aircraft has been maintained than on the model itself.

Did the military use either of these jets?

Yes. A version of the Astra served in a military transport and medical role as the C-38A, and Hawker 800 variants have been adapted for military and special-mission use by several air forces around the world.