The Hawker Beechcraft 800 corporate jet series began in 1984 with the twinjet 800A, which was a development of the British Aerospace BAe 125. Using AlliedSignal TFE731-5R-1H engines, it has a range of approximately 2,415 nautical miles and a normal cruise speed of around 424 knots, and is one of the most popular jets in the range. The 800SP came next, with its only difference from the 800A being the addition of Hawker winglets.

The SP was followed, in 1995, by the 800XP model. This featured an external baggage compartment and more powerful AlliedSignal TFE731-5BR engines which improved both its range and its normal cruise speed. The 850XP was first delivered in 2006, with a range extended to 2,700 nautical miles, interior cabin redesign and an upgraded ProLine 21 avionics system in the cockpit.

The 800XPi was announced at the same time as the 850XP began production. The jets share the same specifications but the 800XPi does not have Hawker winglets. The 800XPR was announced in 2011 as an upgrade to the 800XP, featuring Honeywell TFE731-50R engines and a custom paint scheme.

Hawker Beechcraft also created military and search-and-rescue variants of the Hawker 800 series in the RC-800 and C-29, and the U-125A models, respectively.