Bionics is a systematic science that imitates or characterizes natural systems. The application of bionic technology to aircraft design provides a new principle and technical support for the improvement of aerodynamic performance, reduction of structural weight, which has a broad application prospect. In this paper, firstly, based on the demand for improving aircraft performance, the application of bionic technology in aviation engineering is classified, and the bionic biological prototypes, typical features, and bionic functions of bionic technology in aerodynamic morphology, aerodynamic drag reduction and noise reduction, bionic structural layout, and bionic lightweight structures of aircraft are summarized. Then application of aero-bionics and structure bionics of aircraft is overviewed. Finally, the potential application direction of bionic technology in aircraft is prospected, including comprehensive design of bionic lift and drag reduction, multi-scale and multi-level bionic lightweight design, integrated design of bionic structure and function, etc., which provides reference for the application of bionic technology in aeronautical engineering.