Using just $5 worth of electricity, Heart Aerospace was able to complete its first flight of its experimental all-electric X1 demonstrator aircraft, flying for 27 minutes and reaching an altitude of 1,100 feet.

Weighing 25,000 lbs, and measuring 76 feet long with a 106-foot wingspan, the X1 is a full-scale demonstrator representative of Heart’s ES-30 production aircraft, designed to validate key technologies, aerodynamics and flight performance, and Heart’s organizational capabilities.

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Credit: Heart Aerospace

On August 12, 2026, the aircraft took off from Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG), New York, flying for a total of 27 minutes and reaching an altitude of 1,100 feet, using a conservative test profile covering taxiing, takeoff, climbing, basic maneuvering and landing.

The planned ES-30 will be a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner. Unlike the battery-only X1, it will combine electric propulsion with a conventional thermal power source to extend its range. Heart currently advertises approximately 125 miles in all-electric operation and 500 miles in hybrid operation, with certification and entry into service targeted for 2031. A pre-production aircraft is expected to begin flight testing in 2028.

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Credit: Heart Aerospace

Even though the company has a long road ahead of them, this is obviously an important first step proving that hybrid air travel is a distinct possibility. United Airlines (via Mesa Airlines) has placed an order for 100 aircraft with 50 options, while Air Canada has an order for 30. JSX has also submitted a letter of intent for up to 100 units, while other carriers such as SAS, Icelandair, Loganair, Braathens Regional Airlines, Sevenair and Sounds Air have all expressed serious interest in acquiring ES-30s some time in the future.

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