Heart Aerospace has completed the maiden flight of its battery-electric X1 demonstrator at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York, using the full-scale aircraft to test electric propulsion, aerodynamics and flight performance ahead of development of its ES-30 hybrid-electric regional aircraft.
The manned flight took place on Aug. 12, 2026, and lasted 27 minutes. The aircraft reached an altitude of 335 metres and its electric powertrain delivered more than 1 megawatt of power during the test.
X1 Tests Electric Aircraft Technology
The X1 has a wingspan of 32.3 metres, a length of 23.2 metres and a height of 7.3 metres. Its take-off weight is approximately 11,340 kilograms.
Heart Aerospace describes the aircraft as the largest battery-electric aircraft to have flown. The company designed the demonstrator as a full-scale test platform for technologies that will be incorporated into its production aircraft.
The maiden flight included taxiing, take-off, climb, in-flight manoeuvres and landing. The aircraft operated under a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
“With the first flight of X1, Heart Aerospace has demonstrated electric flight at the scale of a commercial airliner,” said Anders Forslund, founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace.
Forslund said electrification could support more affordable and frequent air services while enabling cleaner operations and connections to airports closer to passengers.
X1 Provides Foundation for ES-30
The X1 is intended to validate technologies, aerodynamic characteristics and flight performance for Heart Aerospace’s ES-30. Unlike the battery-electric demonstrator, the ES-30 is planned as a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft.
Heart Aerospace said it has received customer commitments for the ES-30 from major air carriers including United Airlines, Air Canada and JSX. The aircraft is scheduled for market introduction in 2031.
The company plans to transfer capabilities developed through the X1 programme into the ES-30 development process.
“Through the X1 program, Heart has built the capability to design, build, test, operate, and continuously improve a clean-sheet electric commercial aircraft,” said Ben Stabler, chief technology officer.
Stabler said the company intends to apply that capability to the ES-30 as the first production aircraft in what Heart Aerospace describes as a broader technology platform for electric airliners.
Heart Aerospace Expands U.S. Operations
Heart Aerospace was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, before moving its official headquarters to Los Angeles in spring 2025.
The X1 flight at Plattsburgh International Airport represents a major test milestone for the company as it moves from technology development toward its planned commercial aircraft programme. The demonstrator will continue to serve as a platform for testing systems and performance relevant to the ES-30.