Heart Aerospace has completed the first flight of its X1 demonstrator, marking a major milestone in the development of large-scale electric aviation.
At 106 feet across and 76 feet from nose to tail, with a takeoff weight of more than 25,000 pounds, the X1 is now the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown.
The flight took place on August 12, 2026, at Heart’s flight-test base at Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York. The piloted test lasted 27 minutes and saw the aircraft reach 1,100 feet above ground level while its all-electric propulsion system delivered more than one megawatt of power.
The flight was conducted under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category. The test programme included taxiing, takeoff, climb, manoeuvring and landing, with the objective of demonstrating all-electric flight at a scale relevant to commercial aviation.
A full-scale test for the ES-30
Powered entirely by batteries, the X1 used approximately $5 worth of electricity during its first flight.
The test comes as global jet fuel prices remain under pressure. Average prices reached $3.50 per gallon for the week ending August 7, representing a 63% increase compared with the same period a year earlier.
For Heart Aerospace, the contrast highlights the potential of electric propulsion to reduce aircraft operating costs while limiting airlines’ exposure to fluctuations in global oil prices.
“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 electric commercial aircraft could significantly change airline economics and eventually make regional air travel more affordable, frequent and cleaner.
The X1 is designed as a full-scale demonstrator for Heart’s planned ES-30 production aircraft. It is being used to validate key technologies, aerodynamic characteristics and flight performance, while also helping the company develop the organisational capabilities required to design, build, test and operate a commercial electric aircraft.
The ES-30 is a conventional fixed-wing, 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft being developed for FAA Part 25 certification.
The programme has already attracted commitments from major airlines, including United Airlines, Air Canada and JSX.
Airlines back the technology
United Airlines has supported the development of Heart’s programme, with the carrier highlighting the potential benefits of electric aircraft for both passengers and airline operations.
Michael Leskinen, chief financial officer of United Airlines, described the X1’s first flight as a major technical achievement and said the airline looks forward to the continued development of the ES-30 and its potential future role within United’s network.
Air Canada has also invested in Heart Aerospace and the ES-30 as part of its efforts to support emerging aviation technologies.
John Di Bert, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Air Canada, said the transition toward more sustainable aviation will require multiple solutions, ranging from operational improvements and sustainable aviation fuels to entirely new aircraft technologies.
He described the X1 flight as an important milestone for the ES-30 programme and for the future of regional aviation.
More than 40% lower operating costs targeted
Heart Aerospace is targeting entry into service for the ES-30 in 2031.
The company expects the aircraft to reduce operating costs by more than 40% compared with legacy regional aircraft. The projected savings are expected to come from lower energy costs, reduced maintenance requirements associated with simplified electric propulsion and electrified flight systems, as well as improved aircraft availability and reliability.
Heart also expects the cost advantage to increase over time as battery technology improves and crew efficiency benefits from technology-enabled developments.
The company says the ES-30 should also have lower exposure to an expanding range of emissions-related aviation taxes and fees worldwide.
ES-30 pre-production aircraft already under development
The X1 programme has also allowed Heart to develop capabilities covering the complete aircraft development cycle, from design and manufacturing to testing, operation and continuous improvement.
“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.
Heart is now applying that experience to the ES-30, which the company sees as the first production aircraft in a broader platform for future electric airliners.
The first pre-production ES-30 is currently being developed at Heart’s pilot manufacturing plant in Los Angeles, with flight testing scheduled to begin in 2028.
