Heart Aerospace

Electric Aviation · Aerospace · Advanced Air Mobility

Milestone

Heart Aerospace flies X1, largest electric aircraft ever built

The 27-minute test flight burned about $5 of electricity, a preview of the wide cost gap that could reshape regional airline economics.

• Heart Aerospace flew its X1 demonstrator for 27 minutes from Plattsburgh, New York on Aug. 12, reaching 1,100 feet — the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown at over 25,000 lbs and a 106-foot wingspan.
• Heart Aerospace, based in Los Angeles, built the X1 as a technology testbed for its ES-30, a planned 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner.
• The all-electric propulsion system generated more than one megawatt of power under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate, with the flight consuming roughly $5 of electricity.
• Heart is targeting 2031 for the ES-30's entry into service and says the aircraft could cut regional airline operating costs by more than 40% versus legacy turboprops.
• United Airlines, an early backer via United Airlines Ventures with a pre-commitment for 100 ES-30s, called the flight 'a major technical achievement.'
• Heart plans to begin flight tests of the pre-production ES-30 airframe, being built at its Los Angeles manufacturing facility, in 2028.
• Proving a commercial-scale aircraft can fly entirely on batteries strengthens the case that electric propulsion could meaningfully lower airline costs, not just cut emissions.