This New Electric Airliner Can Fly up to 36 Passengers Between Regional Airports
One California-based plane maker just showed it has a big heart—literally.
Today, Heart Aerospace unveiled a 36-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner designed to fly passengers to and from community airports with fewer emissions.
The new ES-36 builds upon the ES-30 model that Heart debuted in 2022 and the X1 demonstrator it flew earlier this year, but offers six more seats and 1,415 pounds of payload capacity. Even with that increase, the aircraft retains the same maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity as the previous design.
One California-based plane maker just showed it has a big heart—literally.
Today, Heart Aerospace unveiled a 36-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner designed to fly passengers to and from community airports with fewer emissions.
The new ES-36 builds upon the ES-30 model that Heart debuted in 2022 and the X1 demonstrator it flew earlier this year, but offers six more seats and 1,415 pounds of payload capacity. Even with that increase, the aircraft retains the same maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity as the previous design.
The newcomer features an aerodynamically optimized airframe that allows more space for passengers and payload, thereby increasing revenue potential. It also has two nacelles and propellers rather than four like its predecessor. That reduction in propulsion components lowers maintenance costs. Therefore, it is not only cheaper to run but can make more money, hence why it is Heart’s production aircraft.
The two hybrid powertrains each use a 1.65 MW electric motor to drive a propeller, with the onboard batteries providing an all-electric range of 125 miles. That means the ES-36 can execute short-haul routes without burning any fuel. The powertrains are also equipped with a turbogenerator, which is powered by a gas turbine that can generate electricity in flight to supplement the batteries and power the motor. That gives the aircraft a hybrid range of 745 miles, allowing it to carry out longer missions.
The ES-36 already has a few fans, too. JSX, the public charterCharterThe rental of a yacht, jet, or villa for a set period, often with crew included. Charters give travelers access to extraordinary experiences without the commitment of ownership, and demandGo to Charter Glossary operator, has agreed to buy 50 aircraft, with rights to purchase 50 more.
“The hybrid-electric ES-36 will enable more nonstop routes from more convenient airports while further elevating the award-winning, no-middle-seat onboard experience that JSX customers love,” adds JSX CEO Alex Wilcox.
The first pre-production ES-36 aircraft is currently under construction at Heart’s pilot manufacturing plant in Los Angeles, with first flight expected in the second half of 2028 and entry into service in 2031.
This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.
FAQs
The ES-36 is a hybrid-electric aircraft being developed by Heart Aerospace for short-haul and regional aviation, combining battery-powered flight with a turbogenerator for longer routes.
The ES-36 has a projected all-electric range of 125 miles, allowing it to operate short routes without burning fuel during flight.
The ES-36 has a projected hybrid range of 745 miles. Its onboard turbogenerator uses a gas turbine to produce electricity in flight, supplementing the batteries and powering the electric motors.
Public charter operator JSX has agreed to purchase 50 ES-36 aircraft, with rights to acquire another 50.
The first pre-production ES-36 is under construction at Heart Aerospace’s pilot manufacturing plant in Los Angeles. Its first flight is expected in the second half of 2028, with entry into service targeted for 2031.