Heart Aerospace X1 completes first electric flight

X1 first flight 12 August 2026 from Plattsburgh International Airport
27-minute flight reaching 1,100 feet with one megawatt electric power
11.3 metric tonne aircraft largest battery-electric ever flown
Wingspan 106 feet, length 76 feet, weight over 25,000 pounds
ES-30 30-seat regional aircraft targeted for 2031 service entry

Heart Aerospace has completed the first test flight of its X1 demonstrator aircraft, which is now the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown, from Plattsburgh International Airport in New York state on 12 August 2026. The 11.3 metric tonne electric aircraft flew for 27 minutes, reaching 1,100 feet and delivering more than one megawatt of electric power. The piloted flight took place under the Federal Aviation Administration’s experimental airworthiness guidelines, with the all-electric propulsion system using approximately $5 worth of electricity.

The X1 demonstrator features a 106-foot wingspan, 76-foot length, and weighs more than 25,000 pounds at takeoff, representing a milestone in commercial electric aviation development. The Swedish developer will use data from the X1 testing to develop the ES-30, a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airplane designed for commercial airlines. Heart Aerospace expects the ES-30 to cut airline operating costs by over 40pc compared to conventional regional aircraft.

A pre-production model is planned to fly in 2028, with a goal to enter official commercial service by 2031. The successful test marks a step toward zero-emission aviation and demonstrates the viability of large electric aircraft for regional routes. Heart Aerospace continues to work with commercial partners to develop the ES-30 programme.

Quote: Heart Aerospace shared the X1 demonstrator is now the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown, with the successful test marking a step toward commercial electric aviation.