Heart Aerospace Flies the World’s Largest Fully Electric Aircraft for the First Time

Technology

Swedish-American company Heart Aerospace has flown its full-scale X1 demonstrator for the first time. The company describes the aircraft as the largest fully electric aircraft ever to take flight. The test flight took place on August 12, 2026, in Plattsburgh, New York, marking a key milestone in the development of the 30-seat ES-30 hybrid-electric regional aircraft.

Heart Aerospace Flies the World’s Largest Fully Electric Aircraft for the First Time
The X1 serves as a technology platform for testing systems intended for the ES-30. The demonstrator has a 32-metre wingspan and is powered entirely by batteries. Heart Aerospace previously received a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing piloted flight testing.

The next phase will expand flight testing and generate data for further development of the aircraft. According to Heart Aerospace, the X1 is designed to validate the electric propulsion system and other key technologies under real flight conditions.

The X1 is being used to support development of the ES-30, a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft. Heart Aerospace lists an all-electric range of 200 kilometres and a hybrid range of up to 800 kilometres with 25 passengers. The company is targeting type certification in 2031.

Heart Aerospace expects the ES-30 to reduce direct operating costs by more than 40% compared with conventional regional aircraft. The programme has attracted industry partners including Air Canada and United Airlines.

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