Heart Unveils Redesigned Flagship Hybrid-Electric Airliner, JSX Order

New clean-sheet production aircraft improves on previously announced design’s payload capacity, simplicity, and capabilities.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 07:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

JSX converted its letter of intent for Heart’s ES-30 to a deposit-backed purchase commitment for 50 of the manufacturer’s new flagship ES-36, unveiled Wednesday. [Credit: Heart Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Heart Aerospace has pivoted to a new flagship hybrid-electric regional aircraft, the ES-36, which offers 36 seats, improved economics, and a longer hybrid-electric range of 745 miles compared to its previous ES-30 design.
The ES-36 features a simpler two-propeller design, a revised series-hybrid propulsion system, and an aerodynamically optimized airframe, targeting 40% lower operating costs and retaining a 125-mile all-electric range.
JSX has converted its letter of intent for the ES-30 into a deposit-backed order for 50 ES-36 aircraft (with options for 50 more), demonstrating strong confidence in the new design to expand its regional nonstop service.
The company aims for Part 25 certification for the ES-36 by 2031, with the first preproduction aircraft targeting its maiden flight in the second half of 2028.

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Hybrid-electric regional aircraft developer Heart Aerospace has pivoted to a new flagship aircraft intended to deliver 20 percent more passenger and payload capacity and better economics than its previously announced ES-30, with JSX placing a deposit-backed order for the clean-sheet design.

The company’s new ES-36 will have 36 seats, compared to 30 on its previous flagship design, and shift from four nacelles and propellers to two, which Heart said will reduce drag, simplify the integration of the hybrid-electric propulsion system, shrink the size of the wing, and lower maintenance costs. Like the ES-30, the ES-36 targets 40 percent lower operating costs versus legacy regional aircraft.