Heart Aerospace has unveiled the ES-36, a clean-sheet, 36-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner with a planned entry into service of 2031. US-based air carrier JSX has been announced as launch customer, having placed a deposit-backed purchase agreement for 50 ES-36 aircraft, with purchase rights for 50 more.
The ES-36 is an evolution of Heart’s previously announced ES-30 aircraft, with an aerodynamically optimised airframe that has enables more passenger capacity (six more passenger seats) and 1,415 pounds of additional payload capacity, while retaining the same maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity.
The refined design also changes the number of nacelles and propellers from four to two, saving weight and reducing the number of propulsion components that require maintenance. Heart Aerospace has also switched the ES-30’s four-engine independent-hybrid configuration, to a twin series-hybrid powertrain setup, each with a 1.65-megawatt electric motor that drives a propeller. Ground-charged onboard batteries provide an all-electric range of 125 miles (200 kilometres), plus reserves, allowing operators to serve short-haul routes with no fuel burn.
For longer missions, the ES-36 has a hybrid range of 745 miles (1,200 kilometres), plus reserves, enabled by a megawatt-class turbogenerator in each of its two powertrains. Each turbogenerator is powered by its own compact, commercially available gas turbine, which generates electricity in flight to supplement the batteries and power the electric propulsion motors. This range-extending capability is designed to give operators the full range and flexibility of a regional aircraft, combined with the cost benefits of an electrification powertrain.
Heart Aerospace is now building the first pre-production ES-36 aircraft at its pilot manufacturing plant in Los Angeles (Torrance, California), aiming for first flight in the second half of 2028 and entry into service in 2031, following FAA Part 25 certification.
“The ES-36 design is a direct result of what Heart learned designing, building, testing and flying our X1 demonstrator aircraft,” said Ben Stabler, CTO at Heart Aerospace, referring to the X1, a demonstrator regional airliner that would be the world’s largest all-electric aircraft, and served as a platform to develop the full-stack capabilities required to bring the ES-36 to market.
“Those learnings have helped us make the production aircraft more capable in the air and more productive for operators,” added Stabler. “The ES-36 carries more passengers and payload, creating greater revenue-generating potential for operators like JSX, while targeting operating costs at least 40% lower than legacy regional aircraft.”
The JSX order
JSX, a public charter operator founded in 2016, has converted its 2023 letter of intent with Heart Aerospace into a deposit-backed purchase commitment for 50 ES-36 aircraft, and secured early delivery positions. JSX has also secured purchase rights for 50 more ES-36 aircraft.
JSX’s support forms part of over US$9 billion in customer commitments from air carriers including United Airlines, Air Canada, and Loganair.
JSX operates as a hop-on public charter service in the USA (and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico), with a network of US community airports that includes Santa Monica, Westchester County, Naples, and Napa Valley. JSX currently operates 40 Embraer 145s in a 1×1 cabin layout with a 30 PAX capacity; 15 Embraer 135s with a 2×1 seat layout and capacity for 30 PAX; and 3 ATR 42s with a 2×1 seat layout and capacity for 30 PAX.
The short-field performance of the ES-36 will support operations at constrained airfields, while its compact footprint will help JSX make more efficient use of limited ramp, gate, and hangar space. With a 95-foot wingspan, (approximately 11 feet shorter than that of the ES-30), the ES-36 is designed to support higher-frequency service and greater aircraft utilisation at busy regional airfields.
The ES-36 also broadens the range of community airports that JSX can serve. Its all-electric operations, with zero emissions and low noise, help address community concerns that may constrain service, while the low operating costs make more non-stop routes viable for the carrier.
“The hybrid-electric ES-36 will enable more non-stop routes from more convenient airports while further elevating the award-winning, no-middle-seat onboard experience that JSX customers love,” said Alex Wilcox, CEO of JSX. “We’re excited to work with Heart to tailor the ES-36 to JSX’s operations.”
Heart will collaborate on an optimised cabin configuration for JSX’s ES-36s, and the companies will also work together on charging and turnaround procedures, route planning, and airport readiness.
