Heart Aerospace announces new ES-36 with more payload, JSX 100 aircraft order 

Heart Aerospace took the industry by surprise on September 23, 2026, by unveiling a new hybrid-electric aircraft, called ES-36, alongside the announcement of an order from US premium regional carrier JSX for up to 100 units of the new model. 

The ES-36 is an evolution of the ES-30 aircraft, the baseline model which Heart Aerospace was known to be working on. However, the new aircraft includes some significant differences when compared to the latter. 

First, the ES-36 features a much larger payload than the ES-30. It will be able to carry up to 36 passengers (hence its name) instead of the 30 of the ES-30 as well as an additional 1,415 extra pounds (641kg). According to Heart Aerospace, this capacity increase will not bring any changes to the maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity of the original design. 

Another important change concerns the aircraft’s propulsion. While the ES-30 was four-engined, the ES-36 will be powered by a couple of twin hybrid powertrains, each combining a 1.65-megawatt electric motor with a gas turbine. 

If flying only on batteries, the range of the ES-36 will be 125 miles (200 kilometers), although in hybrid-mode it will be able to reach 745 miles (1,200 kilometers). These range estimates do not take reserves into consideration. 

The wing design has also been altered. The ES-36 will feature a 95-foot (29-meter) wingspan, which is approximately 11 feet (3.5 meters) shorter than that of the ES-30.  

These design changes have been in great part motivated by the findings the company has derived from the X-1 demonstrator, an experimental aircraft that completed its first test flight in August 2026. The startup had already been conducting ground tests with the X-1 at Plattsburgh, New York, for several months. 

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A new workhorse for JSX 

Perhaps as surprising as the unveiling of the latest aircraft design iteration was the news that the ES-36 has already received its first order from JSX. The US semi-private regional carrier, which provides a premium travel experience flying out of small regional airports, has ordered up to 100 of the aircraft type.  

To do so, JSX converted a letter of intent (LoI) signed with Heart Aerospace in 2023 into a deposit-backed purchase commitment for 50 aircraft, plus another 50 options. The deal also secures early delivery positions for the air carrier.  

“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,” said JSX CEO, Alex Wilcox in a press release announcing the order. “We’re excited to work with Heart to tailor the ES-36 to JSX’s operations.”  

JSX, which primarily operates a fleet of Embraer ERJ135 and ERJ145 jets, has recently started to use ATR turboprops, as it seeks to launch regional routes out of operationally constrained airports, such as Santa Monica (SMO), in the Los Angeles area, where jet aircraft have difficulty in meeting noise limitations.  

As part of this deal, JSX and Heart Aerospace will collaborate not only in the design of the cabin interior, but also in the operational procedures that enable the ES-36 to meet the expectation of service agility and excellence from JSX’s premium clientele. 

Heart Aerospace also announced that it has started building the first ES-36 pre-production airframe at the company’s pilot manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, California. The startup is targeting the second half of 2028 for its first flight, and 2031 for entry into service. This last step will be conditional on the ES-36 obtaining its type certification under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 25 framework. 

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The post Heart Aerospace announces new ES-36 with more payload, JSX 100 aircraft order  appeared first on AeroTime.

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