Heart Aerospace ES-36 Unveiled With JSX Order for 100 Aircraft

Swedish manufacturer Heart Aerospace unveiled the ES-36 hybrid-electric regional airliner on September 23, 2026, securing a deposit-backed orders from United States public charter carrier JSX for up to 100 Commercial-Aircraft. The commitment includes 50 firm orders and 50 purchase rights, providing a major financial endorsement for the newly redesigned twin-engine production model.

In a press release issued on September 23, 2026, Heart Aerospace detailed the transition from its previously announced ES-30 to the larger ES-36. The updated design offers a 20 percent increase in payload capacity and shifts to a simplified two-nacelle configuration, driven by data gathered from the mid-August 2026 first flight of the company’s X1 demonstrator aircraft.

Design Evolution and Performance Specifications

The ES-36 represents a significant structural and Propulsion pivot for Heart Aerospace. The aircraft features a 95-foot wingspan, which is approximately 11 feet shorter than the preceding ES-30 design. The propulsion system has been streamlined from four propellers to two, utilizing twin series-hybrid powertrains. Each Electric-Aviation motor generates 1.65 megawatts of power.

According to reporting by FLYING Magazine, the ES-36 marks a return to a series-hybrid configuration after the manufacturer temporarily explored an independent hybrid system starting in May 2024. The finalized architecture targets an all-electric range of 125 miles (200 kilometers) and a maximum hybrid range of 745 miles (1,200 kilometers), inclusive of standard reserves.

Heart Aerospace Chief Technology Officer Ben Stabler stated that the design changes stem directly from the X1 demonstrator testing program.

“The ES-36 design is a direct result of what Heart learned designing, building, testing and flying our X1 demonstrator aircraft. Those learnings have helped us make the production aircraft more capable in the air and more productive for operators.”

JSX Fleet Strategy and Route Network

The JSX order advances the carrier’s strategy to deploy zero-emission-capable aircraft on short regional segments. While the ES-36 is designed for 36 passengers, JSX operates under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 Regulations. This regulatory framework legally limits passenger capacity to 30 seats, dictating how the carrier will configure its incoming fleet.

Aviation Week reported that JSX intends to utilize the ES-36 for high-frequency, short-distance routes that are economically unviable for conventional turboprops or regional jets. JSX Chief Executive Officer Alex Wilcox highlighted historical routes along the California coast, such as flights between Santa Monica and Santa Barbara, as prime candidates for the hybrid-electric aircraft.

A key operational advantage for JSX is the reduced maintenance burden of electric propulsion. Wilcox noted to Aviation Week that electric motors lack the cycle sensitivity inherent to traditional turbofan and turboprop engines, allowing for point-to-point flying without prohibitive wear-and-tear costs. Heart Aerospace projects the ES-36 will deliver operating costs at least 40 percent lower than legacy regional aircraft.

Certification Timeline and Market Outlook

The JSX agreement builds upon an initial letter of intent signed in 2023 for the earlier ES-30 model. Heart Aerospace Founder and Chief Executive Officer Anders Forslund credited the charter carrier for championing electric aviation early in the development cycle.

Heart Aerospace is targeting the second half of 2028 for the first flight of the ES-36. The manufacturer anticipates achieving FAA Part 25 certification and subsequent entry into service by 2031.

AirPro News analysis

The transition from the ES-30 to the ES-36 demonstrates a maturation in Heart Aerospace’s design philosophy, prioritizing aerodynamic efficiency and payload over the complexity of a four-engine distributed propulsion system. By securing a firm, deposit-backed commitment from an established operator like JSX, we view Heart Aerospace as having successfully validated its redesign in the commercial market. The 1,415-pound payload increase directly addresses a common vulnerability in early electric aircraft designs, where heavy battery systems often severely restrict practical passenger and cargo capacity. If the 2031 entry-into-service target holds, the ES-36 could become a foundational asset for operators looking to revive dormant short-haul regional networks.

Sources: Heart Aerospace