Heart Aerospace X1 completes first flight of world's largest electric aircraft

Heart Aerospace has successfully completed the maiden flight of its X1 demonstrator, which is described as the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown. The test flight took place on August 12, 2026, at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York. The aircraft, which has a 106-foot wingspan and a takeoff weight exceeding 25,000 pounds, remained airborne for 27 minutes and reached an altitude of 1,100 feet.

The flight, conducted under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category, included taxiing, takeoff, climbing, maneuvering, and landing. During the mission, the all-electric propulsion system delivered over one megawatt of power. Notably, the company reported that the electricity used for the entire 27-minute flight cost approximately $5.

The X1 serves as a technology demonstrator for the company’s upcoming ES-30, a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft. Heart Aerospace aims to develop the ES-30 to reduce regional airline operating costs by over 40% compared to traditional turboprop aircraft. The ES-30 is targeted for commercial service by 2031, with a planned hybrid range of up to 500 miles and a purely electric range of 125 miles.