Heart Aerospace has unveiled the ES-36, a redesigned 36-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner, alongside a deposit-backed purchase agreement from JSX for 50 aircraft, with rights to buy 50 more. The move replaces the earlier ES-30 concept with the Swedish manufacturer’s production aircraft and gives the programme its first major commercial commitment.
The ES-36 keeps Heart’s hybrid-electric approach but shifts to a simpler two-nacelle layout and series-hybrid propulsion. Compared with the ES-30, the new model adds six seats and 1,415 pounds of payload while retaining the same maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity. Heart says the aircraft uses twin 1.65-megawatt electric motors, with a 125-mile all-electric range and a 745-mile hybrid range.
Heart is building the first pre-production ES-36 in Los Angeles, with first flight targeted for the second half of 2028 and entry into service in 2031, pending FAA Part 25 certification. Reuters said financial terms were not disclosed, and Heart indicated that existing interest from United Airlines and Air Canada is expected to shift from the ES-30 to the ES-36.