Heart Aerospace to Launch First Fully Electric Test Flight of X1 Demonstrator in 2025

Swedish aerospace company Heart Aerospace is gearing up to conduct the maiden flight of its fully electric X1 demonstrator aircraft in the first quarter of 2025. The test will take place at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York, marking a key milestone in the development of the company’s next-generation regional aircraft.

The X1 is a full-scale demonstrator built with the same dimensions and configuration as the planned ES-30 hybrid-electric aircraft. It is designed to validate Heart Aerospace’s proprietary electric propulsion system under operational conditions. Success in this phase will be critical in advancing the company’s vision of sustainable, regional air travel.

In addition to propulsion system testing, the X1 program will also evaluate the aircraft’s communications and control systems. These systems are essential for ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations in increasingly complex airspace environments. Heart Aerospace is working closely with aviation authorities to ensure that its digital communication infrastructure meets the standards required for modern air traffic management and future integration with next-gen aviation systems.

Following the X1’s testing phase, Heart Aerospace will shift its focus to the development of the X2, a pre-production prototype. The X2 will integrate key upgrades based on findings from the X1 program and is expected to perform its first hybrid-electric flight in 2026.

The ES-30, which will eventually carry up to 30 passengers, is slated to enter commercial service later this decade. It is positioned to be one of the first viable hybrid-electric aircraft for regional routes, aligning with growing industry and regulatory pressure to reduce emissions.

Heart Aerospace’s work comes amid a global push toward cleaner aviation technologies, with governments and airlines alike seeking to meet ambitious climate targets.