Dallas-based air carrier JSX has signed a deposit-backed agreement to purchase 50 newly unveiled hybrid-electric ES-36 aircraft from Heart Aerospace, with purchase rights for 50 more, as the company looks to expand service from smaller airports while lowering operating costs.
Heart Aerospace announced the agreement Wednesday as it unveiled the 36-seat ES-36, its new production aircraft.
The deal converts JSX’s 2023 letter of intent for Heart’s earlier ES-30 design into a deposit-backed purchase commitment and secures JSX early delivery positions. Heart Aerospace said it is targeting the aircraft’s first flight in the second half of 2028 and entry into service in 2031, following FAA Part 25 certification.
The order advances JSX’s broader effort to build a next-generation regional fleet centered on smaller airports and shorter nonstop routes.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, JSX announced in 2024 that it intended to acquire as many as 332 hybrid-electric aircraft from three manufacturers, including up to 100 Heart Aerospace ES-30s. The new agreement replaces that portion of the plan with Heart’s redesigned ES-36.
ES-36 Replaces Heart’s Earlier Design
The ES-36 is a substantial redesign of Heart Aerospace’s previously planned ES-30.
The new aircraft carries 36 passengers instead of 30 and adds 1,415 pounds of payload capacity, increasing both seating and payload by 20% while retaining the same maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity, according to Heart Aerospace.
The design also reduces the aircraft from four nacelles and propellers to two.
Each of the two series-hybrid powertrains uses a 1.65-megawatt electric motor to drive a propeller. Ground-charged batteries are designed to provide an all-electric range of 125 miles, plus reserves. For longer flights, gas-turbine-powered generators can produce electricity in flight, extending the aircraft’s projected hybrid range to 745 miles, plus reserves.
Heart says it is targeting operating costs at least 40% lower than legacy regional aircraft. That figure remains a company projection and will depend on certification, real-world operations, maintenance costs, energy prices, and other factors once the aircraft enters service.
JSX Says Smaller Airports Are Part Of The Plan
JSX CEO Alex Wilcox said the aircraft could help the carrier add more nonstop service from smaller airports.
“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,” Wilcox said in the announcement.
JSX currently serves 29 airports across the United States and Mexico with 56 Embraer ERJ-family aircraft and four ATR 42-600 turboprops, according to Heart Aerospace’s announcement.
That fleet description is also consistent with current aviation-industry reporting. Aviation Week reported Wednesday that JSX operates Embraer ERJ regional jets and ATR 42 turboprops.
The carrier’s ATR 42-600 operation is relatively new. JSX introduced its first ATR 42-600 into service in January.
Designed For Constrained Regional Airports
Heart says the ES-36’s smaller physical footprint is intended to make it more practical at regional airports with limited ramp, gate, and hangar space.
The aircraft has a 95-foot wingspan, about 11 feet shorter than the ES-30 design. Heart specifically identified airports including Santa Monica, Westchester County, Naples, and Napa Valley as examples of the type of markets the aircraft could serve.
The companies also plan to work together on cabin configuration, charging procedures, turnaround times, route planning, and airport readiness before the aircraft enters service.
Heart says the aircraft’s all-electric mode would produce no fuel burn during those short flights and reduce noise compared with conventional regional aircraft. Those benefits remain design goals until the production aircraft completes testing and certification.
Dallas Carrier Has Been Betting On Hybrid Electric Flight
The ES-36 agreement builds on JSX’s existing push toward hybrid-electric aviation.
In late 2023, JSX announced letters of intent covering aircraft from Heart Aerospace, Electra, and Aura Aero. That earlier plan included up to 100 Heart ES-30 aircraft, along with as many as 82 Electra aircraft and up to 150 Aura Aero aircraft.
The Dallas Express previously reported that JSX expected the new generation of aircraft to make service to smaller communities more economically viable.
The Heart portion of that strategy has now moved beyond a letter of intent.
Wednesday’s agreement is deposit-backed and gives JSX early delivery positions for 50 ES-36 aircraft, with purchase rights for another 50.
Heart Has Already Flown A Full Scale Electric Demonstrator
The ES-36 itself has not yet flown, but Heart Aerospace completed the first flight of its full-scale X1 battery-electric demonstrator in August.
The company said the X1 flew from Plattsburgh International Airport in New York on Aug. 12 for 27 minutes, reaching 1,100 feet above ground level while its all-electric propulsion system delivered more than one megawatt of power.
Heart described the aircraft as the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown.
The flight was conducted under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category, meaning it was a test aircraft rather than an aircraft approved for commercial passenger service.
The X1 was developed to test technology, aerodynamics, flight performance, and manufacturing capabilities relevant to Heart’s production aircraft.
The Aircraft Is Still Years Away
Despite JSX’s commitment, passengers should not expect to board an ES-36 anytime soon.
Heart is building its first pre-production ES-36 at its pilot manufacturing facility in Los Angeles and is targeting first flight in the second half of 2028.
Commercial entry into service is targeted for 2031, following FAA Part 25 certification.
That distinction is important.
A purchase agreement does not mean the aircraft is certified, delivered, or ready to carry passengers. Heart must still complete development, flight testing, certification, production approval, and airline integration before the ES-36 can enter commercial service.
The redesigned aircraft also represents a change from the timeline JSX discussed when it first announced its broader hybrid-electric fleet plans.
When The Dallas Express reported on JSX’s strategy in early 2024, the carrier expected its first hybrid-electric aircraft deliveries beginning around 2028. Heart’s current plan calls for its production model to enter service in 2031.
JSX Has Faced A Separate Regulatory Debate
JSX’s fleet plans are unfolding alongside a separate regulatory debate over the public-charter model under which it operates.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, federal regulators have considered changes affecting public charter carriers, while major airlines and labor groups have argued that operators such as JSX should face requirements closer to those imposed on traditional scheduled airlines.
JSX has disputed those criticisms and argued that changes could reduce competition and make it harder to serve smaller airports.
The ES-36 agreement does not resolve that debate, but it shows JSX continuing to plan for significant fleet expansion despite the aircraft remaining years from certification.
