Wheels Up: Airports And Accessibility

Wheels Up is a provider of on-demand private aviation in the United States and one of the largest private aviation companies in the world. The company offers a range of membership options, from entry-level to business memberships, allowing customers to book private aircraft from the company's fleet or third-party operators through a mobile application. Wheels Up primarily focuses on smaller markets that are underserved by commercial airlines, but it also operates larger aircraft for access to more popular markets. The company has faced financial troubles, with a high turnover of executives and significant losses since going public. However, through acquisitions and partnerships, Wheels Up continues to expand its global reach and provide a wide range of aviation solutions to its customers.

Wheels Up's global charter capabilities

Wheels Up is a provider of "on-demand" private aviation in the United States and one of the largest private aviation companies in the world. It was founded in 2013 by Kenny Dichter, using a membership/on-demand business model.

Wheels Up members can book private aircraft from the company fleet and third-party operators using a mobile application. The company focuses on non-hub markets that commercial airlines service less effectively. Wheels Up's marketing strategy involves entertainment at major sports and cultural events for their VIP members throughout the year.

Wheels Up's first-of-its-kind partnership with Delta, along with the company's private fleet and global charter capabilities, allows Wheels Up to offer a wide range of safety-vetted aviation solutions. As a result, Wheels Up is positioned to provide the right aircraft for the right mission, creating the opportunity for customers to select a mode of travel that works for their specific needs, for every trip to any destination, creating customer experiences worth repeating.

Fliers with predictable annual spend can utilize Wheels Up Membership, where a small annual fee and upfront funded flight hours unlock increased flexibility and expanded global access with guaranteed availability and recovery within the U.S., U.K. and Europe. Wheels Up Membership provides price protection by featuring capped member costs on high-demand days and reduced rates that optimize affordability during non-peak travel times – a combination that has already resulted in meaningful member savings.

Connect is Wheels Up's entry-level offering. The cost of this membership is typically $2,995 for the first year and $2,495 for all subsequent renewals. However, you can currently purchase a year-long membership for $1,995 through Costco. It's ideal for those who want access to Wheels Up's main features, such as sharing flights and booking empty leg flights without a high upfront commitment. You're allowed up to two authorized lead passengers. Benefits of a Connect membership include access to up to four Hot Flights per year, where you can book empty-leg flights from $320 for the entire aircraft. You can also "fly by the seat" on scheduled shuttle flights between New York and Nantucket in the summer or charter flights when you don't need the entire aircraft. If you're looking to propose your own shared charter, you can do so through Wheels Up's members-only community forums.

Membership options and costs

Wheels Up is a leading provider of "on-demand" private aviation services in the United States and is one of the largest private aviation companies in the world. It offers a complete global aviation solution with a large and diverse fleet and a global network of safety-vetted charter operators.

Wheels Up offers a membership/on-demand business model. Members can book private aircraft from the company fleet and third-party operators using a mobile application. The company has not shared the costs of its membership plans publicly. However, it has introduced an entry-level membership option called Wheels Up Connect, which costs $2,995 per year. This option does not include guaranteed access to the Wheels Up members-only fleet of King Air 350i and Citation Excel/XLS aircraft, which have fixed hourly rates. However, Connect Members can use the Charter Marketplace to book off-fleet aircraft with variable pricing from over 1,200 Wheels Up safety-vetted and verified aircraft flown by approved third-party operators.

Additionally, Wheels Up offers price protection by capping member costs on high-demand days and reducing rates during non-peak travel times. Members can also earn Diamond Medallion Status with Delta based on their Wheels Up spend and use funds on deposit to purchase seats on commercial Delta flights. Eligible members also receive a 20% discount on certain Delta fares on select routes.

For travellers who prefer to pay as they go, Wheels Up Charter allows customers to book ad-hoc trips with no upfront costs. The company also offers Hot Flights, which are empty leg flights that can be booked for as low as $320 for the entire aircraft.

Wheels Up also provides access to shared flights, shuttle flights, and signature events through its membership program. It offers complimentary FoundersCard Membership and access to its Flight Desk for on-demand charter. The company's marketing strategy includes entertainment at major sports and cultural events for their VIP members throughout the year.

Aircraft types

Wheels Up is a provider of "on-demand" private aviation services in the United States and is one of the largest private aviation companies in the world. It was founded in 2013 by Kenny Dichter, who implemented a membership/on-demand business model. Wheels Up members can book private aircraft from the company fleet and third-party operators using a mobile application.

Wheels Up operates a fleet of 330 owned and managed aircraft, with access to a further 1,200 aircraft in all private aircraft cabin classes through a network of third-party operators. The company focuses on smaller markets where commercial airlines do not typically fly, so it has purchased smaller aircraft to operate more locally. However, Wheels Up has also purchased several larger aircraft to access more popular markets. The company's fleet is quite varied, featuring three main types of aircraft, plus a variety of others across all cabin sizes.

The largest aircraft Wheels Up operates is a single Gulfstream G450, a derivative of the Gulfstream IV family. The Gulfstream G450 is an upgraded version of the GIV, which was first introduced in 1985. The G450 features improved performance and a new avionics system that includes a heads-up display (HUD). It utilizes an upgraded wing with weight reduction and a new contour.

Wheels Up also operates several Citation X jets, which were once among the fastest business jets globally. Cessna introduced the Citation X in July 1996, and it took the private aviation industry by storm due to its high cruise speed and competitive range. The Citation X changed the perception of the Citation family, which was previously known for slower and easier-to-handle jets. The Citation X is extremely luxurious and features a Honeywell SPZ 8000 avionics system.

Another aircraft in the Wheels Up fleet is the Cessna Citation XLS, part of the famous Citation Excel family of business jets. The Citation Excel was first introduced in 1998, and the Citation XLS entered the market in 2004. This aircraft can accommodate up to seven passengers and offers the amenities of a midsize-cabin jet while being capable of flying into and out of smaller airports.

The Cessna Citation CJ3 is a light business jet and part of the CitationJet series of aircraft. Cessna has released several longer variants, including the CJ2, CJ3, and CJ4. The Citation CJ3 features two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofan engines, while later models utilize Williams FJ44 turbofan engines, providing over 3,000 pounds of thrust each.

Airports and destinations

Wheels Up is a provider of "on-demand" private aviation in the United States and one of the largest private aviation companies in the world. It was founded in 2013 and focuses on non-hub markets that commercial airlines service less effectively.

The company has sold thousands of individual and corporate memberships and owns a large fleet of aircraft, including King Airs and Citations. Wheels Up's marketing strategy involves entertainment at major sports and cultural events for their VIP members throughout the year.

In terms of airports and destinations, Wheels Up offers global access through options for membership and charter. The company works with strategic partners like Delta Air Lines to provide a high level of flexibility and meet the needs of discerning travellers. Wheels Up can provide the right aircraft for specific missions and create customer experiences worth repeating.

For example, Wheels Up members can book private aircraft from the company fleet and third-party operators using a mobile application. Connect is Wheels Up's entry-level offering, which allows access to features like sharing flights and booking empty-leg flights. Benefits include access to Hot Flights, where you can book empty-leg flights at a discounted rate for the entire aircraft. Members can also "fly by the seat" on scheduled shuttle flights between New York and Nantucket in the summer or charter flights when they don't need the entire aircraft.

Additionally, Wheels Up offers non-flying benefits such as access to "signature" events and a complimentary FoundersCard membership, which provides discounts on various airlines and shortcuts to airline and hotel elite status. Wheels Up also provides Inspirato Hot Nights, offering specific properties at fixed dates for special rates.

Company acquisitions

Wheels Up is a leading provider of "on-demand" private aviation services in the United States and one of the largest private aviation companies in the world. The company was founded in 2013 by Kenny Dichter, who served as its CEO until his resignation in May 2023.

In terms of company acquisitions, Wheels Up has been involved in several notable deals:

• Acquisition by Delta Air Lines: In December 2019, Delta Air Lines announced that it had taken a stake in Wheels Up, becoming its largest investor. The following year, Delta Air Lines merged Wheels Up with its Delta Private Jets subsidiary, resulting in a combined fleet of 190 aircraft.
• Merger with Aspirational Consumer Lifestyle Corp: In 2021, Wheels Up merged with the special-purpose acquisition company, Aspirational Consumer Lifestyle Corp. This merger made Wheels Up the first private aviation company to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "$UP".
• Acquisition of GrandView Aviation's fleet: In November 2024, Wheels Up acquired 17 Embraer Phenom 300 and 300E aircraft from GrandView Aviation, along with associated maintenance assets and customer programs. This acquisition expanded Wheels Up's operational capabilities and service offerings.
• Acquisition of Air Partner: In February 2022, Wheels Up announced its agreement to acquire Air Partner, a global aviation services company. This acquisition was expected to enhance Wheels Up's brand equity and international presence, leveraging Wheels Up's investments in operations, service, and technology.
• Sale of Private Jet Management Arm to Airshare: In August 2023, Wheels Up sold its private jet management arm to Airshare, the 11th-largest private jet operator in the U.S. at the time. This deal brought about 90 managed aircraft to Airshare, with approximately one-third on a Part 135 certificate and the remainder under Part 91. Wheels Up refuted rumors that it planned to transition from an operator to a broker model following this sale.

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