Latest news with #WheelsUp
WIRED
02-07-2025
- Business
- WIRED
Affluent Travelers Are Ditching Business Class for Business Jets
Jul 2, 2025 11:00 AM With a rise in 'semiprivate' carriers, new booking tech, and commercial airline partnerships, it's never been easier to fly private. We're cruising 35,000 feet over the French Riviera, the plane's wing cutting through billows of white. Below us, the sea is sparkling, and I spot a cluster of yachts anchored along the coastline. A ray of light hits my glass of Champagne and turns it to liquid gold. I take another sip. So this is what it feels like to be on cloud nine. I'm flying from London to St. Tropez with the private aviation company Wheels Up, and for the first time in my life, I don't want a flight to end. Once you've gotten a taste of the private jet lifestyle, it becomes easy to understand why wealthy travelers are so taken with it—despite the hefty price tag and contentious carbon footprint. But, as Leona Qi, president of Vista US, a private aviation company that owns VistaJet and XO, tells me, a large group of private jet travelers are not, in fact, ordering Champagne and caviar on their way to the South of France. Instead, they're more likely to be taking board meetings en route to the Midwest for a multi-million dollar IPO deal. For today's business travelers—whether we're talking C-suite execs or Taylor Swift—the appeal of flying private lies in its efficiency, more so than luxury. Without being constrained by commercial flight routes and airports, you can 'visit three cities in a day and come back home to sleep in your own bed, and the next day you can present to the board or to your executive team,' says Qi. With the return of in-person meetings and office mandates, more business travelers and corporate clients are seeking out private aviation solutions. ILLUSTRATION: Alex Green Private aviation's first post-Covid boom mainly included leisure travelers who transitioned away from commercial airlines during the pandemic for reasons of health, explains George Mattson, CEO of Wheels Up. 'You had a bunch of new people in private aviation,' he says. 'And once you try it, you generally don't want to stop.' Despite that, because of the rise of remote work, business travel remained below pre-pandemic levels. That's changing. With the majority of companies implementing hybrid or full-time office mandates, business travel has resumed and, with that, business jets are back in business. So far this year, worldwide private jet activity has been up year-over-year for 20 out of the past 24 weeks, per WINGX data. According to Qi, VistaJet has received three times as many RFPs (request for proposals) from corporations looking for private aviation solutions during the first six months of 2025 compared to the first six months of 2024. 'You can save a lot of time—and time, ultimately, is money.' But business travelers aren't the only customers driving the surge in demand. Private carriers have long been a popular option for reaching leisure destinations that lack commercial connections. According to aircraft charter specialist Chapman Freeborn, harder-to-reach destinations like Scotland's Hebrides, and the French and Italian islands of Corsica and Ischia, are trending this summer, alongside perennial favorites like the Hamptons and Ibiza. The biggest spikes in worldwide private jet activity in recent months have coincided with major sporting events and holidays; over Memorial Day weekend, private jet flights in the US hit an all-time record compared to previous years. This story is part of The New Era of Work Travel , a collaboration between the editors of WIRED and Condé Nast Traveler to help you navigate the perks and pitfalls of the modern business trip. There's still room for growth—according to 2021 data, the majority of US households who can afford to fly private, in fact, do not. One reason for this is that private aviation requires a relatively manual booking process. From calling up brokers and comparing jet card memberships to purchasing fractional ownership models, it's often easier to purchase a $10,000 business class ticket than to go through the motions of reserving a private charter. So-called semi-private carriers combine the reliability of scheduled flight services with the exclusivity of private aircraft and terminals. ILLUSTRATION: Alex Green The industry is now beginning to address those pain points with new products and tech. A handful of start-ups are vying to become 'the Uber of private jet travel,' such as Kinectair, which offers real-time pricing and route search features, without charging membership fees. This summer, Uber itself launched a helicopter booking feature in the Amalfi Coast. The intersection between commercial and private aviation is continuing to grow. In an industry-first, Delta Air Lines is now connecting its international business class passengers with Wheels Up charter flights throughout Europe. Meanwhile, 'semi-private' carriers like JSX, XO, and Aero offer scheduled services aboard private aircraft that travelers can book by the seat—a model that's proven a hit among premium travelers. Tradewind Aviation—which offers both book-by-the-seat scheduled flights and private charters in the US and the Caribbean—says it's seeing roughly a 33% year-over-year increase in scheduled service bookings across its routes; However, private charters are seeing 'less of an increase' this summer compared to last, a Tradewind spokesperson tells Traveler . As demand for scheduled services increases, carriers like these are expanding their route maps. This May, Aero launched a bicoastal Los Angeles to New York flight (featuring in-flight Erewhon meals and Starlink Wi-Fi). The company says the new route was 'built for business travelers, flying from Los Angeles to New York on Monday mornings and returning to Los Angeles on Thursday afternoons.' Mattson, of Wheels Up, believes even more travelers will be making the leap from business class to business jet in the years to come. Above all else, the core draw of private aviation—whether used for a corporate or leisure trip—remains a simple one, he says: 'You can save a lot of time—and time, ultimately, is money.'
Condé Nast Traveler
02-07-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Affluent Travelers Are Ditching Business Class for Business Jets
We're cruising 35,000 feet over the French Riviera, the plane's wing cutting through billows of white. Below us, the sea is sparkling, and I spot a cluster of yachts anchored along the coastline. A ray of light hits my glass of Champagne and turns it to liquid gold. I take another sip. So this is what it feels like to be on cloud nine. I'm flying from London to St. Tropez with the private aviation company Wheels Up, and for the first time in my life, I don't want a flight to end. Once you've gotten a taste of the private jet lifestyle, it becomes easy to understand why wealthy travelers are so taken with it—despite the hefty price tag and contentious carbon footprint. But, as Leona Qi, president of Vista US, a private aviation company that owns VistaJet and XO, tells me, a large group of private jet travelers are not, in fact, ordering Champagne and caviar on their way to the South of France. Instead, they're more likely to be taking board meetings en route to the Midwest for a multi-million dollar IPO deal. For today's business travelers—whether we're talking C-suite execs or Taylor Swift—the appeal of flying private lies in its efficiency, more so than luxury. Without being constrained by commercial flight routes and airports, you can 'visit three cities in a day and come back home to sleep in your own bed, and the next day you can present to the board or to your executive team,' says Qi. With the return of in-person meetings and office mandates, more business travelers and corporate clients are seeking out private aviation solutions. Alex Green Private aviation's first post-COVID boom mainly included leisure travelers who transitioned away from commercial airlines during the pandemic for reasons of health, explains George Mattson, CEO of Wheels Up. 'You had a bunch of new people in private aviation,' he says. 'And once you try it, you generally don't want to stop.' Despite that, because of the rise of remote work, business travel remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Propellers, Rotor Blades Are Music To The Ears Of Private Jet Flyers
Supersonic private travel for the super-rich may be up in the air. However, their need to access hard-to-reach places quickly, particularly destinations with short or no runways, is driving several leading private jet flight providers to launch or expand operations and partnerships that utilize turboprop, piston and rotorcraft aircraft. If you are not a UHNW, typically defined as having a net worth of at least $30 million, don't despair. Private jet charter and fractional operator is adding a Caravan turboprop and amphibious float plane ... More to help its well-heeled customers access smaller airports or places with no airport at all. The most recent initiative comes from JSX, which offers a semi-private option. Still, experts say it is the travel needs of the very wealthy that are driving the trend. 'The challenge when a client wants to buy their third, fourth or even fifth home is: can they land their jet nearby,' says Alasdair Pritchard, a partner in Knight Frank's Private Office, adding, 'This can dictate property decisions, so we help clients explore alternatives, whether that's nearby airports with helicopter access or private airstrips on larger estates.' For those who want the full private experience, FlyExclusive, which previously limited its services to jet aircraft, selling fractional shares, jet cards, and on-demand charters, is launching charter flights using an amphibious float plan and Caravan turboprop. Wheels Up, via a partnership with Tropic Ocean Airways, helps members make that last mile as easy a ... More day at the beach, including sometimes landing at the beach. Knight Frank says UHNWs who are increasingly buying third, fourth, and fifth homes in locations that are hard to access with private jets, are looking to propeller aircraft and helicopters. It is not alone. Wheels Up has been expanding its partnership with seaplane operator Tropic Ocean Airways, in which it has a minority ownership stake. The commercial agreement enables members to fly to more than 70 smaller airports across Florida, the Bahamas, and the Northeast U.S., including the Hamptons, Lake Placid, Fire Island, Sunset Beach, Montauk, and Block Island. 'We're not surprised to see rising interest in turboprops, seaplanes, and helicopters for last-mile travel—it's a trend that aligns squarely with the solutions we've been building over the past several years," says Wheels Up CEO George Mattson. He adds, 'Our customers can easily combine a commercial or long-range private flight with a final leg aboard a wheeled or amphibious Cessna Caravan EX—creating a seamless, end-to-end premium experience.' Flexjet has been expanding its last-mile helicopter service for members of its fractional jet ownership program by acquiring rotorcraft operators in both England and the United States. In 2023, Flexjet received permission to operate helicopter flights between Florida and the Bahamas. It has now expanded the seasonal service to year-round. Flexjet Vertical Lift President Eli Flint said at the time, 'Now that our clientele has grown accustomed to accessing off-airport destinations, they expect it wherever the helicopter can take them – and now that includes from Florida to the Bahamas and the Florida Keys.' Flexjet offers its fractional private jet customers the ability to use hours on its helicopter ... More service in the Northeastern U.S., England, and South Florida. Longtime private and shared turboprop operators have also been expanding their footprint focusing both on price and accessing airports jets can't utilize. Tradewind Aviation, which had operated exclusively in the Northeastern United States and the Caribbean, added a Florida base for charter flights in 2023, as well as scheduled flights last year from Witham Field in Stuart to the Bahamas. Like JSX, it sells individual seats on its scheduled flights and uses private terminals, so customers avoid the hassles of crowded airports with long lines. PlaneSense, which long focused on fractional ownership, has expanded its jet card offering, enabling customers to fly on its fleet of Pilatus PC-12 turboprops by committing to buy just 25 hours. JSX will buy up to 25 ATR turboprops as it seeks to expand its semi-private by-the-seat flights to ... More airports that were previously the domain of the private jet users. It also expanded the primary service area for its fleet to the West Coast in 2021, opening a maintenance facility near Las Vegas to support an increase in flights in the Western U.S. Last year, SkyShare which has a days-based fractional program on preowned PC-12s targeting customers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, added an entry level program cutting the initial investment by 41%. Its targeting business flyers who need to visit multiple remote locations in a single day. The PC-12 is renowned for its short-runway access and can even land on grass airstrips. And that's the point. FlyExclusive is basing a Caravan and amphibious float plane in Miami, with operations set to start later this month. Chairman Jim Segrave said, 'There's a clear gap in the market…with the launch of our new amphibious float plane and land-based Caravan, we're expanding our ability to connect travelers to the most sought-after island destinations in the region.' Its seaplane will be 'capable of landing at any suitable water landing site, enabling direct access to private beaches, remote islands, and waterfront properties with no runway required.' And its not just second homes that are driving the last-mile solutions. Air Charter Service signed a deal in April to staff a new terminal and helipad area at the Silverstone race track, a two-and-a-half hour drive outside of London. During the British Grand Prix it handles over 1,500 flights and more than 6,000 passengers. Air Charter Service CMO James Leach said the heliport is expected to get use during rest of the year for special events and experiences offered at the track. He noted, 'The benefits of private aviation mainly revolve around time-saving, with our helicopter shuttles saving many people on average between two hours and five hours, whilst those traveling from abroad by private jet can often save even more time when compared with scheduled flights, especially if they add a helicopter transfer to the circuit.' William Herp, CEO of Linear Air Taxi, a charter broker specializing in turboprops and piston aircraft, says that advances in technology over the past decade have boosted consumer confidence in the segment. He points to last month's announcement that the Cirrus SR Series G7+, which can seat three passengers, will be the world's first single-engine piston aircraft equipped with an FAA-approved autonomous emergency landing system. The system activates if the single pilot becomes incapacitated. With a touch of a button, the airplane lands itself. The key benefit of the propeller aircraft, he says, is being able to land at runways as short as 3,000 feet. 'With a (charter) jet, you are looking at 5,000 feet or more if there is rain,' he says. Herp says these days most customers are open to the propeller aircraft instead of a jet if it can get them to their destination faster than an alternative airport further away. 'When we first started (20 years ago), we had to explain how piston props were safe. Consumers were unaware piston props were available for charter. We're not having that conversation as much,' he says. Herp says Linear has around 700 piston prop aircraft available for charter on its website. Prices range from around $750 to $2,500 per hour, plus fees, plus you pay for repositioning the airplane to and from its base before and after your trip. Still, it's more more affordable chartering a jet. Wheels Up's Mattson adds, 'As demand continues to grow for more personalized and experiential travel, we see these aircraft and partnerships as essential to delivering the kind of elevated, last-mile solutions today's premium traveler expects.' Of course, not all of us have the money to charter an entire aircraft no matter the size, nor the need to land at a waterfront property. JSX plans to cater to the rest of us. Earlier today it announced it had signed a letter of intent for up to 25 turboprop airplanes from ATR Aircraft and plans to start operations later this year with two leased turboprops. It states that the new type will add up to 1,000 more airports it can fly to in the U.S. beyond its current Embraer regional jets, offering its by-the-seat version of shared private aviation. JSX CEO Alex Wilcox said, 'Many of these airports were, until now, reserved only for those who had the means to fly private.' Its by-the-seat prices often start under $500. A spokesperson says no airports have been selected yet.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wheels Up Announces Executive Leadership Changes to Align Go-To-Market Strategy and Accelerate Growth
ATLANTA, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheels Up Experience Inc. (NYSE: UP), a leading provider of on-demand private aviation, today announced key executive leadership appointments that align the company's go-to-market growth strategy with the evolving needs of its customers. "These leadership changes are a natural next step in our transformation journey," said George Mattson, Chief Executive Officer of Wheels Up. "As we continue to focus our customer-centric strategy around the goal of seamlessly delivering the broadest and most accessible suite of global aviation solutions across our programmatic on fleet and global charter offerings, all aligned with our first-of-its-kind strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines, we expect these organizational changes will help drive our commercial success in the marketplace and long-term growth." Effective immediately: Mark Briffa, currently CEO of Air Partner and EVP, Charter, will become Chief Sales Officer, unifying global sales across our Membership and Charter offerings under one leader. Meaghan Wells, EVP of Enterprise Planning and Strategy, has been appointed Chief Growth Officer, a new role that unifies key growth functions. In this position, she will oversee the newly formed commercial strategy group, integrating revenue management, product strategy, and competitive analysis, to drive more coordinated, data-driven decisions that are expected to enhance our customer offering. She will also continue to lead fleet and corporate strategy, partnerships, and enterprise planning. Kristen Lauria, currently Chief Marketing Officer, will expand her role to include customer experience, driving deeper integration across brand, communications, and customer engagement. As Wheels Up progresses its previously announced fleet modernization plan, investing in and enhancing all aspects of the customer experience will be a key strategic focus area for the company. As part of the leadership realignment, Dave Harvey, Chief Commercial Officer, will step into a senior advisor role to the company through August 2025 to help ensure a smooth and effective transition. "We are grateful to Dave for his significant contributions in shaping and executing our commercial strategy, and we thank him for his leadership during a pivotal phase of our transformation," added Mattson. About Wheels Up Wheels Up is a leading provider of on-demand private aviation in the U.S. with a large, diverse fleet and a global network of safety-vetted charter operators, all committed to safety and service. Customers access charter and membership programs and commercial travel benefits through a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines. Wheels Up also provides freight, safety, security, and managed services to a range of clients, including individuals and government organizations. With the Wheels Up app and website, members can easily search, book, and fly. For more information, visit Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of the control of Wheels Up Experience Inc. ("Wheels Up"). These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected impact and timing of certain personnel transitions on Wheels Up, Wheels Up's growth plans, the degree of market adoption of Wheels Up's member programs, charter offerings and any future services it may offer, and the anticipated impact of Wheels Up's fleet modernization strategy. The words "anticipate," "continue," "could," "expect," "plan," "potential," "should," "would," "pursue" and similar expressions, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward-looking. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements can be found in Wheels Up's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 11, 2025 and Wheels Up's other filings with the SEC from time to time. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, Wheels Up does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release. Contacts Investors:ir@ Media:press@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Wheels Up
Condé Nast Traveler
16-06-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile' Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
For most travelers, flying to Europe's summer hot spots like the South of France, Amalfi Coast, or Greek Islands requires a lengthy, multi-stop journey: The transatlantic flight takes a day of travel in itself, and then you have to factor in layovers, hours spent at the airport, and final-leg drives, puddle jumpers, or ferry rides. That is, unless you have a private jet to whisk you straight there. This summer, Delta Air Lines is making it easier for commercial fliers to get to hard-to-reach destinations like these with the option to connect international Delta flights to 'last leg' jet charters via Wheels Up, a private aviation company (of which Delta is a major shareholder). Delta One passengers flying to European summer travel hubs such as Athens will receive an invitation to book onward travel through Wheels Up. Unsplash Here's how it works. If you purchase a flight in Delta One, the airline's business class cabin, to Athens, Barcelona, Naples, Nice, or Rome this summer, you'll receive an email or mobile app prompt notifying you of the ability to book your onward travel plans—perhaps to St. Tropez, the Amalfi Coast, Mykonos, or Ibiza—through Wheels Up. Click from there and you'll be directed to the Wheels Up website, where you can charter a private aircraft for the final leg of your journey. A real-life itinerary includes a Delta One flight between New York-JFK and London Heathrow, followed by a charter plane from Farnborough Airport to Toulon Hyères Airport in France, ending with a helicopter ride or car transfer to St. Tropez. Between each leg, Wheels Up arranges a private transfer service that can pick you up directly from the tarmac, when permitted. While the details—and pricing—will vary depending on the trip, the whole idea is to get you as close to your final destination in as little amount of time as possible. Thanks to its 2022 acquisition of the UK-based private aviation company Air Partner, Wheels Up's charter business now has access to 7,000 aircraft around the world, including seaplanes, helicopters, and private jets of varying sizes, such as the Bombardier Challenger 300 jet and Embraer Phenom 300 (both can seat up to 9 passengers). The vast network means both the aircraft type and destinations are incredibly customizable. 'Delta has a huge global network, they fly to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of airports,' George Mattson, CEO of Wheels Up and former member of Delta's Board of Directors, tells Condé Nast Traveler. 'But if you connect it now to Wheels Up, it's every airport—it's infinite.' The Wheels Up fleet includes several types of mid-size business jets like the Cessna Citation Excel, pictured above—a popular option for groups and families. Courtesy Wheels Up For travelers concerned about the environmental impact of private jet travel, Wheels Up customers have the option to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through Delta's SAF program, something that is not typically available to private fliers due to the fuel's limited availability. (In 2024, it only accounted for 0.3% of global jet fuel production, and it's not yet widely available at the majority of airports.) The integration between the Delta and Wheels Up also includes loyalty program incentives: Wheels Up Members who spend $100,000 over a one-year period receive Diamond Medallion Status with Delta, and Delta SkyMiles members with Diamond or Platinum Medallion status can select a Wheels Up private flight credit as one of their annual Choice Benefits (Diamond members receive a $2,000 credit, while Platinum members receive a $1,500 credit). And this summer, Wheels Up members who purchase a new fund or add to their existing balance through June 30, 2025 will receive Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion Status along with one of three reward options: up to 5% in Wheels Up Flight Credit, up to 1 million bonus SkyMiles, or enhanced fund benefits, including lower maximum hourly rates. The ultimate goal is to merge two historically siloed sectors of the aviation industry to better serve the flying habits of premium travelers. 'The vast majority of people who fly private also fly commercial,' says Mattson. 'So why should they have to manage these two things separately?'
