![]()
Wheels Up announced its new corporate program, Up for Business, on Tuesday. The new program is meant to better serve small and mid-size enterprise members featuring great pricing, discounts and benefits for the businesses and executives.
Up for Business will supplement the Wheels Up portfolio of products designed for corporate travel. Its network on the East and West coasts and its various corporate flight solutions are believed to complement the flying habits of many business aviation travelers. The new program, Up for Business, will be available beginning Wednesday.
"Wheels Up corporate members now have the ability to choose a solution that fits their flight profile and business needs," EVP of Global Sales Robert Bourrier said. "Historically, smaller to medium-size businesses were forced to adapt to either a product that was designed for individuals or a solution that was built for large corporations. We see an opportunity to deliver a tailored product to members rather than a one-size-fits all offering, while capturing the operational and financial benefits of a balanced fleet utilization throughout the week."
"By adding a sensible layer for businesses that falls within the small and medium-sized tier, we can offer superior pricing, better service and benefits," Bourrier said. "We expect this new product to improve the efficiency and profitability of our operations with a more balanced utilization of our fleet throughout the week - all while keeping the member firmly at the center of everything we do."
Through the support of its corporate sales team, Wheels Up will offer two programs for corporate travelers. Up for Business will cover small and medium-sized companies with a $250,000 or $200,000 deposit. The existing membership for larger businesses and high-volume fliers will focus on Custom Enterprise Solutions with either a $500,000 or $1 million+ deposit.
The new corporate program will include a slightly reduced deposit, initiation fee, annual dues and contract term of 18 months, new round-trip discount and unlimited lead passenger designees. Members of the Up for Business program will have the added benefit of having access to a second aircraft on the same day once per quarter. Wheels Up offers benefits to all customers through its long-time partner and investor, Delta Air Lines. Up for Business members at the $250,000 deposit point will be given one Diamond Medallion designee and members at the $300,000 deposit point will be given two of the coveted SkyMiles status. All members will also have the option to use funds on deposit for both private travel with Wheels Up and commercial trips on Delta flights.RELATED STORIES:Wheels Up names new CEOWheels Up stock takes wild ride after $500m lifeline from DeltaWheels Up postpones quarterly earnings report - announces capital infusion, aircraft management acquisition
Wheels Up has undergone numerous changes in the last year. On Sept. 14 the company announced it had appointed George N. Mattson, a longstanding member of Delta's Board of Directors, as CEO. This came one month after Wheels Up took a $500 million lifeline from Delta with Certares Management and Knighthead Capital Management. The airline and its financial partners took on 95 percent ownership of the company. The partnership will utilize Delta's experience as a premium airline, the travel and tourism focus of Certares and the turnaround and restructuring expertise of Knighthead to transform Wheels Up and elevate its customer experience. This big change came one week after Wheels Up had taken a short-term capital infusion from Delta and announced its competitor, Airshare, had entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire its non-core aircraft management business.
"Wheels Up is an integral part of Delta's portfolio of premium, corporate flight solutions providing unique benefits to our respective and joint customers," SVP of Global Sales at Delta Bob Somers said. "The Up for Business customer is an important segment within the total addressable market for business travel. We look forward to working closely with the Wheels Up team to provide unparalleled service as leaders in commercial and private aviation."