Wheels Up Announces Second Quarter Results

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Wednesday, August 5th, 2026

Wheels Up Experience Inc. (NYSE:UP) today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2026. Highlights of the quarter, including GAAP results, non-GAAP financial measures and key operating metrics, are on pages three to five and incorporated herein.

Commentary from Wheels Up's Chief Executive Officer George Mattson about the Company's financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026 is included in an Investor Letter that can be found on Wheels Up's Investor Relations website at https://investors.wheelsup.com.

Second Quarter 2026 Results

  • GAAP Revenue of $182.0 million, a reduction of 4% year over year, driven primarily by the disposition of non-core services businesses in 2025. Private jet Flight revenue was flat for the quarter, as demand more than doubled for premium aircraft with the controlled fleet of Phenoms and Challengers expanding from 22 to 40 year over year, offsetting legacy fleet retirements.
  • Total Gross Bookings (the total gross spend on private jet flight services, including private jet charter, group charter and cargo services) of $241.8 million, down 8% year over year, primarily reflecting lower U.S. private jet charter volume driven by transitory process and technology inefficiencies from our sales force transformation.
  • Gross profit of $9.6 million improved by $7 million versus the prior year period, with results impacted by approximately $5 million of business transformation-related expenses.  Net loss of $107 million, or $(2.97) per share, increased by $25 million versus the prior year period, primarily due to a combined $13 million increase in interest expense and aircraft lease costs, along with a $13 million non-cash impairment charge associated with the legacy fleet retirement.
  • Adjusted Contribution of $22.5 million, a 2% decline from the prior year period, and Adjusted Contribution Margin of 12.4%, versus 12.2% in the prior year period. The Company estimates approximately 6 points of year-over-year margin pressure came from the prior year sale of non-core services businesses (~4 points) and transitory inefficiencies from the ongoing business transformation (~2 points).
  • Adjusted EBITDAR loss of $19.9 million, a 27% improvement compared to the prior year period, driven by the streamlined fleet of Phenoms and Challengers that produced a 20% increase in Utility in the second quarter of 2026.

"Wheels Up made meaningful progress this quarter, completing our fleet modernization, reaching record levels of operational reliability, strengthening our Delta partnership, and building momentum with our Signature Membership," said George Mattson, Wheels Up Chief Executive Officer. "The entire Wheels Up team is focused on delivering a great experience for our customers while also making the business more efficient, scalable and profitable.  With the legacy fleet transition behind us and technology investments like BrokerOS expected to drive growth in our charter business, we enter the second half of the year with increasing confidence in our ability to execute against our plan and create long-term value for shareholders."

Business Highlights

  • Realizing benefits of fleet transformation. Premium Phenom and Challenger jets now comprise 100% of Wheels Up's active controlled jet fleet. With legacy fleets fully retired as of April, customers now benefit from a consistent premium onboard experience as the Company drives fleet simplification and scale to maximize  operating efficiency and fleet profitability.
  • Continued commercial momentum.  Our Wheels Up Signature Membership program has grown to more than 1,200 members(1) since launch and now represents over 50% of our active member base. Signature members fly more hours at higher rates on average, strengthening our revenue mix and improving visibility into future demand. The Delta partnership also continues to deliver tangible results, most visibly in the corporate channel, which grew more than 8% year over year across our membership and charter offerings combined.
  • Maintaining best-in-class operational excellence. Wheels Up achieved a Completion Rate of 99.4% (up nearly 2 points year over year) and On-Time Performance (A-30), or arrival within 30 minutes of the scheduled time, of 86.8% (up more than 6 points year over year). Through the end of July 2026, the Company had recorded 119 Brand Days, or days with a perfect Completion Rate and no cancellations, surpassing its full year goal.
  • Leveraging technology in our charter business. Wheels Up announced plans to implement Surf Air Mobility's Enterprise BrokerOS platform, powered by industry-leading AI technology partner, Palantir. BrokerOS will replace multiple legacy systems and enable enhanced charter solutions for customers and faster, more informed decision-making across the charter booking process.
  • Investing in our fleet, including branded liveries and interiors with high-speed, satellite WiFi. Wheels Up's entire active controlled fleet is now equipped with satellite WiFi, allowing customers to access high-speed, streaming quality internet service on all of its premium Phenom and Challenger aircraft.
  • Continued lead investor support and completed financings. During the second quarter, the Company closed on two previously announced financial transactions – a new $100 million term loan provided by its lead investor group and a new $68 million aircraft financing facility arranged by a subsidiary of AIP Capital – supporting its multi-year growth plans. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Delta and the Company extended the availability period for Delta's $100 million revolving credit facility commitment by an additional two years, to September 20, 2028.
  • Actions to improve productivity and efficiency. As previously announced, Wheels Up continues to implement initiatives expected to deliver approximately $70 million or more in annual cash cost savings through operational efficiencies, productivity improvements and overhead reductions. The Company substantially completed these initiatives during the second quarter of 2026 and continues to implement discrete efficiency and cost control opportunities across its business and operations, which are expected to be realized by the end of 2026.