Wheels Up is a leading membership-based private aviation platform that democratizes access to private air travel through predictable pricing, on-demand booking, and a nationwide fleet. Its model combines owned aircraft, managed fleets, and third-party operators to deliver scalable private aviation experiences for individuals and enterprises. The company integrates membership perks, personalized services, safety compliance, and digital flight management through mobile and web platforms. Over the years, Wheels Up has expanded strategically through acquisitions and partnerships, establishing itself as one of the most recognizable consumer aviation brands in the United States.
What Is Wheels Up and What Does It Do?
Wheels Up, founded in 2013 by Kenny Dichter, Bill Allard, and Justin Firestone, is a New York City–based (United States) membership platform for private jet travel.
Wheels Up employs 71+ people, offering an airline-grade experience through subscription tiers, guaranteed aircraft availability, and transparent “pay-as-you-fly” pricing. The platform provides access to shared flights, on-demand charters, and corporate solutions. Over time, Wheels Up built a unified aviation network supported by mobile booking, dynamic route optimization, fleet diversification, and concierge services serving both business and leisure travelers.
How Much Funding Has Wheels Up Raised?
1. Series D
- Amount Raised: $128M
- Date: May 17, 2019
- Lead Investors: Fidelity Investments, Franklin Templeton Investments, T. Rowe Price
- Motivation: Expand private fleet, enhance membership offerings, and fuel national growth.
2. Series D
- Amount Raised: $118M
- Date: Jun 22, 2017
- Lead Investors: Fidelity Investments, T. Rowe Price, New Enterprise Associates
- Motivation: Build technology infrastructure, strengthen corporate travel solutions, and scale customer acquisition.
Total Funding Raised: $402M
Current Valuation: $1.1B (as of May 2019)
Latest Funding Date: August 2023
Key Investors
1. Fidelity Investments
- Details: Global financial services firm active in capital markets and high-growth tech sectors.
- Investment Focus Areas: Fintech, consumer tech, mobility, financial platforms.
- Notable Investments: Uber, SpaceX, Stripe, Lyft, Airbnb.
2. T. Rowe Price
- Details: Asset management company investing in scalable growth-stage companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: Consumer tech, cloud software, mobility, fintech.
- Notable Investments: Tesla, Zoom, Snowflake, Rivian, Coinbase.
3. Franklin Templeton Investments
- Details: Global investment firm backing technology, financial services, and enterprise companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: SaaS, fintech, emerging markets, cloud platforms.
- Notable Investments: OneTrust, Netskope, ARMO Biosciences, GoTo, Bill.com.
4. Delta Air Lines
- Details: Major U.S. airline and strategic partner supporting Wheels Up’s aviation infrastructure.
- Investment Focus Areas: Air mobility, travel tech, fleet expansion.
- Notable Investments: Joby Aviation, Wheels Up, Clear, Aero Design Labs.
5. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)
- Details: One of the world’s largest VC firms investing across tech and healthcare.
- Investment Focus Areas: SaaS, mobility, digital health, enterprise software.
- Notable Investments: Robinhood, Workday, Coursera, Cloudflare, Databricks.
Where Is Wheels Up’s Headquarters?
Wheels Up is headquartered in New York City, offering strategic access to major financial and travel markets across the East Coast.
What’s Next for Wheels Up?
Wheels Up is expected to deepen its operational integration with Delta, streamline cost structures, expand corporate membership programs, and strengthen technology for real-time fleet optimization. The company also plans to enhance reliability and user experience while pivoting toward sustainable profitability.
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