Wheels Up Debuts Signature Membership, Anchored by Fleet Access and Delta Tie-In
The new program guarantees year-round access to Phenom 300 and Challenger 300 jets, with flexible pricing and deeper Delta integration
Photo: Courtesy of Wheels Up
Wheels Up is recasting its membership model with the launch of the Signature Membership, a new program that locks in nationwide access to its core fleet while expanding how clients can combine private and commercial flying.
The move arrives less than a year after CEO George Mattson announced a modernization plan aimed at streamlining Wheels Up’s operations and repositioning the brand following a turbulent stretch of restructuring. At the center of the refresh is a focus on two workhorse aircraft—the Phenom 300 and Challenger 300 series—where the company believes it can guarantee both reliability and availability. Signature Members have access to these jets 365 days a year, with guaranteed recovery in case of disruptions, at a starting deposit of $200,000.
What differentiates the new model is not just the aircraft guarantee, but also the flexibility in how trips are priced. Members can choose between a Dynamic Plan, with market-driven pricing that fluctuates by seasonality and demand, or a Fixed Plan offering predictable hourly rates. That dual structure is a nod to different segments of private flyers: those who chase best-available value on shorter hops and those who prioritize cost certainty for recurring routes.
The Signature Membership also includes a stronger integration with Delta Air Lines, which took a 95% stake in Wheels Up in 2023. Members earn Diamond Medallion status, can apply deposits toward Delta tickets, and receive discounts on certain fares. In practice, that partnership means clients can more easily stitch together hybrid itineraries—using a Challenger 300 to position into a gateway city, then Delta for the transatlantic leg, with bookings routed through a single account.
The relatively low deposit threshold and program perks like same-day round-trip discounts and waived interchange fees put Signature Membership in competition with both fractional ownership schemes and rival jet card programs. By consolidating around a narrower fleet and relying on its charter arm for global lift, Wheels Up is signaling that consistency and optionality matter more than maintaining a sprawling in-house fleet.The rollout also reaffirms where private aviation is trending: away from rigid ownership structures and toward modular, mix-and-match solutions. In an environment where high-net-worth travelers are increasingly blending commercial and private legs, Wheels Up’s bet is that being the connector, not just the aircraft provider, will prove the stickiest value proposition.
