Wheels Up Launches 'Affordable' Membership Tier

Wheels Up has launched a membership tier called Wheels Up Connect, and the New York–based private aviation membership company said it is its most affordable offering yet. The program has a one-time initiation fee of $2,995 and annual dues of $2,495 that commence in the second year of membership. A traditional individual Wheels Up membership has an initiation fee of $17,500 and annual dues of $8,500. 

The lower price is expected to drive additional growth in the company's more than 5,000-member program, cofounder and CEO Kenny Dichter told BJT. “There are 10 million people and businesses who fly business and first class," he said. "We built out our Wheels Up Connect membership at a price point that all 10 million can afford.”

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The Connect membership does have its limitations, such as no guaranteed days for aircraft access and only four days of access annually to empty-leg flights. But it does provide access to shared flights and membership-only parties at events such as the Super Bowl and The Masters.

The company also announced the Wheels Up Charter Marketplace, a feature on its mobile app that allows its members to view real-time pricing for vetted and verified charter aircraft flights that can be booked instantly.