Wheels Up Announces December Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

In This Article:

Financial performance illustrates momentum with business transformation

Fleet modernization underway, with 18 new Phenom jets entering Wheels Up's controlled fleet and the company's first Challengers set to enter service by April 1

John Verkamp appointed Chief Financial Officer, to join company on March 31

ATLANTA, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheels Up Experience Inc. (NYSE: UP) today announced financial results for the December quarter and full year ended 2024. Highlights of the December quarter and full year 2024, including GAAP results, non-GAAP financial measures and key performance metrics, are on page three and incorporated herein.

Wheels Up (PRNewsfoto/Wheels Up)
Wheels Up (PRNewsfoto/Wheels Up)

Commentary from Wheels Up's Chief Executive Officer, George Mattson, about the company's financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024 is included in an Investor Letter that can be found on Wheels Up's Investor Relations website at https://investors.wheelsup.com.

December Quarter 2024 Results

  • Revenue of $204.8 million

  • Adjusted Contribution of $39.6 million equating to an Adjusted Contribution Margin of 19.3 percent

  • Net loss of $87.5 million or $(0.13) per share

  • Adjusted EBITDA loss of $11.3 million

Full Year 2024 Results

  • Revenue of $792.1 million

  • Adjusted Contribution of $85.7 million equating to an Adjusted Contribution Margin of 10.8 percent

  • Net loss of $339.6 million or $(0.49) per share

  • Adjusted EBITDA loss of $117.9 million

"After several quarters of consistent improvement, we ended 2024 in a much stronger financial position than we began. The fourth quarter was our lowest Adjusted EBITDA loss since going public, with the month of December achieving nearly breakeven performance. This was also our first quarter of sequential revenue growth in nearly two years, thanks in part to record margins and further enhancements to operational efficiency," said Wheels Up Chief Executive Officer, George Mattson. "The combination of long-term, foundational improvements to our operation and commercial engine and the early positive signs from our fleet modernization has provided solid momentum as we enter 2025 and work toward our long-term objective of building a resilient business model with a strong balance sheet and consistent profitability."

Business highlights

  • John Verkamp named new Chief Financial Officer. The company announced the appointment of John Verkamp as Chief Financial Officer, effective March 31. With a two-decade track record of financial leadership at GE and GE Vernova, including his most recent role as CFO of Gas Power Global Services, John brings a deep understanding of complex operations and will oversee the company's global finance organization.

  • Higher Utility and operational efficiency driving more profitable flying. The company's top priority has been realigning its product, fleet and flying to better meet customer demand. As a result, Gross profit increased $34 million year over year in the December quarter despite a $42 million decline in revenue. Adjusted Contribution Margin increased by more than 18 percentage points year over year to 19.3 percent, due primarily to a 33 percent increase in Utility during the December quarter.

  • Transforming the Wheels Up fleet. During the quarter, the company announced its fleet modernization strategy, which we expect will result in the transition of Wheels Up's four existing jet aircraft types to two of the most preferred and successful aircraft types in the industry – Embraer's Phenom 300/300E and Bombardier's Challenger 300/350 aircraft. As part of this strategy, the company added 18 Phenom aircraft and retired 50 owned and leased legacy jets and King Air aircraft during 2024. Results for the December quarter include a non-cash $9 million charge associated with reserving for excess parts inventory from aircraft expected to exit the fleet.

  • Improving operational performance. A key component of Wheels Up's strategic growth plan is to deliver the industry's most reliable operation for our customers. During the December quarter, the company delivered a 98 percent Completion Rate and 80 percent On-Time Performance. We experienced weather, air traffic control and other uncontrollable factors during the December quarter, as well as the additional demands our operations placed on our smaller legacy fleet, that when combined challenged On-Time Performance. As the fleet rapidly transitions to a modernized and more reliable fleet, we expect to be able to drive both higher On-Time Performance and Utility.

  • Industry-leading partnership with Delta. Together with Delta, we are developing first-of-their-kind global aviation solutions for Delta's corporate and premium leisure customers, combining commercial and private air travel to create a seamless and flexible aviation experience. We have continued to build on the momentum of our partnership, commercially and operationally, and are still in the early stages of realizing its full potential.

  • New Revolving Credit Facility. The company closed on a five-year, $332 million secured revolving credit facility with Bank of America. Delta provided credit support for the facility, enhancing Wheels Up's access to capital and on more attractive terms than would otherwise have been available. This new revolving facility financed the purchase of 17 Phenom aircraft from GrandView Aviation, added $84.3 million of cash, before certain transaction-related expenses, to the company's balance sheet, and provides additional borrowing support for future fleet acquisitions. In addition, the new revolving facility refinanced Wheels Up's existing owned fleet at improved terms and the December quarter results include a non-cash $14 million loss on the extinguishment of debt.