Wheels Up Announces First Quarter Results

In This Article:

Financial performance illustrates continued momentum of business transformation

Installation of Gogo high-speed satellite Wi-Fi to begin this summer

Agreement with Delta to extend $100 million revolving credit facility

Board of Directors authorizes stock repurchase program

ATLANTA, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheels Up Experience Inc. (NYSE: UP) today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2025. Highlights of the quarter, including GAAP results, non-GAAP financial measures and key performance metrics, are on pages two and 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 first quarter ended March 31, 2025 is included in an Investor Letter that can be found on Wheels Up's Investor Relations website at https://investors.wheelsup.com.

First Quarter 2025 Results

  • Revenue of $177.5 million, down 10% year over year

  • Total Gross Bookings of $241.9 million, up 8% year over year

  • Gross loss of $1.1 million, a $15.5 million improvement year over year

  • Adjusted Contribution of $22.4 million equating to an Adjusted Contribution Margin of 12.6%, up 12 percentage points year over year

  • Net loss of $99.3 million or $(0.14) per share

  • Adjusted EBITDA loss of $24.2 million, a 51% improvement year over year

  • Adjusted EBITDAR loss of $18.8 million, a 54% improvement year over year

"Our results this quarter show the progress we are making in our business transformation and we are pleased to see continued commercial momentum in light of more uncertain economic conditions.  We remain focused on improving profitability and expanding margins by modernizing our fleet, leveraging our first-of-its-kind partnership with Delta, and delivering premium solutions for every customer journey," said Wheels Up Chief Executive Officer George Mattson. "With solid liquidity, an improving path toward sustainable profitability, and other achievements that reflect the strength of our business, our Board of Directors has authorized a $10 million open market share repurchase program to illustrate our commitment to driving value for our shareholders."

Business highlights

  • More profitable flying. The company's top priority has been to continue realigning its product, fleet and flying to better meet customer demand. As a result of the associated increased Utility and operational efficiency, Gross loss improved $15 million year over year in the March quarter despite a $20 million decline in revenue. Adjusted Contribution Margin increased by nearly 12 percentage points year over year to 12.6 percent, due primarily to the 23 percent increase in Utility during the March quarter.

  • Leading operational reliability. A key component of Wheels Up's strategic growth plan is to deliver the industry's most reliable operation for our customers. During the March quarter, the company delivered a 97 percent Completion Rate and 85 percent On-Time Performance. As the fleet rapidly transitions to a modernized and more operationally reliable fleet, we expect to be able to drive higher On-Time Performance, Completion Rate and Utility.

  • Continuing to drive value in our strategic partnership with Delta. New corporate accounts are the fastest growing segment in the business, illustrating the traction the company is seeing in its joint selling efforts with Delta. For the March quarter, corporate membership fund sales increased 13 percent year over year and represented nearly 40 percent of total membership fund sales. In addition, this summer, Wheels Up and Delta will partner to offer customers new options for hybrid travel combining Delta One commercial and Wheels Up private flights for European destinations. Customers flying to Athens, Barcelona, Naples, Nice and Rome will be offered seamless transitions to private jet flights and helicopter transfers arranged by Wheels Up for arrival at their final destination in unparalleled comfort and style.

  • Extension of revolving credit facility. The company ended the quarter with approximately $272 million of total liquidity, comprised of approximately $171.8 million of cash and cash equivalents and a $100 million undrawn revolving credit facility. The company recently reached an agreement with Delta to extend the $100 million revolving credit facility to remain available through September 20, 2026.

  • Definitive agreement with Gogo to provide high-speed satellite Wi-Fi. As part of its fleet modernization strategy, last October the company announced that its new fleet would be outfitted with state-of-the-art satellite WiFi. The company recently executed a definitive agreement with Gogo to install their Galileo HDX satellite Wi-Fi systems in Wheels Up aircraft. Installation is expected to begin this summer and ramp up quickly through the remainder of the year.

  • Share repurchase program. On April 30, 2025, the company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $10 million of shares of the company's common stock from time to time through open market repurchases or other privately negotiated transactions.