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Wheels Up Experience Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 August 2026: press release, letter to shareholders. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell 4% on divested businesses: Revenue was $182.0 million, down 4% from a year earlier, mainly from the 2025 disposal of non-core services businesses. Private jet flight revenue was flat. Source
  • Net loss widened to $107 million: Net loss was $107.2 million, or $(2.97) per share, against $82.3 million a year earlier. Source
  • Signature membership passed 1,200: Signature Membership reached more than 1,200 members, up 100% year to date, and is over 50% of the active member base. Management said these members fly more hours at higher rates. Source
  • Completion and on-time rates at highs: Completion Rate was 99.4% against 97.5%, and On-Time Performance (A-30) was 86.8% against 80.3%. Management said both reached their highest levels since reporting began in 2023. Source
  • Adjusted Contribution Margin at 12.4%: Adjusted Contribution fell 2% to $22.5 million, and margin was 12.4% against 12.2%. About 6 points of margin pressure came from the 2025 sale of non-core businesses and transformation inefficiencies. Source
  • Total Gross Bookings down 8%: Total Gross Bookings were $241.8 million, down 8%, mainly from lower U.S. private jet charter volume tied to sales force transformation inefficiencies. Source

“Wheels Up made meaningful progress this quarter, completing our fleet modernization, reaching record levels of operational reliability, strengthening our Delta partnership, and building momentum with our Signature Membership,”

George Mattson, Wheels Up Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Premium fleet size Sourceyear-end 2026over 50 aircraft
Adjusted Contribution Margin Sourcelong-term30%+
Utility per aircraft Sourcelong-term annual run-rate70 hours
Annual cash cost savings Sourceannual, expected to be realized by end of 2026approximately $70 million or moreKept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Delta extended the availability period of its $100 million revolving credit facility commitment by two years, to September 20, 2028. Source
  • New: Two previously announced financings closed in the quarter: a term loan from the lead investor group and an aircraft financing facility arranged by an AIP Capital subsidiary. Source
  • New: Company announced plans to implement Surf Air Mobility's Enterprise BrokerOS platform, which uses Palantir AI technology. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue fell 4% on divested businesses: Revenue was $182.0 million, down 4% from a year earlier, mainly from the 2025 disposal of non-core services businesses. Private jet flight revenue was flat. Source
  • Net loss widened to $107 million: Net loss was $107.2 million, or $(2.97) per share, against $82.3 million a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDAR loss narrowed 27%: Adjusted EBITDAR loss was $19.9 million, a 27% improvement, which management linked to the streamlined Phenom and Challenger fleet. Source

Products and customers

  • Signature membership passed 1,200: Signature Membership reached more than 1,200 members, up 100% year to date, and is over 50% of the active member base. Management said these members fly more hours at higher rates. Source
  • Corporate channel grew over 8%: Corporate channel revenue across membership and charter grew more than 8% year over year, which management linked to the Delta partnership. Source
  • Premium aircraft demand more than doubled: Demand for premium aircraft more than doubled year over year, with the controlled Phenom and Challenger fleet expanding from 22 to 40 aircraft. Source

“With the legacy fleet transition behind us and technology investments like BrokerOS expected to drive growth in our charter business,”

George Mattson, Wheels Up Chief Executive Officer

Operations and reliability

  • Completion and on-time rates at highs: Completion Rate was 99.4% against 97.5%, and On-Time Performance (A-30) was 86.8% against 80.3%. Management said both reached their highest levels since reporting began in 2023. Source
  • Three-hour delays down by half: Delays of three or more hours affected about 1% of trips, down 50% from a year ago. The 3+ Hour Delay Rate was 1.2% against 2.8%. Source
  • Brand Days reached 119 by July: Through the end of July the company recorded 119 Brand Days, days with a perfect Completion Rate and no cancellations, which management said surpassed its full-year goal. Source

Margins and pricing

  • Adjusted Contribution Margin at 12.4%: Adjusted Contribution fell 2% to $22.5 million, and margin was 12.4% against 12.2%. About 6 points of margin pressure came from the 2025 sale of non-core businesses and transformation inefficiencies. Source
  • Pricing rose with fleet and reliability: Management said fleet modernization, operational reliability and a more consistent premium offering allowed higher pricing while delivering better value to members. Source
  • Six-month margin fell to 10.6%: For the six months, Adjusted Contribution fell 18% to $37.3 million, and margin was 10.6% against 12.4%. Source

Demand and bookings

  • Total Gross Bookings down 8%: Total Gross Bookings were $241.8 million, down 8%, mainly from lower U.S. private jet charter volume tied to sales force transformation inefficiencies. Source
  • Six-month bookings up 1%: Six-month Total Gross Bookings rose 1% to $509.0 million, while Private Jet Gross Bookings fell 7% to $383.8 million. Source
  • Private Jet bookings down 8% in Q2: Private Jet Gross Bookings were $190.7 million in the quarter, down 8% from $208.3 million. Source

Cash, capital and balance sheet

  • Cash balance fell to $86.3 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $86.3 million at June 30, compared with $133.9 million at December 31. Source
  • Capital spending rose to $115.2 million: Purchases of property and equipment were $115.2 million in the six months, against $30.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Stockholders' deficit widened to $560.3 million: Total equity was a deficit of $560.3 million at June 30, against $392.1 million at December 31. Source
  • Long-term debt rose to $581.2 million: Long-term debt, net was $581.2 million at June 30, against $316.4 million at December 31. Source

Strategy and fleet investment

  • Premium fleet investment passed $300 million: The company said it has invested over $300 million in its premium fleet and modifications since announcing fleet modernization in late 2024. Source
  • Satellite Wi-Fi across the active fleet: The entire active controlled fleet now has satellite Wi-Fi, which management described as first at scale with 100% streaming capable service. Source
  • Aircraft repainted to one livery: Recently acquired aircraft are being repainted and refurbished to a standard Wheels Up livery and cabin interior. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 August 2026

  • BrokerOS first phase by year-end: The first phase of the BrokerOS implementation, focused on the charter business, is expected to be completed by year-end. Source
  • Remaining cost actions by end-2026: Discrete efficiency and cost control actions continue across the business, with realization expected by the end of 2026. Source
  • Utility to improve as jets return: Aircraft temporarily removed from service are expected to return to revenue service, which management expects to further improve Utility. Source
  • Second-half focus on execution: For the second half, management said it will focus on its unified sales team, Signature shift, premium fleet scaling and the Delta partnership. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Volumes: Live Flight Legs Source8,649, down 28% from 11,971
Yield: Private Jet Gross Bookings per Live Flight Leg Source$22,048, up 27% from $17,403
Fleet: Utility (monthly average hours) Source49.5, up 20% from 41.1
Fleet: premium share of active controlled jet fleet Source100% Phenom and Challenger

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Utility on the premium fleets was pressured by temporary rolling removal of aircraft from service for paint, interior and Wi-Fi work. Source
  • Financial: Net cash used in operating activities was $191.3 million for the six months, against $110.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Operational: Management described the quarter's results as showing transitory costs from moving through a major business transformation. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: The legacy fleet retirement was completed ahead of the original schedule, per management. Source
  • Not stated: Earlier plan to double the premium fleet between end-2025 and 2026; this update gives no status for that plan.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.