Delta is now backing one of Miami’s most popular private jet carriers
Delta announced Thursday it had taken a stake in Wheels Up, one of the largest private jet servicers in South Florida.
The deal will give Wheels Up a fleet of 190 planes and more than 8,000 customers and members, the company said. The transaction, which will make Delta the company’s largest shareholder though not the majority owner, is expected to close in early 2020.
“It’s a perfect match,” said Wheels Up CEO Kenny Dichter. By providing access to Delta services, “it makes being one of our members much more valuable.”
The move means Delta is exiting its own branded charter service, as it concedes the market to one of three “horses” in the race to capture private flier market share from current leader NetJets, said Doug Gollan, founder and editor of Private Jet Card Comparisons.
In addition to NetJets, Wheels Up’s other competitors are Directional Aviation and Vista Global.
Wheels Up maintains a retail office in Coral Gables. At this year’s Miami Art Week, it chartered 35 flights in the region for approximately 150 members.
This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 3:56 PM.
