Industry trade publication Aviation International News debuted its inaugural Top Flight Awards, a selection by its editors. For the category of Charter, Fractional, and Jet Card Innovation, the winner is Wheels Up.
In selecting the winner, AIN said, “Wheels Up CEO Kenny Dichter is fond of tracksuits, and now we know why: he never stops running. In a frenetic pace over the last year, the closed-fleet charter access membership company made several large strategic acquisitions, revamped its in-house technology, and opened up new membership channels to further ‘democratize’ private aviation access.”
Over the past 18 months, acquisitions include TMC Jets, Delta Private Jets, Gama Aviation Signature, and Avianis. Its fleet now counts over 300 owned, leased, and managed private jets. The diverse fleet ranges from long-range Gulfstreams to the King Air 350i.
AIN also pointed to the launch of its entry-level Connect membership targeting entry-level private flyers. It also cited philanthropic efforts with Meals Up via Feeding America.
