Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

For newcomers to chartering aircraft or using fractional ownership programs, the process can seem quite opaque. How are you supposed to know which service providers are well-placed to deliver on their promises and deliver the best value proposition?
Private flight provider Wheels Up has been seeking to introduce greater transparency for its members and customers by sharing more actionable data. These initiatives include a new feature on its app and website that shows travelers real-time dynamic pricing for flights out of specific locations to exploit opportunities to save money with some flexibility over departure times.
The feature was launched in July, showing how different levels of pricing were available at 200 of the most popular city pairs at specific times. Users can select the “Flexible Plans” option to see lower-cost airport pairs that may offer substantial savings per leg.
A members’ portal also tracks savings achieved for trips and each individual’s status in Wheels Up’s joint loyalty program with its main shareholder, Delta Air Lines. In June, the company simplified its membership and ad hoc charter <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-06-17/wheels-refreshes-membership-and-charter-packages">product offerings</a>.
Wheels Up Membership clients pay an annual fee and make deposits for pre-funded flight hours. These members can earn Delta’s Diamond Medallion status based on how much they spend, and can also use the balance of their funds to pay for commercial flights with the airline, with a 20% fare discount for some routes.
Wheels Up Charter clients don’t pay anything upfront and simply pay as they fly. However, they can earn a 2% flight credit for every $50,000 spent on trips and can also achieve Diamond Medallion status once they reach a qualifying spend amount.
As part of the ongoing effort to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-08-08/wheels-cuts-losses-and-smoothes-operations-2q">return the company to profitability</a>, Wheels Up is paying closer attention to operational performance. It believes it is the only private aviation company, apart from its smaller rival <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-04-18/frax-operator-volato-releases-first-quarter-metrics">Volato</a>, to publish its operational metrics each quarter in a bid to be transparent with members and charter customers, but also to focus the minds of its team.
In the second quarter, its completion rate—the percentage of scheduled flights operated and completed, excluding customer-initiated cancellations—was 99%. On-time performance was 87%, as defined by flights that departed within 60 minutes, inclusive of delays resulting from air traffic control, weather and maintenance issues, and customer-related factors.
Early last month, Wheels Up expanded the benefits offered for its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-09-05/wheels-boosts-benefits-members-us-and-europe">Global Custom Enterprise Solutions</a> private flight membership. The changes to the frequent flyers program are available in the U.S. and to clients in other parts of the world, including Europe, where its <a href="https://bjtonline.com/business-jet-news/inside-an-incredible-private-flight-to-the-european-soccer-championship">Air Partner charter brokering group</a> arranges flights through a select group of operators.
The enhanced benefits will be available to new members committing to $500,000 or more in pre-funded flight hours. These include guaranteed availability of a “mission-capable” aircraft with a 48-hour booking and flight cancellation window in the U.S. and 72 hours in Europe. If a trip is disrupted by more than four hours beyond the planned departure time, customers receive a refund and also get a credit toward a subsequent flight.
Members will also now have access to fixed flight-hour rates for a defined range of aircraft that Wheels Up said will make it easier for them to manage travel budgets and make their spending more predictable. They will be assigned a dedicated “global aviation expert” to provide personal support in managing travel arrangements.

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