Wheels Up Launches New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program, Setting a New Industry Standard

Rhea-AI Summary

Wheels Up (NYSE: UP) has launched a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) program, partnering with Delta Air Lines to enable charter customers to contribute towards decarbonizing aviation. The program allows customers to support SAF usage regardless of their flight operator or departure airport. SAF, a renewable alternative to conventional jet fuel, can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% when compared to traditional jet fuel.

Through this initiative, customers can determine their desired SAF support level, with Wheels Up coordinating contributions through the Delta SAF Program. The company has also partnered with Chooose, a software platform specializing in lower-carbon aviation solutions, to support this initiative. Currently, SAF accounts for only 0.3% of global jet fuel production as of 2024.

Positive

• Partnership with Delta Air Lines provides access to established SAF supply chain
• Program enables customers to contribute to carbon reduction regardless of location
• Initiative positions Wheels Up as an industry leader in sustainable aviation
• Potential to help increase SAF demand and scale production

Negative

• Limited SAF availability (only 0.3% of global jet fuel production)
• Physical SAF cannot be guaranteed at specific airports or flights
• Program relies on indirect contribution rather than direct SAF usage

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Innovative system allows charter customers to contribute towards advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel

ATLANTA, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheels Up Experience Inc. (NYSE: UP), a global leader in private aviation, today announced the launch of its new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) program. Now, Wheels Up charter customers who opt into this initiative are able to seamlessly book a private jet or group charter flight and contribute towards decarbonizing aviation by supporting SAF.

Wheels Up will partner with Delta Air Lines to purchase SAF, ultimately allowing private fliers to participate regardless of their flight operator or departure airport.

What is SAF?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a renewable alternative to conventional jet fuel, derived from more sustainable feedstocks. SAF is developed through advanced processes that significantly reduce its carbon footprint over the fuel's lifecycle, as compared to traditional fossil-based jet fuel.

SAF is significant in its drop-in capability, meaning it can be blended with traditional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft engines without modification. By using SAF in this immediate and practical way, airlines can achieve up to an 80% reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions.

How does this SAF Program work
While SAF is expected to play a critical role in decarbonizing aviation, it remains scarce today – in 2024, it only accounted for 0.3% of global jet fuel production, and it has very limited availability.

In this context, it is impractical to ensure that every customer wishing to 'fly on SAF' has physical SAF at their airport, much less loaded into their specific flights. Through Wheels Up's program, charter customers determine the amount of SAF they wish to support, and Wheels Up coordinates with Delta to direct customer contributions through the Delta SAF Program.

By integrating SAF into Wheels Up's charter infrastructure, Wheels Up and its customers have the opportunity to help increase the demand for SAF. Such market frameworks are anticipated to play a critical role in scaling SAF production and use in the coming years.

To support this initiative, Wheels Up has partnered with Chooose, a leading software platform specializing in lower-carbon aviation solutions.

Commitment to Sustainability
With the launch of this SAF program, Wheels Up is taking a proactive step towards helping to reduce aviation's carbon footprint. This introduction empowers customers to make more sustainable travel choices and contribute towards decarbonizing aviation by supporting SAF.

Jill Greer, Wheels Up's Executive Vice President, Investor Relations and Sustainability, commented:

"We are delighted to launch our Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) program. As demand for ESG-conscious travel options grows, this initiative allows our customers to take meaningful steps toward reducing their carbon footprint, while reinforcing Wheels Up's commitment to sustainable aviation."

Charlotte Lollar, Director of Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Delta Air Lines, added:

"We are pleased to collaborate with Wheels Up to provide access to Delta's SAF supply. Through this new partnership, we're able to offer charter customers a traceable and scalable way to contribute to reducing aviation emissions - even when traveling in locations where SAF is not readily available. We are excited to continue to propel the industry forward toward more sustainable aviation solutions."

About Wheels Up
Wheels Up is a leading provider of on-demand private aviation in the U.S. with a large, diverse fleet and a global network of safety-vetted charter operators, all committed to safety and service. Customers access charter and membership programs and commercial travel benefits through a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines. Wheels Up also provides freight, safety, security, and managed services to a range of clients, including individuals and government organizations. With the Wheels Up app and website, members can easily search, book, and fly.

For more information, visit www.wheelsup.com.

About Chooose
Chooose builds software solutions to enable the lower carbon fuel value chain. Companies like Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Flexport and Wheels Up use the Chooose platform to operate and scale their SAF programs and to advance voluntary and compliance carbon initiatives. For more information, please visit chooose.today.

Media contact: press@wheelsup.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wheels-up-launches-new-sustainable-aviation-fuel-program-setting-a-new-industry-standard-302446456.html

SOURCE Wheels Up

FAQ

What is Wheels Up's (UP) new Sustainable Aviation Fuel program?

Wheels Up's SAF program is an initiative that allows charter customers to contribute towards decarbonizing aviation by supporting Sustainable Aviation Fuel through Delta Air Lines, regardless of their flight operator or departure airport.

How much can Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) reduce carbon emissions in UP flights?

SAF can achieve up to an 80% reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil-based jet fuel.

Who are Wheels Up's (UP) partners in the SAF program?

Wheels Up has partnered with Delta Air Lines to purchase SAF and Chooose, a software platform specializing in lower-carbon aviation solutions.

What percentage of global jet fuel production is currently SAF?

As of 2024, SAF only accounts for 0.3% of global jet fuel production.

How does Wheels Up's (UP) SAF program work?

Customers determine the amount of SAF they wish to support, and Wheels Up coordinates with Delta to direct these contributions through the Delta SAF Program, helping increase demand for sustainable fuel.