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Delta Air Lines (NYSE: UP) discloses 36.3% Wheels Up stake and $100M term loan

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
SCHEDULE 13D/A

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Delta Air Lines reports beneficial ownership of 13,168,465 shares of Wheels Up Experience Inc. Class A common stock, representing 36.3% of the class, based on 36,260,282 shares outstanding as of May 29, 2026.

The filing explains that under a Voting Agreement, any shares held by Delta above 29.9% of the outstanding Class A stock are treated as neutral for voting and mirror the broader shareholder vote.

Delta also discloses a new unsecured 2026 Term Loan Credit Agreement, under which lead lenders provided Wheels Up a $100.0 million initial term loan, including a $57.0 million commitment from Delta. The loan bears 12% annual interest, primarily payable in kind and capitalized quarterly, and matures on the earliest of several dates including May 29, 2029.

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Insights

Delta discloses a large equity stake and a high‑yield term loan to Wheels Up.

Delta Air Lines now reports beneficial ownership of 13,168,465 Wheels Up Class A shares, or 36.3%, based on 36,260,282 shares outstanding as of May 29, 2026. A Voting Agreement caps its effective voting influence at 29.9%, with excess shares voting proportionally with other holders.

The filing also describes a new unsecured 2026 term loan facility where lead lenders, including Delta, provided an initial $100.0 million loan, with Delta committing $57.0 million. The loan carries a relatively high 12% annual interest rate, primarily paid in kind and added to principal, and can be increased by up to an additional $100.0 million in incremental term loans.

This arrangement combines a substantial equity position with creditor exposure, concentrating Wheels Up’s financial ties to Delta and two other lead lenders. Actual impact on ownership dynamics and leverage will depend on future amendments, incremental borrowings and Wheels Up’s subsequent disclosures.

Beneficial ownership 13,168,465 shares Delta’s Class A shares with sole voting and dispositive power
Ownership percentage 36.3% Share of Wheels Up Class A based on 36,260,282 shares outstanding as of May 29, 2026
Shares outstanding 36,260,282 shares Wheels Up Class A shares outstanding as of May 29, 2026
Voting cap 29.9% Threshold above which Delta’s shares are neutral for voting
Initial 2026 term loan $100.0 million Unsecured term loan facility provided to Wheels Up
Delta’s term loan commitment $57.0 million Portion of the Initial 2026 Term Loan committed by Delta
Interest rate 12% per annum Interest on 2026 Term Loan, compounded quarterly and usually paid in kind
Potential incremental loans Up to $100.0 million Additional 2026 term loan commitments permitted under the agreement
beneficial ownership financial
"each Covered Person may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Class A Common Stock"
Beneficial ownership means the person or entity that actually enjoys the benefits of owning shares or other assets — such as receiving dividends, voting rights, or price gains — even if the legal title is held in another name. For investors it matters because knowing who truly controls and profits from a company reveals who can influence decisions, exposes potential conflicts of interest or hidden concentration of power, and affects transparency and risk in the stock.
Voting Agreement financial
"does not give effect to the Voting Agreement ... any shares ... in excess of 29.9% ... shall be neutral shares"
A voting agreement is a legally binding pact in which shareholders promise to cast their votes the same way on certain corporate matters, such as electing directors or approving a merger. It matters to investors because it changes who controls company decisions and makes outcomes more predictable—like a group of neighbors agreeing in advance to vote the same way on a community rule, it can strengthen or limit the influence of other shareholders and affect the company’s future direction.
unsecured term loan facility financial
"Lead Lenders provided an unsecured term loan facility to the Issuer in the aggregate original principal amount of $100.0 million"
A secured term loan facility is a chunk of borrowed money a company gets for a set period with scheduled repayments, arranged through one or more lenders; “unsecured” means the loan is not backed by specific assets as collateral. Think of it like borrowing from a lender based on your word and credit rather than leaving a valuable item as security. Investors watch these loans because they increase a company’s debt load, affect cash flow through interest payments, and rank lower for repayment if the company faces bankruptcy, so they signal higher credit risk and can influence valuation and credit ratings.
Event of Default financial
"upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default (as defined in the 2026 Credit Agreement)"
An event of default is a specific breach of a loan or bond agreement—such as missed payments or breaking agreed rules—that gives lenders the legal right to act, for example by demanding immediate repayment, seizing collateral, or accelerating other obligations. For investors, it’s a red flag because it can sharply reduce a company’s ability to operate or raise money, like a car lender repossessing a vehicle after missed payments, and often leads to falling share or bond prices.
Alternate Base Rate financial
"other outstanding liabilities ... at a rate equal to the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the 2026 Credit Agreement) plus 2% per annum"
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96328L304

(CUSIP Number)
Peter W. Carter
Delta Air Lines, Inc., 1030 Delta Boulevard
Atlanta, GA, 30354
404-715-2600

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
05/29/2026

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).




schemaVersion:


SCHEDULE 13D




Comment for Type of Reporting Person:
Percentage calculated on the basis of 36,260,282 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value (the "Class A Common Stock"), of Wheels Up Experience Inc. (the "Issuer"), outstanding as of May 29, 2026, as reported by the Issuer on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on June 1, 2026. Neither this percentage nor the shares listed above as being beneficially owned reflect Earnout Shares (as defined in the Issuer's initial statement on Schedule 13D), which are issuable only upon the achievement of share price thresholds for Class A Common Stock that have not been satisfied. The percentage reported above does not give effect to the Voting Agreement (as defined in Amendment No. 3 to the initial statement on Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Person), pursuant to which the Reporting Person has agreed with the Issuer that any shares of Class A Common Stock held directly or indirectly by the Reporting Person in excess of 29.9% of the issued and outstanding Class A Common Stock shall be neutral shares with respect to voting rights, voted on any matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Issuer in the same proportions "for", "against", "abstain" and/or "withhold" on such matter as the shares of Class A Common Stock voted by the stockholders of the Issuer other than the Reporting Person.


SCHEDULE 13D


Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Signature:/s/ Peter W. Carter
Name/Title:Peter W. Carter, President
Date:06/02/2026

FAQ

What percentage of Wheels Up (UP) does Delta Air Lines currently report owning?

Delta Air Lines reports beneficial ownership of 13,168,465 Wheels Up Class A shares, equal to 36.3% of the class. This percentage is calculated using 36,260,282 Class A shares outstanding as of May 29, 2026, as disclosed in a recent company filing.

How many Wheels Up (UP) shares does Delta Air Lines beneficially own according to this Schedule 13D/A?

Delta Air Lines beneficially owns 13,168,465 shares of Wheels Up Class A common stock. This figure reflects shares over which Delta has sole voting and dispositive power, and is used to derive its 36.3% ownership percentage reported in the filing.

What is the Voting Agreement limiting Delta’s voting power in Wheels Up (UP)?

Under the Voting Agreement, any Wheels Up Class A shares held by Delta above 29.9% of outstanding shares become neutral for voting. Those excess shares are voted in the same “for,” “against,” “abstain,” or “withhold” proportions as shares voted by other shareholders.

What are the key terms of the 2026 Term Loan Credit Agreement for Wheels Up (UP)?

The 2026 Term Loan Credit Agreement provides an unsecured term loan facility with an initial $100.0 million principal amount. It carries 12% annual interest, generally paid in kind and capitalized quarterly, and has a scheduled maturity as early as May 29, 2029, subject to specified triggers.

How much of the 2026 term loan commitment to Wheels Up (UP) did Delta make?

Of the initial $100.0 million 2026 term loan facility, Delta Air Lines committed $57.0 million. The remaining amount was provided by Cox Investment Holdings, LLC and CK Wheels LLC as fellow lead lenders under the unsecured credit agreement.

Can the Wheels Up (UP) 2026 term loan facility be increased beyond $100 million?

Yes. Under the 2026 Credit Agreement, Wheels Up may request additional “Incremental Term Loan” commitments, with consent from each lead lender, in an aggregate original principal amount of up to $100.0 million, potentially doubling the overall 2026 term loan capacity.