This article is based on an official press release from Wheels Up.

Wheels Up Unifies Brand and Launches Concierge Service Model

On January 27, 2026, Wheels Up Experience Inc. announced a comprehensive restructuring of its customer engagement strategy, marking a significant step in the company’s ongoing turnaround efforts. The Private-Jets provider is unifying its various service offerings, including membership, ad-hoc charter, and group charter, under a single Wheels Up brand within the United States. Concurrently, the company is introducing a new “concierge-level” service model designed to mirror the sales structure of its largest shareholder, Delta Air Lines.

According to the company’s announcement, this strategic shift aims to eliminate fragmentation in the customer journey. By retiring the Air Partner brand for U.S. private jet operations and consolidating teams, Wheels Up intends to provide a seamless entry point for all flyers, regardless of whether they are programmatic members or occasional charter clients.

“These go-to-market changes are designed to deliver a more seamless and personalized experience while leveraging the full breadth of our industry-first aviation solutions platform. By unifying our global membership and charter sales teams and our customer service functions, we will provide a consistent experience throughout the customer journey.”

George Mattson, CEO of Wheels Up

Consolidating the Air Partner Legacy

A central component of this restructuring involves the integration of Air Partner, the global aviation services group Wheels Up acquired in April 2022 for approximately $107 million. Until now, Air Partner operated as a distinct entity, primarily handling ad-hoc charter brokering and group travel. Under the new strategy, Air Partner’s U.S. private jet and group charter operations will move strictly under the Wheels Up banner.

The company noted that the Air Partner brand will not disappear entirely; it will be retained for cargo services and operations outside the United States, with international alignment expected to follow in the coming months. Mark Briffa, Chief Sales Officer at Wheels Up and former CEO of Air Partner, emphasized that the move leverages Air Partner’s historical strengths within a unified platform.

“Bringing our teams together under one platform and one brand allows us to build on Air Partner’s over 65 years of heritage… while delivering more connected, coordinated, and comprehensive solutions for customers.”

Mark Briffa, Chief Sales Officer, Wheels Up

The “Squad” Model and Delta Alignment

The operational overhaul introduces a “concierge-level customer engagement model” that replaces general call centers with dedicated, regionally focused teams. According to the press release, clients will now be paired with specific “squads” responsible for the entire lifecycle of their travel, from initial booking to trip execution.

This structure is explicitly modeled after Delta Air Lines’ global sales organization. By aligning its sales teams geographically and by industry sector, Wheels Up aims to facilitate “co-location” with Delta’s corporate sales teams. This alignment is intended to streamline cross-selling, allowing the two companies to jointly pitch corporate accounts on a hybrid travel solution that combines commercial flights with private aviation for “last mile” connectivity.

AirPro News Analysis: Elevating the Ad-Hoc Flyer

While dedicated account management is a staple of private aviation for fractional owners, such as those at NetJets or VistaJet, Wheels Up’s application of this model to ad-hoc charter flyers represents a notable shift in strategy. Historically, the industry has bifurcated service levels: card members receive high-touch care, while one-off charter flyers receive transactional support.

By extending “concierge” treatment to ad-hoc customers, Wheels Up appears to be targeting the fragmented charter market aggressively. This move suggests a Strategy to incubate occasional flyers into long-term members by demonstrating service consistency before a membership commitment is made. Furthermore, the standardization of the fleet, transitioning to Embraer Phenom 300 and Bombardier Challenger 300 aircraft, supports this service promise by reducing the variability often associated with floating fleets.

Financial Context and Turnaround Progress

This announcement arrives as Wheels Up continues to execute a multi-year turnaround plan under CEO George Mattson. In its Q3 2025 financial results, released in November 2025, the company reported a net loss of $83.7 million. However, the report also highlighted improved contribution margins and a forecast for positive Adjusted EBITDA in 2025.

The unification of the brand and the streamlining of sales teams are likely aimed at reducing operational overhead while maximizing the revenue potential of the Delta partnership. As the company approaches its Q4 and Full Year 2025 reporting date in March 2026, these structural changes will be scrutinized as key indicators of the company’s path toward sustainable profitability.

Sources

• Wheels Up Investor Relations

This article summarizes reporting by NBC Boston and Marc Fortier, alongside data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities.

Challenger 600 Jet Crashes During Takeoff at Bangor International Airport Amidst Winter Storm

A private Bombardier Challenger 600-series jet crashed during a takeoff attempt at Bangor International Airport (BGR) in Maine on the evening of Sunday, January 25, 2026. The incident, which occurred amidst a severe winter storm affecting the Northeast, prompted an immediate and large-scale emergency response.

According to reporting by NBC Boston, the crash took place at approximately 7:45 p.m. ET. First responders and airport officials immediately closed the airfield to manage the scene. While specific casualty numbers have not been officially confirmed by authorities as of Monday morning, the incident is described as severe, with reports indicating the aircraft overturned and caught fire upon impact.

The aircraft, identified in preliminary reports and FAA records as registration N10KJ, was carrying eight people, six passengers and two crew members, at the time of the accident. The jet had reportedly stopped in Bangor for refueling while en route from Houston, Texas, to a destination in Europe.

Incident Details and Emergency Response

The sequence of events began shortly after the aircraft was cleared for takeoff on Runway 33. Preliminary data suggests the jet failed to gain altitude properly during its takeoff roll. Witnesses and first responders described the aircraft as flipping over or landing upside down, followed by a significant fire that complicated initial rescue efforts.

In a statement cited by NBC Boston, airport officials confirmed the timeline of the event:

“At approximately 7:45 p.m. there was an incident involving a single aircraft that was departing from BGR. First responders are still on scene… The airport is closed.”

Bangor Police and airport operations teams worked through the night, with the runway remaining closed to all incoming and outgoing traffic. Flights scheduled to arrive at BGR were diverted or canceled as the investigation and recovery operations commenced.

Environmental Factors: Severe Winter Conditions

The crash coincided with a major winter storm system moving through Maine. At the time of the accident, meteorological data indicated freezing temperatures hovering around 2°F, steady snow, and low visibility of approximately three-quarters of a mile.

Air traffic control audio recordings reviewed by aviation analysts suggest that the flight crew and controllers discussed de-icing procedures and visibility constraints shortly before the takeoff attempt. These environmental factors are expected to be a primary focus of the subsequent investigation by federal authorities.

AirPro News Analysis: Aircraft Ownership and Background

While authorities have not released the identities of the passengers, AirPro News has reviewed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registry data regarding the aircraft involved.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 series (specifically identified in some reports as a Challenger 650) bearing registration N10KJ is registered to KTKJ Challenger LLC. The principal address listed for this LLC corresponds to the headquarters of Arnold & Itkin LLP, a prominent personal injury law firm based in Houston, Texas. The firm is well-known for representing plaintiffs in high-profile maritime and industrial accident cases.

It remains unconfirmed whether partners or staff from the firm were on board the aircraft. The jet had arrived in Bangor from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston earlier that Sunday.

Investigation Underway

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA have launched formal investigations into the crash. An NTSB “Go Team” is expected to arrive on-site to begin forensic analysis of the wreckage, flight data recorders, and cockpit voice recorders.

Bangor International Airport serves as a common technical stop for private and military aircraft crossing the Atlantic due to its long runway and strategic location. However, this incident highlights the inherent risks of flight operations during severe winter weather conditions.

Updates regarding the condition of the passengers and crew are expected as local authorities and the NTSB release further information.

Sources

• NBC Boston
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Registry
• Bangor International Airport Official Statements

This article is based on an official announcement from Blackcomb Helicopters and additional industry reporting.

Summit Helicopters Acquires Blackcomb Helicopters’ Aviation Assets and Sightseeing Operations

In a significant shift for the Sea-to-Sky aviation landscape, Summit Helicopters has officially acquired the aviation assets and sightseeing business of Blackcomb Helicopters. The deal, announced on January 22, 2026, transfers the operation of the region’s iconic sightseeing tours and utility contracts to Summit, a subsidiary of the Ledcor Group of Companies.

According to the official announcement from Blackcomb Helicopters, the transaction ensures that the “same friendly team” will remain in place to deliver services. While Summit Helicopters takes over ownership of the fleet and bases, the popular sightseeing tours will continue to operate under the established Blackcomb brand, preserving a name that has served the corridor since 1989.

Operational Continuity and Asset Transfer

The acquisition involves the transfer of Blackcomb Helicopters’ remaining fleet of seven aircraft, along with its operational bases in Whistler and Squamish, British Columbia. Summit Helicopters will now oversee a diverse range of mission profiles previously managed by Blackcomb, including:

• Sightseeing Tours: Continuing under the Blackcomb banner.
• Utility and Film Production: Supporting the region’s heavy industry and Hollywood North productions.
• Emergency Services: Maintaining capabilities for firefighting and search-and-rescue (SAR) response.

In a statement regarding the transition, Blackcomb Helicopters emphasized the continuity of service:

“Summit will now operate our fleet of seven helicopters continuing Blackcomb’s work at our Squamish and Whistler bases in utility, film, firefighting, and emergency response – and will proudly continue to offer our popular sightseeing tours under the Blackcomb brand.”

— Blackcomb Helicopters Official Announcement

Peter Rice, Vice President of Summit Helicopters, welcomed the expansion, noting in industry reports that the move adds valuable talent and fleet assets to Summit’s operations, which already span Northern and Interior British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and international markets.

Context: The Final Step in Restructuring

This transaction marks the conclusion of a strategic restructuring for Blackcomb Helicopters under its previous owner, the McLean Group. Industry reporting indicates that this is the second phase of a two-part divestiture strategy executed over the winter of 2025–2026.

Separating Adventure from Aviation

Prior to this asset sale, the McLean Group sold Blackcomb’s “Tourism Division”, specifically the Coast Range Heli-Skiing and Tyax Adventures brands, to Whitecap Alpine Adventures in December 2025. This effectively separated the adventure tourism marketing entities from the aviation operations.

With the current deal, Summit Helicopters acquires the “hard assets”, the machines, hangars, and air operator certificates, necessary to fly the missions. Consequently, Summit is expected to act as the aviation provider for the tourism brands now owned by Whitecap, while simultaneously running its own utility operations.

Executive Commentary

Jason McLean, CEO of the McLean Group, reflected on the family’s tenure owning the operator since 2006. In a statement reported by industry sources, McLean expressed confidence in the new operators:

“After decades of specialized helicopter service which started in the Sea to Sky corridor and expanded throughout Canada, it is time for our family to make a change and pass Blackcomb Helicopters onto new operators. With shared values and commitment to always putting safety and premier customer experience first, we know our customers, our team and the communities we serve are in exceptionally good hands.”

— Jason McLean, CEO, The McLean Group

AirPro News Analysis

This acquisition reflects a broader trend of consolidation within the Canadian aviation sector. By absorbing Blackcomb’s Sea-to-Sky operations, Summit Helicopters (backed by the industrial giant Ledcor) secures a lucrative foothold in the Vancouver-Whistler corridor, complementing its existing strongholds in Yellowknife, Terrace, and Kamloops.

For the local market, the retention of the Blackcomb brand for sightseeing is a strategic move to maintain consumer trust. However, the operational shift to a larger corporate parent suggests a move toward greater economies of scale, likely necessary to buffer against the volatility of seasonal tourism and wildfire contract cycles.

Sources

Sources: Blackcomb Helicopters Official Announcement, Summit Helicopters / Ledcor Group Press Materials