When I think about the final leg of a trip—the “last mile”—it’s often been unglamorous: a dreaded third flight connection, a long car ride, or another delay after an already exhausting travel day. This summer, however, private aviation company Wheels Up changed that perception through a first-of-its-kind partnership with Delta Air Lines.
In May, Delta One passengers bound for key European hubs such as Athens, Barcelona, Naples, Nice and Rome were offered a new option: reserve a private jet for the final leg through Wheels Up and its U.K.-based partner, Air Partner. The collaboration was timed for the summer season, when popular destinations like St. Tropez, Mykonos, Ibiza and the Amalfi Coast are in highest demand but often require additional transfers after commercial flights.
© Wheels Up
“Our goal for this summer has been to build on the interest we’ve already seen in our solution-oriented model for booking private aircraft,” said George Mattson, CEO of Wheels Up. “We saw the most opportunity helping travelers book their ‘last mile’ privately—helping our fliers reach far-flung or coveted destinations where direct commercial flights are limited.”
For example, a typical route from the U.S. East Coast to St. Tropez often involves a red-eye to Paris, a connection to Nice and a 90-minute drive to the resort. The Delta-Wheels Up partnership lets passengers bypass crowded terminals and lengthy waits in favor of runway-side private transfers and a seamless connection that lets travelers start their vacation before they land.
“It’s about transforming the final leg of travel into something effortless and elevated,” Mattson said, crediting Delta’s strategic investment in Wheels Up for positioning the companies to bridge commercial and private aviation. Historically, these two sectors have operated separately; the partnership addresses a clear gap by making commercial-to-private connections more accessible and intuitive.
© Wheels Up
Private aviation has seen strong growth since the pandemic, yet Mattson notes that roughly 90 percent of people who could afford private flights still do not use them—often due to perceived complexity, lack of awareness, or limited trust. By integrating with Delta, Wheels Up offers premium cabin travelers a trusted, familiar brand through which they can access private aviation, simplifying the decision and process.
“The curated summer prompts we’re delivering to Delta One passengers show how this model can attract a new audience—travelers who might not seek private aviation but appreciate its ease, access and comfort when it’s presented seamlessly,” Mattson explained.
The “last mile” initiative also reflects broader travel demand among premium customers. The expansion of on-demand private jet services and a stronger focus on personalized travel experiences are driving interest in private options for short, high-value segments of a trip.
© Wheels Up
Customization remains a hallmark of private air travel—from departure timing and onboard catering to aircraft selection. Wheels Up customers can choose from approximately 7,000 aircraft worldwide, including a recent acquisition of 18 Phenom 300 series jets. The greater number of airports that accept private aircraft—around 5,000 in the U.S. compared with about 500 commercial airports—adds another convenience layer for private travelers.
Although the current program is tied to Delta Air Lines, Wheels Up offers “last mile” options to a broader range of travelers. The company adapted the concept to address a common luxury travel issue: complex or time-consuming connections required to reach remote, high-demand or crowded destinations.
Wheels Up’s last-mile solutions include direct services to island and coastal locations such as Martha’s Vineyard and the Hamptons, helicopter transfers between private and commercial airports, and seaplane flights through its partnership with Tropic Ocean Airways that deliver passengers directly to waterfront resorts.
“Whether it’s a seaplane that lands a few steps from a resort, a yacht sailing in the Caribbean, or a jet that bypasses multiple layovers, we’re returning time to our customers and opening up destinations they might not have considered,” Mattson said.