Wheels Up Signs Agreement to Buy Six Factory-New Embraer Phenom 300E Jets for 2027 Delivery
Why It MattersA charter and membership operator choosing factory-new light jets over further used-aircraft additions shows demand for a uniform premium product now influencing how such fleets are built and refreshed.
What happened
Wheels Up has signed a definitive agreement with Embraer to purchase six factory-new Phenom 300E premium light jets, with deliveries scheduled for the second half of 2027. The agreement follows nearly three years of discussions on acquiring new aircraft and builds on a longstanding relationship between the two companies.
The six aircraft will join the 29 Phenom 300/300E jets and 15 Bombardier Challenger 300 series aircraft that currently make up Wheels Up's premium controlled fleet. They will be delivered with satellite Wi-Fi already installed, matching the Phenom and Challenger fleets.
Wheels Up CEO George Mattson said the company completed its fleet modernization program earlier this year, more than 18 months ahead of schedule, and has seen strong growth in demand for its Signature membership offering, welcoming more than 1,500 Signature members in the first year since launch. He said the decision to buy factory-new Phenom 300Es reflects strong demand trends and a commitment to a consistent, premium customer experience.
Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, said planning for bringing new Phenom 300E aircraft into the Wheels Up fleet began in 2024.
Industry impact & what to watch
For a membership-based operator, fleet uniformity is part of the product. A single light-jet type with the same connectivity fit across the fleet lets the operator promise the same cabin experience on every booking, and that consistency is hard to deliver with mixed-age or mixed-specification aircraft. Placing a firm order for new Phenom 300Es, after a modernization program that finished ahead of schedule, indicates that Wheels Up is now adding capacity rather than only renewing it.
The timing of the order matters for the segment as well. A second-half 2027 delivery window means the aircraft arrive well after the agreement is signed, so the capacity effect is a 2027 story, not a near-term one. Operators in the same segment that want new light jets will be competing for the same manufacturer production slots over that period.
The next concrete milestone is the delivery of the first of the six aircraft in the second half of 2027, which will show how the new jets are absorbed into a premium fleet of 44 Phenom and Challenger aircraft.
