Wheels Up Experience Inc. (NYSE:UP) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Kenny Dichter: Yeah. Thanks, Michael. We did see a little bit of slowing as we came through the end of the fourth quarter, although we still posted a strong number and revenue up 18%. So — but I would say as we gotten into the first part of this year, I would say January, traditionally a bit of a volatile time in terms of some of the flight schedules coming out of the holidays, a little slower than what we had initially expected. But I’d say we’ve seen good improvement through the month of February and our booking levels heading into March now that we’re in through the first week or so, look much stronger. And I think that’s given us real confidence as we go into the remainder of the year that we’re well positioned. We’re, again, fortunate to be starting with a strong foundation, a great brand, a really loyal member set.

I think — and I think as we talked a little bit in some of the comments, we’re increasingly trying to use dynamic pricing as a way to kind of drive even more revenue, but the right kind of revenue, on the right days, in the right locations. We mentioned this special offer that we have out at the moment on Kinnar , east of the Mississippi, again, in a way that helps support the efficiency and the utility goals that we have that are aligned to the profitability targets of the business.

Michael Bellisario: Thanks. And then just one the house-keeping item on guidance. Any aircraft sales assumed in your 2023 revenue guide?

Todd Smith: Yes, yes. We’ll assume that we’ll continue to have some aircraft sales. But I think for the first quarter that will be a reasonably light component of our profile. But we’ll continue to look opportunistically for where there’s opportunities there, and we’ll see some come through, but not a meaningful contributor in the first quarter.

Michael Bellisario: Got it. And then just last one for me on expenses. You didn’t touch on this too much in your prepared remarks, but have you seen any improvements in cost pressures or changes with the outlook for pilots’ parts or maintenance as we flip the calendar into 2023.

Todd Smith: Yes. I mean, look, we’re not immune like everyone in the industry. We felt certainly some of those inflationary pressures. We’ve got that built into our profile. And I think that’s informed a lot of the actions that we’re taking elsewhere, both in some of the price increases that are increasingly working its way through the book, but also some of the cost actions and the productivity efforts that we’re driving towards. So look, we recognize and expect that, that inflationary pressure is a reality, and we’re working to make sure that we take the actions we need to. I’d say one of the things that we are seeing a little bit of favorability on is some of the third-party pricing obviously, with a supply-constrained market in 2022, the margins there came under pressure a bit.

I think as supply is rebalanced a bit towards the end of the year and heading into certainly the first part of 2023, we’re seeing a little bit more favorability there as we’re securing some of that third-party supply in the market.

Michael Bellisario: Thank you. That’s all for me.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from Marvin Fong of BTIG. Marvin, your line is open. Please go ahead.

Marvin Fong: Good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Thanks to Todd for walking us through in pretty good detail. I had three questions. I just wanted to touch base again on the commentary about the booking uptick that you saw at the end of February and into the first week of March. Could you maybe characterize that? I mean, were you guys or break that down between potentially any marketing that you guys are doing to drive demand, or do you believe that, that was more or less just a general improvement in customer demand?