NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS
Wheels Up Experience Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Wheels Up”, the “Company”, “our”, “we”, and “us”) is a leading brand in private aviation that strives to deliver a total private aviation solution.
On July 13, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), we consummated the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of February 1, 2021, as amended on May 6, 2021, by and among Aspirational Consumer Lifestyle Corp., a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Aspirational”), Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“WUP”), Kittyhawk Merger Sub LLC., a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Aspirational (“Merger Sub”), Wheels Up Blocker Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Aspirational (“Blocker Sub”), the Blocker Merger Subs (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the Blockers (as defined in the Merger Agreement). In connection with the closing of the Merger Agreement, Aspirational filed a notice of deregistration with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and filed a certificate of incorporation and a certificate of corporate domestication with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which Aspirational was domesticated and continues as a Delaware corporation, changing its name to “Wheels Up Experience Inc.” (the “Domestication”).
On the Closing Date, (i) the Blockers simultaneously merged with and into the respective Blocker Merger Subs, with the Blockers surviving each merger as wholly owned subsidiaries of Wheels Up (the “First Step Blocker Mergers”), (ii) thereafter, the surviving Blockers simultaneously merged with and into Blocker Sub, with Blocker Sub surviving each merger (the “Second Step Blocker Mergers”), and (iii) thereafter, Merger Sub merged with and into WUP, with WUP surviving the merger, with Wheels Up as its managing member (the “Company Merger” and collectively with the First Step Blocker Mergers and the Second Step Blocker Mergers, the “Mergers” and, together with the Domestication, the “Business Combination”) (See Note 3).
2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but certain notes or other information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP have been omitted if they substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in our annual audited consolidated financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Wheels Up Experience Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. We consolidate Wheels Up Partners MIP LLC (“MIP LLC”) and record the profits interests held in MIP LLC that Wheels Up does not own as non-controlling interests (see Note 14). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to instructions, rules and regulations prescribed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented reflects all adjustments, which are normal and recurring, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated statement of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Interim results should not be regarded as indicative of results that may be expected for any other period or the entire year. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with
the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Use of Estimates
Preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates due to risks and uncertainties, including uncertainty in the current economic environment due to COVID-19, and any evolutions thereof (“COVID-19”). The most significant estimates include, but are not limited to, the useful lives and residual values of purchased aircraft, the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, acquired intangible assets, goodwill, contingent consideration, and other assets and liabilities, sales and use tax, the estimated life of member relationships, the determination of the allowance for credit losses, impairment assessments, the determination of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and the incremental borrowing rate for leases.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting standards update (“ASU”) 2021-08, Business Combinations: Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (ASC 805). This standard simplifies the measurement and recognition of contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers acquired in a business combination. This guidance will generally result in the recognition of contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with those reported by the acquiree immediately before the acquisition date. We adopted ASU 2021-08 on January 1, 2022. This adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
3.BUSINESS COMBINATION
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, where Aspirational was treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes. This accounting treatment is the equivalent of Wheels Up issuing stock for the net assets of Aspirational, accompanied by a recapitalization whereby no goodwill or other intangible assets are recorded. Accordingly, WUP is deemed the accounting predecessor of the combined business, and Wheels Up, as the parent company of the combined business, is the successor SEC registrant, meaning that all historical financial information presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements prior to the closing of the Business Combination represents the accounts of WUP.
Upon closing of the Business Combination, all outstanding WUP common interests and WUP preferred interests (including WUP restricted interests), as well as shares underlying WUP options, were converted into 190.0 million shares of Class A common stock and rolled over into the combined business. In addition, there were 29.0 million outstanding WUP profits interests recapitalized in connection with the Business Combination that can be exchanged on a value-for-value basis for Class A common stock subject to vesting.
Upon closing of the Business Combination, Aspirational and Aspirational’s public shareholders held 6.0 million and 10.6 million shares, respectively, of Class A common stock.
All references to numbers of common shares and per common share data prior to the Business Combination in these condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been retroactively adjusted to account for the effect of the reverse recapitalization. The reported share and per share amounts, have been converted by applying the exchange ratio established in the Merger Agreement of 0.4604, which was based on the Wheels Up implied price per share prior to the Business Combination (the “Exchange Ratio”). On the Closing Date, we received
approximately $656.3 million in gross proceeds. In connection with the Business Combination, we incurred $70.4 million of transaction costs, consisting of advisory, legal, share registration and other professional fees, which are recorded within additional paid-in capital as a reduction of proceeds.
PIPE Investment
In connection with the Business Combination, Aspirational entered into subscription agreements with certain investors (the “PIPE Investors”), whereby Aspirational issued 55,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share (the “PIPE Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $550 million (the “PIPE Investment”), which closed simultaneously with the consummation of the Business Combination. On the Closing Date, the PIPE Shares were automatically converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.
Earnout Shares
Further, as part of the Business Combination, existing holders of WUP equity, including holders of profits interests and restricted interests, but excluding holders of stock options, have the right to receive up to an aggregate of 9,000,000 additional shares of Class A common stock in three equal tranches, which are issuable upon the achievement of Class A common stock share price thresholds of $12.50, $15.00, and $17.50 for any 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days within five years of the Closing Date, respectively (the “Earnout Shares”).
Public Warrants and Private Warrants
The warrants assumed in the Business Combination include (i) 7,991,544 redeemable warrants sold by Aspirational as part of its initial public offering (the “Public Warrants”) of 23,974,362 units, consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant exercisable for Class A common stock and (ii) 4,529,950 warrants privately sold by Aspirational at a price of $1.50 per warrant (the “Private Warrants”) to Aspirational Consumer Lifestyle Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”) simultaneously with the closing of the Aspirational initial public offering exercisable for Class A common stock.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Aircraft | $ | 548,300 | | | $ | 482,848 | |
Software development costs | 41,416 | | | 35,818 | |
Leasehold improvements | 8,301 | | | 12,584 | |
Computer equipment | 2,147 | | | 2,147 | |
Buildings and improvements | 1,424 | | | 1,424 | |
Furniture and fixtures | 1,997 | | | 1,960 | |
Tooling | 3,402 | | | 3,129 | |
Vehicles | 1,157 | | | 1,142 | |
| 608,144 | | | 541,052 | |
| | | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (227,919) | | | (223,216) | |
Total | $ | 380,225 | | | $ | 317,836 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was $9.5 million and $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Capitalized costs related to the internal development of software was $5.5 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Amortization expense related to software development costs, included as part of depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment, was $2.3 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
5. REVENUE
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table disaggregates revenue by service type and the timing of when these services are provided to the member or customer (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Services transferred at a point in time: | | | |
Flights, net of discounts and incentives | $ | 236,363 | | | $ | 190,474 | |
Aircraft management | 58,049 | | | 48,423 | |
Other | 7,178 | | | 4,289 | |
| | | |
Services transferred over time: | | | |
Memberships | 20,647 | | | 14,974 | |
Aircraft management | 2,457 | | | 2,457 | |
Other | 941 | | | 1,040 | |
Total | $ | 325,635 | | | $ | 261,657 | |
Revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations is presented net of discounts and incentives of $3.2 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
Contract Balances
Receivables from member and customer contracts are included within accounts receivable, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, gross receivables from members and customers were $71.6 million and $71.8 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, undeposited funds, included within accounts receivable, net, were $11.2 million and $13.5 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the allowance for expected credit losses was $4.8 million and $5.9 million, respectively.
Deferred revenue consists of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Flights - Prepaid Blocks and jet cards | $ | 848,275 | | | $ | 876,750 | |
Memberships - annual dues | 46,339 | | | 47,069 | |
Memberships - initiation fees | 3,824 | | | 4,072 | |
Flights - credits | 6,081 | | | 6,633 | |
Other | 560 | | | 960 | |
Deferred revenue - total | 905,079 | | | 935,484 | |
| | | |
Less: Deferred revenue - current | (903,245) | | | (933,527) | |
Deferred revenue - non-current | $ | 1,834 | | | $ | 1,957 | |
Changes in deferred revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Deferred revenue - beginning balance | $ | 935,484 | |
Amounts deferred during the period | 230,653 | |
Revenue recognized from amounts included in the deferred revenue beginning balance | (206,728) | |
Revenue from current period sales | (54,330) | |
Deferred revenue - ending balance | $ | 905,079 | |
Revenue expected to be recognized in future periods for performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, as of March 31, 2022 approximates $470.5 million for the remaining three quarters of 2022 and $296.7 million, $69.3 million and $68.6 million for 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Costs to Obtain a Contract
Capitalized costs related to sales commissions and referral fees were $4.3 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, capitalized sales commissions and referral fees of $9.5 million and $8.6 million, respectively, are in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively, are in other non-current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense related to capitalized sales commissions and referral fees included in sales and marketing expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $3.5 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
6. ACQUISITIONS
Alante Air Charter, LLC Acquisition
On February 3, 2022, we acquired all of the outstanding equity of Alante Air Charter, LLC (“Alante Air”) for a total purchase price of $14.6 million in cash. Alante Air adds 12 Light jets to our controlled fleet and expands our presence in the Western United States. Acquisition-related costs for Alante Air of $0.5 million were included in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The acquisition of Alante Air was determined to be a business combination.
As of the date of acquisition, the total preliminary purchase price allocated to the Alante Air assets acquired and liabilities assumed according to their estimated fair values were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Current assets | $ | 4,452 | |
Goodwill | 12,177 | |
Other assets | 22,048 | |
Total assets acquired | 38,677 | |
Total liabilities assumed | (24,101) | |
Net assets acquired | $ | 14,576 | |
Current assets of Alante Air included $3.0 million of cash and $1.4 million of accounts receivable, including $15 thousand owed from Wheels Up that was eliminated in consolidation upon acquisition.
The above initial fair value estimates of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were provisional based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the acquired net tangible assets. The allocated value of goodwill primarily relates to anticipated synergies and economies of scale by combining the use of Alante Air’s aircraft and existing business processes with our other acquisitions. The acquired goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.
The results of Alante Air were included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations from the date of acquisition. Revenue for Alante Air was $2.4 million, net of intercompany eliminations, and loss from operations was $3.5 million from the date of acquisition through March 31, 2022.
Unaudited Pro Forma Summary of Operations
The accompanying unaudited pro forma summary represents the consolidated results of operations as if the 2021 acquisition of Mountain Aviation, LLC had been completed as of January 1, 2021 and the 2022 acquisition of Alante Air had been completed as of January 1, 2021. The unaudited pro forma financial results for 2022 reflect the results for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as well as the effects of pro forma adjustments for the transaction in 2022. The unaudited pro forma financial information includes the accounting effects of the acquisition, including professional fees associated with the transaction. The pro forma results were based on estimates and assumptions, which we believe are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma summary does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have been achieved had the companies been combined during the periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of future consolidated results (in thousands, except per share data).
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Net revenue | $ | 328,035 | | | $ | 270,059 | |
Net loss | $ | (88,454) | | | $ | (32,436) | |
Net loss attributable to Wheels Up Experience Inc. | $ | (88,074) | | | $ | (29,614) | |
Net loss per share | $ | (0.36) | | | $ | (0.18) | |
7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The change in the carrying value of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2022, was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | $ | 437,398 | |
Acquisition of Alante Air | 12,177 | |
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | $ | 449,575 | |
Intangible Assets
The gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 |
| Gross Carrying Value | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Value |
Status | $ | 80,000 | | | $ | 17,644 | | | $ | 62,356 | |
Customer relationships | 74,600 | | | 16,403 | | | 58,197 | |
Non-competition agreement | 210 | | | 210 | | | — | |
Trade name | 14,230 | | | 6,046 | | | 8,184 | |
Developed technology | 19,545 | | | 7,085 | | | 12,460 | |
Leasehold interest - favorable | 600 | | | 63 | | | 537 | |
Total | $ | 189,185 | | | $ | 47,451 | | | $ | 141,734 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 |
| Gross Carrying Value | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Value |
Status | $ | 80,000 | | | $ | 15,644 | | | $ | 64,356 | |
Customer relationships | 74,600 | | | 14,443 | | | 60,157 | |
Non-competition agreement | 210 | | | 209 | | | 1 | |
Trade name | 14,230 | | | 5,493 | | | 8,737 | |
Developed technology | 19,545 | | | 6,380 | | | 13,165 | |
Leasehold interest - favorable | 600 | | | 57 | | | 543 | |
Total | $ | 189,185 | | | $ | 42,226 | | | $ | 146,959 | |
Amortization expense of intangible assets was $5.2 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Intangible Liabilities
The gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of intangible liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 |
| Gross Carrying Value | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Value |
Intangible liabilities | $ | 20,000 | | | $ | 4,417 | | | $ | 15,583 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 |
| Gross Carrying Value | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Value |
Intangible liabilities | $ | 20,000 | | | $ | 3,917 | | | $ | 16,083 | |
Amortization of intangible liabilities, which reduces amortization expense was $0.5 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Future amortization expense of intangible assets and intangible liabilities held as of March 31, 2022, are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ending December 31, | Intangible Assets | | Intangible Liabilities |
2022 | $ | 14,898 | | | $ | 1,500 | |
2023 | 19,864 | | | 2,000 | |
2024 | 19,701 | | | 2,000 | |
2025 | 19,288 | | | 2,000 | |
2026 | 18,604 | | | 2,000 | |
Thereafter | 49,379 | | | 6,083 | |
Total | $ | 141,734 | | | $ | 15,583 | |
8. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH
Cash Equivalents
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $408.1 million and generally consisted of investments in money market funds, United States (“U.S.”) treasury bills and time deposits.
Interest income from cash equivalents of $77 thousand and $12 thousand were recorded in interest income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Restricted Cash
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, restricted cash on the condensed consolidated balance sheets represents amounts held by financial institutions to establish a standby letter of credit required by the lessor of certain corporate office space.
A reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash from the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows is shown below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | March 31, 2021 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 537,699 | | | $ | 215,027 | |
Restricted cash | 2,148 | | | 15,262 | |
Total | $ | 539,847 | | | $ | 230,289 | |
9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, an exit price, in an orderly transaction between unaffiliated willing market participants on the measurement date under
current market conditions. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured and classified in accordance with a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the observability of the inputs available and activity in the markets used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
| | | | | |
Level 1 - | Quoted prices, unadjusted, in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the measurement date. |
| |
Level 2 - | Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. |
| |
Level 3 - | Unobservable inputs developed using our own estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. |
Financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy consist of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Fair Value |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents | $ | 408,139 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 408,139 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Warrant liability - Public Warrants | 4,236 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,236 | |
Warrant liability - Private Warrants | — | | | 2,401 | | | — | | | 2,401 | |
Total liabilities | $ | 4,236 | | | $ | 2,401 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,637 | |
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Fair Value |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents | $ | 408,082 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 408,082 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Warrant liability - Public Warrants | 6,553 | | | — | | | — | | | 6,553 | |
Warrant liability - Private Warrants | — | | | 3,715 | | | — | | | 3,715 | |
Total liabilities | $ | 6,553 | | | $ | 3,715 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,268 | |
The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value and is classified within Level 1 because we determined the fair value through quoted market prices.
The warrants were accounted for as a liability in accordance with ASC 815-40 (see Note 18). The warrant liability was measured at fair value upon assumption and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we valued the warrants by applying the valuation technique of a Monte Carlo simulation model to reflect the redemption conditions. We used Level 1 inputs for the Public Warrants and Level 2 inputs for the Private Warrants. The Private Warrants are substantially similar to the Public Warrants, but not directly traded or quoted on an active market.
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of the warrant liability (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Public Warrants | | Private Warrants | | Total Warrant Liability |
Fair value as of December 31, 2021 | $ | 6,553 | | | $ | 3,715 | | | $ | 10,268 | |
Change in fair value of warrant liability | (2,317) | | | (1,314) | | | (3,631) | |
Fair value as of March 31, 2022 | $ | 4,236 | | | $ | 2,401 | | | $ | 6,637 | |
10. LONG-TERM DEBT
On July 21, 2021, in connection with proceeds received from the Business Combination, we repaid substantially all of the outstanding principal of our long-term debt, together with all accrued and unpaid interest in the amount of $175.5 million.
Amortization expense for debt discounts and deferred financing costs of $0.3 million was recorded in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Debt Covenants
Our credit facilities contained certain restrictive covenants. We have satisfied these covenants for all periods presented.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
We are party to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. While we do not expect that the ultimate resolution of any of these pending actions will have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties. As such, there can be no assurance that any pending legal action, which we believe to be immaterial as of March 31, 2022, does not become material in the future.
Sales and Use Tax Liability
We regularly provide services to members in various states within the continental U.S., which may create sales and use tax nexus via temporary presence, potentially requiring the payment of these taxes. We determined that there is uncertainty as to what constitutes nexus in respective states for a state to levy taxes, fees and surcharges relating to our activity. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, we estimate the potential exposure to such tax liability to be $9.0 million and $8.5 million, respectively, the expense for which is included in accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and cost of revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
12. LEASES
Leases primarily pertain to certain controlled aircraft, corporate headquarters, and operational facilities, including aircraft hangars, which are all accounted for as operating leases. We sublease the corporate headquarters and aircraft hangar at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport from Delta.
We have certain variable lease agreements with aircraft owners that contain payment terms based on an hourly lease rate multiplied by the number of flight hours during a month. Variable lease payments were $4.4 million and $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The components of net lease cost are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Operating lease costs | $ | 9,102 | | | $ | 7,554 | |
Short-term lease costs | 5,293 | | | 7,048 | |
Total lease costs | $ | 14,395 | | | $ | 14,602 | |
Costs related to leased aircraft and operational facilities were $12.5 million and $13.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and are included in cost of revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Costs related to leased corporate headquarters and other office space including expenses for non-lease components were $1.9 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and are included in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities: | | | |
Operating cash flows paid for operating leases | $ | 9,119 | | | $ | 7,867 | |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations | $ | 37,180 | | | $ | 40,093 | |
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years): | | | |
Operating leases | 6.1 | | 6.4 |
Weighted-average discount rate: | | | |
Operating leases | 9.0 | % | | 9.5 | % |
Maturities of lease liabilities, as of March 31, 2022, are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Year ending December 31, | Operating Leases |
2022 | $ | 29,320 | |
2023 | 35,583 | |
2024 | 29,954 | |
2025 | 17,329 | |
2026 | 11,323 | |
Thereafter | 42,580 | |
Total lease payments | 166,089 | |
Less: Imputed interest | (42,087) | |
Total lease obligations | $ | 124,002 | |
13. STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY AND EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
Pursuant to the Wheels Up Experience Inc. certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to issue 2,500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
As of March 31, 2022, we have the following nine equity-based compensation plans that were approved by the board of directors of WUP prior to the Business Combination, Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Equity Incentive Plan (“MIP Plan”), Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Equity Incentive Plan II (“MIP Plan II”); Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Equity Incentive Plan III (“MIP Plan III”); Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Equity Incentive Plan IV (“MIP Plan IV”); and Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Equity Incentive Plan V (“MIP Plan V”); Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Equity Incentive Plan VI (“MIP Plan VI”); Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Equity Incentive Plan VII (“MIP Plan VII”) and Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Equity Incentive Plan VIII (“MIP Plan VIII”); which collectively constitute the management incentive plan and the Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC Option Plan, which is the WUP stock option plan. As of March 31, 2022, no grants can be made under the WUP management incentive plan or the WUP stock option plan.
In connection with the Business Combination, the board of directors (the “Board”) and stockholders of Wheels Up adopted the Wheels Up Experience Inc. 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2021 LTIP”), for employees, consultants and other qualified persons.
WUP Management Incentive Plan
WUP Profits Interests
As of March 31, 2022, an aggregate of 31.3 million profits interests have been authorized and issued under the WUP management incentive plan.
The following table summarizes the profits interests activity under the WUP management incentive plan as of March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of WUP Profits Interests | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| (in thousands) | | |
Outstanding WUP profits interests as of January 1, 2022 | 28,819 | | | $ | 0.42 | |
Granted | — | | | — | |
Exchanged | — | | | — | |
Expired/forfeited | (6) | | | 0.24 | |
Outstanding WUP profits interests as of March 31, 2022 | 28,813 | | | $ | 0.42 | |
The weighted-average remaining contractual term as of March 31, 2022, for WUP profits interests outstanding was approximately 9.3 years.
The following table summarizes the status of non-vested WUP profits interests as of March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of WUP Profits Interests | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| (in thousands) | | |
Non-vested WUP profits interests as of January 1, 2022 | 4,733 | | | $ | 0.35 | |
Granted | — | | | |
Vested | (2,362) | | | 0.34 | |
Forfeited | (6) | | | 0.24 | |
Non-vested WUP profits interests as of March 31, 2022 | 2,365 | | | $ | 0.37 | |
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested WUP profits interests was $0.6 million as of March 31, 2022 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.9 years. The total fair value for WUP profits interests that vested was approximated $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
WUP Restricted Interests
As of March 31, 2022, under MIP Plan VII, 4.7 million WUP restricted interests have been authorized and issued to certain Wheels Up employees.
The following table summarizes the restricted interests activity under the WUP management incentive plan as of March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of WUP Restricted Interests | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| (in thousands) | | |
Non-vested WUP restricted interests as of January 1, 2022 | 4,662 | | | $ | 3.98 | |
Granted | — | | | — | |
Vested | (3,582) | | | 4.00 | |
Forfeited | — | | | — | |
Non-vested WUP restricted interests as of March 31, 2022 | 1,080 | | | $ | 3.91 | |
The weighted-average remaining contractual term as of March 31, 2022, for WUP restricted interests outstanding was approximately 7.8 years.
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested WUP restricted interests was $0.2 million as of March 31, 2022 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.4 years. WUP restricted interests are time and performance-based awards that vest with a change in control or initial public offering. As a result, we started recording compensation cost for WUP restricted interests on the Closing Date. The total fair value for WUP restricted interests that vested was approximated $14.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The WUP restricted interests granted vest when both of the following conditions exist: (i) ratably over a four-year service period and (ii) upon the first to occur of (A) a change of control and (B) the later to occur of (1) six months after an initial public offering and (2) 30 days after the expiration of any applicable lock-up period in connection with an initial public offering. The WUP restricted interests lock-up period expired on February 8, 2022. As of this date, the holders of WUP restricted interests met the vesting conditions for the portion of their awards that did not require further service.
WUP Stock Option Plan
As of March 31, 2022, the number of WUP stock options authorized and issued in aggregate under the WUP stock option plan was 17.5 million. Each outstanding stock option is exercisable for one share of Class A common stock.
The following table summarizes the activity under the WUP stock option plan as of March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of WUP Stock Options | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| (in thousands) | | | | |
Outstanding WUP stock options as of January 1, 2022 | 15,713 | | | $ | 7.52 | | | $ | 1.19 | |
Granted | — | | | — | | | — | |
Exercised | — | | | — | | | — | |
Forfeited | (440) | | | 7.72 | | | 1.35 | |
Expired | — | | | — | | | — | |
Outstanding WUP stock options as of March 31, 2022 | 15,273 | | | $ | 7.51 | | | $ | 1.18 | |
Exercisable WUP stock options as of March 31, 2022 | 12,070 | | | $ | 7.41 | | | $ | 1.04 | |
The aggregate intrinsic value as of March 31, 2022, for WUP stock options that were outstanding and exercisable was $0.
The weighted-average remaining contractual term as of March 31, 2022, for WUP stock options that were outstanding and exercisable was approximately 7.6 years and 7.4 years, respectively.
The following table summarizes the status of non-vested WUP stock options as of March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of WUP Stock Options | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| (in thousands) | | |
Non-vested WUP stock options as of January 1, 2022 | 3,971 | | | $ | 1.63 | |
Granted | — | | | — | |
Vested | (556) | | | 1.13 | |
Expired | — | | | — | |
Forfeited | (212) | | | 1.78 | |
Non-vested WUP stock options as of March 31, 2022 | 3,203 | | | $ | 1.70 | |
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested WUP stock options was $3.6 million as of March 31, 2022 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years. The total fair value for WUP stock options that vested was approximated $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
2021 LTIP
As of March 31, 2022, an aggregate of 27.3 million shares were authorized for issuance under the 2021 LTIP.
Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)
The following table summarizes the activity under the 2021 LTIP related to RSUs as of March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of RSUs | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| (in thousands) | | |
Non-vested RSUs as of January 1, 2022 | 8,411 | | | $ | 7.32 | |
Granted | 7,699 | | | 3.95 | |
Vested | (95) | | | 7.48 | |
Forfeited | (439) | | | 7.17 | |
Non-vested RSUs as of March 31, 2022 | 15,576 | | | $ | 5.66 | |
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs was $73.2 million as of March 31, 2022 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years. The total fair value for RSUs that vested was approximated $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Wheels Up Stock Options
The following table summarizes the activity under the 2021 LTIP related to Wheels Up stock options as of March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Wheels Up Stock Options | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| (in thousands) | | | | |
Outstanding Wheels Up stock options as of January 1, 2022 | 921 | | | $ | 10.00 | | | $ | 4.75 | |
Granted | — | | | — | | | — | |
Exercised | — | | | — | | | — | |
Forfeited | — | | | — | | | — | |
Expired | — | | | — | | | — | |
Outstanding Wheels Up stock options as of March 31, 2022 | 921 | | | $ | 10.00 | | | $ | 4.75 | |
Exercisable Wheels Up stock options as of March 31, 2022 | 230 | | | $ | 10.00 | | | $ | 4.75 | |
The aggregate intrinsic value as of March 31, 2022, for Wheels Up stock options that were outstanding and exercisable was $0.
The weighted-average remaining contractual term as of March 31, 2022, for Wheels Up stock options that were outstanding and exercisable was approximately 9.3 years and 9.3 years, respectively.
The following table summarizes the status of non-vested Wheels Up stock options as of March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Wheels Up Stock Options | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| (in thousands) | | |
Non-vested Wheels Up stock options as of January 1, 2022 | 768 | | | $ | 4.75 | |
Granted | — | | | — | |
Vested | (77) | | | 4.75 | |
Expired | — | | | — | |
Forfeited | — | | | — | |
Non-vested Wheels Up stock options as of March 31, 2022 | 691 | | | $ | 4.75 | |
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Wheels Up stock options was $3.1 million as of March 31, 2022 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. The total fair value of Wheels Up stock options that vested was approximated $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Equity-Based Compensation Expense
Compensation expense for WUP profits interests recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $0.7 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Compensation expense for WUP restricted interests recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $0.2 million and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Compensation expense for WUP stock options and Wheels Up stock options recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $3.1 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Compensation expense for RSUs recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $9.0 million and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table summarizes equity-based compensation expense recognized by condensed consolidated statement of operations line item (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Cost of revenue | $ | 4,432 | | | $ | 51 | |
Technology and development | 641 | | | 94 | |
Sales and marketing | 2,701 | | | 236 | |
General and administrative | 14,780 | | | 1,033 | |
Total equity-based compensation expense | $ | 22,554 | | | $ | 1,414 | |
Earnout Shares
The 9,000,000 Earnout Shares vest with the achievement of separate market conditions. One-third of the Earnout Shares will meet the market condition when the closing Class A common stock price is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days within five years of the Closing Date. An additional one-third will vest when the Class A common stock is greater than or equal to $15.00 over the same measurement period. The final one-third will vest when the Class A common stock is greater than or equal to $17.50 over the same measurement period.
Earnout Shares that are attributable to WUP profits interests and restricted interests require continued employment as of the date on which each of the Earnout Share market conditions are met. As of March 31, 2022 forfeitures of Earnout Shares were not material.
The grant-date fair value of the Earnout Shares attributable to the holders of WUP profits interests and restricted interests, using a Monte Carlo simulation model, was $57.9 million. The derived service period began on the Closing Date and is a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.
Based on the Class A common stock trading price the market conditions were not met, and no Earnout Shares vested as of March 31, 2022. Compensation expense for Earnout Shares recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $9.5 million and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to Earnout Shares was $30.4 million as of March 31, 2022 and is expected to be recognized over 1.0 years.
Treasury Stock
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, 1,682,380 shares, with a market value of $6.1 million, or $3.63 per share, were withheld to settle employee taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock and were added to treasury stock.
14. NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
MIP LLC is a single purpose entity formed for the purpose of administering and effectuating the award of WUP profits interests to employees, consultants and other qualified persons. Wheels Up is the sole managing member of MIP LLC and, as a result, consolidates the financial results of MIP LLC. We record non-controlling interests representing the ownership interest in MIP LLC held by other members of MIP LLC. In connection with the Business Combination, the Seventh Amended and Restated LLC Agreement was adopted, allowing members of MIP LLC, subject to certain restrictions, to exchange their vested WUP profits interests for cash or a corresponding number of shares of Class A common stock, at the option of Wheels Up, based on the value of such WUP profits interests relative to their applicable participation threshold.
The decision of whether to exchange WUP profits interests for cash or Class A common stock is made solely at the discretion of Wheels Up. Accordingly, the WUP profits interests held by MIP LLC are treated as permanent equity and changes in the ownership interest of MIP LLC are accounted for as equity transactions. Future exchanges of WUP profits interests will reduce the amount recorded as non-controlling interests and increase additional paid-in-capital on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The calculation of non-controlling interests is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Number of LLC common units held by Wheels Up(1) | 244,228,921 | | | 99.6 | % | | 245,834,569 | | | 99.2 | % |
Number of vested WUP profits interests attributable to non-controlling interests(2) | 1,050,687 | | | 0.4 | % | | 2,045,995 | | | 0.8 | % |
Total LLC common units and vested WUP profits interests outstanding | 245,279,608 | | | 100.0 | % | | 247,880,564 | | | 100.0 | % |
(1) LLC common units represent an equivalent ownership of Class A common stock outstanding.
(2) Based on the closing price of Class A common stock on the last trading day of the period, there would be 4,069,136 LLC common units issuable upon conversion of vested and unvested WUP profits interests outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
Weighted average ownership percentages are used to allocate net loss to Wheels Up and the non-controlling interest holders. The non-controlling interests weighted average ownership percentage was 0.4% and 8.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
15. RELATED PARTIES
We engage in transactions with certain stockholders who are also members, ambassadors or customers. Such transactions primarily relate to their membership in the Wheels Up program, flights and flight-related services.
We incurred expenses of $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, from transactions related to a commercial cooperation agreement with our stockholder Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”), of which $4.6 million and $5.3 million are included in accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. In addition, we provided $0.9 million and $0.7 million of flights to certain persons currently and previously affiliated with Delta at a discount to our retail pricing for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Delta provided Wheels Up Private Jet pilots airfare for business travel at no cost during the periods presented. We incurred expenses of $0.1 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, for an aircraft leased from the company of a stockholder.
We recognized revenue of $1.4 million and $0.4 million for flights and other services, including aircraft management, provided to Board members for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We
incurred expenses of $24 thousand and $23 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, with the company of a stockholder for consultation services on employee benefits. We incurred expenses of $0 and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for an immediate family member of a Wheels Up executive and a member of the Board who was a full-time employee. We incurred marketing expenses of $0.3 million and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, with a company where a member of the Board is an executive.
16. NET LOSS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Numerator: | | | |
Net loss attributable to Wheels Up Experience Inc. - basic and diluted | $ | (88,653) | | | $ | (29,409) | |
Denominator: | | | |
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic and diluted | 244,610 | | | 168,846 | |
Basic and diluted net loss per share of Class A common stock | $ | (0.36) | | | $ | (0.17) | |
There were no dividends declared or paid for the three months ended March 31, 2022 or 2021.
Basic and diluted net loss per share were computed using the two-class method. Shares of unvested restricted stock are considered participating securities because these awards contain a non-forfeitable right to participate equally in any dividends prior to forfeiture of the restricted stock, if any, irrespective of whether the awards ultimately vest. All issued and outstanding shares of restricted stock are included in the weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding.
WUP profits interests held by other members of MIP LLC are not subject to the net loss per share calculation until such time the WUP vested profits interests are actually exchanged for shares of Class A common stock.
The following securities were not included in the computation of diluted shares outstanding because the effect would be anti-dilutive, or issuance of such shares is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions which were not satisfied by the end of the period:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Warrants | 12,521,494 | | | — | |
Earnout Shares | 9,000,000 | | | — | |
RSUs | 15,633,060 | | | — | |
Stock options | 16,193,621 | | | 16,253,862 | |
Total anti-dilutive securities | 53,348,175 | | | 16,253,862 | |
17. INCOME TAXES
We are subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes with respect to our allocable share of any taxable income or loss of Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC, as well as any standalone income or loss Wheels Up generates. Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and most applicable state and local income tax purposes and generally does not pay income taxes in most jurisdictions. Instead, any taxable
income or loss generated by Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC is passed through to and included in the taxable income or loss of its members, including Wheels Up.
We recorded income tax expense of $0 for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. The effective tax rate was 0.0% for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022, differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets where it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. For the periods prior to the Business Combination, there is no income tax expense recorded as Wheels Up Partners Holdings LLC, as a partnership, is not subject to U.S. federal and most applicable state and local income taxes.
We evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis and establish valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of its deferred tax assets may not be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies. As of March 31, 2022, we concluded, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, that it is more likely than not that the deferred assets will not be realized. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been established.
18. WARRANTS
Prior to the Business Combination, Aspirational issued 7,991,544 Public Warrants and 4,529,950 Private Warrants. Upon the Closing Date, Wheels Up assumed the warrants. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The Public Warrants and Private Warrants became exercisable on September 25, 2021, which was 12 months from the closing of the Aspirational initial public offering, and expire five years from the completion of the Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
In connection with the Business Combination, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 that was declared effective by the SEC on August 24, 2021, as amended by post-effective amendment, effective March 21, 2022. This Registration Statement relates to the issuance of an aggregate of 12,521,494 shares of Class A common stock underlying the Public Warrants and Private Warrants. As of March 31, 2022, there have not been any warrants exercised and 12,521,494 remain outstanding.
19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 1, 2022, we acquired Air Partner plc (“Air Partner”), a United Kingdom-based international aviation services group with operations in 18 locations across four continents. The total purchase price for Air Partner was $107.0 million, which was paid in cash. This acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination, and given the recent date of the acquisition, we have not finalized the determination of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.