NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Wheels Up, the revolutionary membership-based private aviation company, will kick off its #WheelsUpGoesPink campaign as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the debut of the first-ever pink Beechcraft King Air 350i. Textron Aviation officially handed over the keys to the plane on August 28th at their Wichita facility. This initiative represents an unprecedented event in the world of private aviation and the Pink Plane will mark the 45th aircraft in the Wheels Up fleet.
In October, Wheels Up Members will be invited to a private unveiling of the Pink Plane, hosted by Kenny Dichter, Founder and CEO of Wheels Up, in celebration of the October launch of the Company’s ongoing commitment to the Dubin Breast Center of the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai in New York City, one of the world’s most renowned and advanced facilities for breast cancer treatment and research. The Pink Plane will remain in the Wheels Up fleet indefinitely.
Beginning October 1st Wheels Up will implement a Fly-a-thon inviting current members, and the general public, to contribute to the Dubin Breast Center, in an amount of their choice, for every Pink Plane revenue hour flown throughout October 1, 2015–September 30, 2016 (up to a maximum of 600 revenue hours) and\or to make a one-time donation in any dollar amount. Wheels Up will also donate a portion of the membership fee for each membership purchased during the month of October 2015.
“All of us at Wheels Up are committed to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Our Pink Plane will serve as a symbol to create conversation and to fund the invaluable work of Dr. Elisa Port and the entire team at the Dubin Breast Center,” said Dichter. “Just the way Wheels Up has transformed private aviation, our goal is to create an innovative way to inspire and support breast cancer awareness, screening, research and, ultimately, find a cure.”
“It is our honor to be the recipients of the Wheels Up Pink Plane campaign, and the money raised will contribute to furthering research in breast cancer and the extraordinary care we give to women regardless of their socioeconomic background,” said Elisa Port, MD, FACS, Co-Director of the Dubin Breast Center and Chief of Breast Surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
“We are so happy to be a part of Kenny Dichter’s and the Wheels Up Team’s vision and ingenious efforts. The Pink Plane is truly amazing and a symbol of hope and optimism for all women and men affected by breast cancer.”
For additional information on Wheels Up and #WheelsUpGoesPink, please visit www.WheelsUp.com.
About Wheels Up
Wheels Up is a revolutionary membership-based private aviation company that significantly reduces the upfront cost to fly privately, while providing unparalleled flexibility, service and safety. Created and led by Kenny Dichter, the Founder of Marquis Jet and innovator of the 25-hour fractional jet card, Wheels Up offers “mission-appropriate” aircraft with guaranteed availability on its “members-only” private fleet of new King Air 350i and Citation Excel/XLS aircraft. Operating with an 8760 culture (24 hours a day, 365 days of the year), the Company offers individual, family and corporate members exceptional world-class service with around the clock support. The cutting-edge Wheels Up mobile app enables members to seamlessly book flights, manage their accounts, and participate in ride share opportunities to maximize the value of the Wheels Up membership experience. Wheels Up Members also have access to the Wheels Down program, featuring exclusive lifestyle events and experiences, unique partner benefits and a full-service luxury concierge, which is also integrated in the Wheels Up app.
Wheels Up acts as agent for the Wheels Up members, and is not the operator of the program aircraft; FAA licensed and DOT registered air carriers participating in the program exercise full operational control of the program aircraft. Any aircraft owned or leased by Wheels Up are dry leased to the operating air carrier to facilitate operations by that carrier. For additional information, please visit www.WheelsUp.com.
About The Dubin Breast Center of the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital
The Dubin Breast Center provides a multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach to breast cancer screening, treatment and survivorship. The 15,000-square-foot facility houses a full range of services, including cancer screening and biopsies, cancer treatment including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, wellness, patient and family support services, education, genetic counseling and testing, onco-fertility services, access to clinical trials, and survivorship support. Patients receive highly personalized, multidisciplinary care in a calming, private, and supportive setting. The Dubin Breast Center offers state-of-the-art diagnostics, including 3-D mammography, and minimally invasive diagnostic procedures.
