Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Wheels Up is adopting the enterprise version of the BrokerOS software developed by Surf Air Mobility to arrange private flights for charter customers. On Thursday, the aircraft operator announced it has agreed to be the launch customer for the system, which Surf Air has already deployed for its own flight-booking platform.
The system, which is based on Palantir Technologies’ Foundry and Artificial Intelligence Platform, will be used internally by Wheels Up to improve the workflow for booking flights. According to Surf Air, the system will integrate critical data sources to accelerate more informed decisions throughout the charter booking process, resulting in improved travel solutions for Wheels Up customers.
The initial two-year agreement can be extended to a third year. Surf Air Mobility, which operates an extensive network of scheduled short-haul flights and on-demand trips, is expected to receive at least $12 million in subscription fees.
According to Wheels Up, the new technology will support its efforts to achieve the highest levels of operational efficiency. The U.S. operator is <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-05-29/wheels-focused-fleet-growth-premium-services">rationalizing its fleet</a> to use a mix of Embraer Phenom 300 and Bombardier Challenger 300 jets, and is seeking to minimize cancellations and flight delays.
Wheels Up will replace multiple existing software platforms underpinning its operations to free up “engineering and operational capacity to focus on higher-value initiatives” that improve the customer experience and increase its booking lead conversion rates. The company said the investment will streamline aircraft sourcing, quote generation, flight bookings, and customer relationship management.
<h2>Right Aircraft at the Right Time</h2>
The platform will also be used to consolidate aircraft availability between the core Wheels Up fleet and jets provided for its customers by third-party operators. According to Surf Air Mobility, it will also automate manual workflows to allow brokers to manage more transactions and give Wheels Up real-time business intelligence about the charter market.
“This partnership is a defining step in solidifying Wheels Up as the most customer-centric, AI-forward, and operationally excellent company in private aviation,” Wheels Up CEO George Mattson commented. “By combining Wheels Up’s scale, brand, and aviation expertise with Surf Air Mobility’s transformative aviation software and Palantir’s leadership in AI, we are setting a new standard for how private aviation is sold, operated, and experienced. This technology is a competitive advantage in the marketplace, not a back-office function.”
BrokerOS uses the Palantir Ontology platform to process fragmented data sources to fit the user’s operational needs. According to Surf Air Mobility co-founder Liam Fayed, the Los Angeles-based company developed the software to “solve the specific complexities of private aviation” and has achieved significant value from applying it to its own on-demand charter business.

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