Up & Away Aviation Services

What Up & Away Aviation Services does

Up & Away Aviation Services is a UK-based aviation detailing company that delivers interior and exterior valeting, polishing, and cleaning services to private jet, commercial airline, and helicopter operators. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Farnborough, the company operates a mobile service model in which trained, security-cleared detailers dispatch from fully equipped, self-sufficient vehicles to any UK airport, eliminating the need for customer-provided infrastructure. The service portfolio spans Exterior Valet (post-flight wipe-downs, full washes, polish, paint compounding, sealant application using manufacturer-recommended products including Granatize, Nuvite, Aero Cosmetics, and Xzilon), Interior Valet (vacuuming, upholstery and carpet cleaning, leather care, cockpit detailing), Bright Work Polishing (engine intakes, leading edges, window surrounds via multi-stage machine polishing), Aircraft Disinfection and Disinsection (WHO-compliant fogging and alcohol-free biocidal treatments meeting European Standards), and Special Services (leather repair, cabin fit-out, decals, laundry).

The company sells through a direct-to-customer, quote-based transactional model with no subscription or recurring component. Customers submit requests via an online form specifying aircraft type, registration, location, and required services, and pricing is determined per engagement. The customer base is segmented horizontally across private jet operators (Cessna, Gulfstream, Dassault, Hawker Beechcraft), commercial airlines (Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer), and helicopter operators (Augusta, Eurocopter). Since July 2023, Up & Away has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unifi, a multi-brand aviation services platform. The company holds ISO 9001 accreditation (Certificate Number 24002) and emphasizes the use of OEM-recommended products, including Xzilon paint sealant endorsed by Boeing, Gulfstream, Dassault, and Bombardier.

Name

Up & Away Aviation Services

Legal name

Up & Away Aviation Services

Website

https://upandawayaviation.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Up & Away Aviation Services is a UK-based mobile aviation detailing company providing interior and exterior valeting, brightwork polishing, and WHO-compliant disinfection to private jet, commercial airline, and helicopter operators across UK airports. The company operates as a Unifi subsidiary since July 2023.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Detailing Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (48819)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Flight Operations Support (Cabin Logistics, Loading, Inventory) (THABAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Flight Comfort, Amenities & Cabin Supplies (Bedding, Kits, Headsets) (THABAMAE), Private Aviation Ground Support & Trip Services (Dispatch, Permits, Handling) (THABAFAK)

Keywords

• Aviation detailing services
• Aircraft valeting
• Aircraft exterior cleaning
• Aircraft interior valeting
• Aircraft disinfection treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Farnborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aviation Detailing Services: One-time transaction-based services for aircraft interior and exterior cleaning, valeting, and polishing. Services include post-flight wipe-downs, full washes, polish, compounding, disinfection, and specialized treatments. Revenue generated per aircraft serviced with no recurring subscription component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Up & Away Aviation Services provides a comprehensive range of mobile interior and exterior valeting and detailing services for private jets, commercial aircraft, and helicopters across UK airports. Services span exterior washing, polishing, paint compounding, and sealant application; interior cabin valeting including upholstery, carpet and leather care; brightwork polishing of engine intakes, leading edges, and surrounds; aircraft disinfection and disinsection treatments; and special services such as leather repair and cabin restocking. Delivery is by trained, security-cleared detailers from fully equipped, self-sufficient mobile vehicles.

Product overview

Up & Away Aviation Detailing provides a comprehensive suite of aviation cleaning and detailing services for private and commercial aircraft. The service portfolio includes Exterior Valet (post-flight wipe-downs, full washes, polishing, paint compounding, and sealant application), Interior Valet (vacuuming, upholstery/carpet cleaning, leather care, cockpit cleaning), Bright Work Polishing (engine intakes, leading edges, window surrounds), Aircraft Disinfection and Disinsection (WHO-compliant fogging and biocidal treatments), and Special Services (leather repair, cabin fit-out, vinyl decals). Services are delivered by trained detailers operating from fully equipped mobile vehicles at UK airports, covering aircraft from small business jets to large commercial aircraft including Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Cessna, Gulfstream, and helicopters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exterior Valet Full range of exterior aircraft cleaning solutions from post-flight wipe-downs to complete paint compounding, using approved aviation products including Granatize, Nuvite, Aero Cosmetics, and Xzilon sealants. Includes full external wash, polish, de-greasing, paint compounding, and sealant application for private and commercial aircraft.
• Interior Valet Meticulous interior care for aircraft cabins, including vacuuming, upholstery and carpet cleaning, spot and stain removal, deodorizing, leather cleaning, window and cockpit area cleaning, and optional re-stocking. Targeted at private and commercial aircraft operators seeking turnaround cleans or deep valets.
• Bright Work Polishing Multi-stage machine polishing for restoration of engine intakes, leading edges, window surrounds, windshield surrounds, thrust reversers, and tail pipes, applied to prevent oxidation and aluminum pitting and reduce long-term maintenance costs on aircraft brightwork.
• Aircraft Disinfection and Disinsection WHO-compliant treatments using aviation-approved products. Residual disinsection fogging provides insect protection for up to 8 weeks without crew or passengers on board, and alcohol-free biocidal disinfection eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, spores, and fungi including MRSA, Norovirus, and Ebola, meeting European Standards EN1276, EN13704, EN14476, EN1650, and EN1500.
• Special Services Tailored aircraft detailing services including leather repair, restoration and re-coloring, cabin stock fit-out, maintenance cleaning of wheel bays and components, supply and fitting of vinyl decals, and laundry services. Targeted at owners and operators needing add-on or restorative services beyond standard valeting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Residual disinsection provides up to 8 weeks of insect protection
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• UnififlagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023In July 2023, Up & Away Aviation Detailing was acquired by Unifi, further enhancing capabilities and expanding commitment to excellence across the aviation sector. Unifi is a major aviation services provider operating multiple brands including Prospect Airport Services and VIGGO. This acquisition provides Up & Away with expanded operational resources and corporate backing while maintaining its specialized aviation detailing focus.
• XziloncoreTechnology or IntegrationUp & Away uses Xzilon paint sealant, which is recommended by leading aircraft manufacturers including Boeing, Gulfstream, Dassault, and Bombardier. Xzilon is an aviation-grade paint sealant product used during exterior detailing and polishing services.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Swissport: Global leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, operating at 270+ airports. Comparable as a broad incumbent that could extend into specialized private aviation cleaning and detailing through its existing FBO and ground handling footprint.
• dnata: Major global air services provider (part of Emirates Group) offering ground handling, catering, and travel services across numerous airports. Comparable as a broad incumbent that bundles multiple aviation services and could enter the private detailing niche.
• Universal Aviation: Global FBO and ground services network for business aviation, offering trip support, handling, and ancillary services. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering cleaning-adjacent services across a global private aviation network.
• Jet Aviation: A General Dynamics company providing business aviation services including FBO, MRO, aircraft management, and charter worldwide. Comparable as a broad incumbent that delivers cabin services and detailing to private jet owners across its global network.
• Menzies Aviation: One of the world's largest aviation services providers offering ground handling, fueling, and ancillary services across 200+ airports. Operates as a broad incumbent that could easily extend into private aviation detailing, representing a potential competitor and acquirer of similar service lines.
• Signature Aviation: World's largest FBO network serving private aviation at 200+ locations. Comparable as a broad incumbent that provides cabin cleaning and detailing services as part of its FBO offering to private jet operators.

Direct peers

• Clay Lacy Aviation: US-based private aviation services company offering FBO, aircraft management, charter, and maintenance with associated detailing services. Comparable as a peer that delivers premium private aviation cleaning and cabin services at airport locations.
• GAT Airline Ground Support: US airline ground handling company offering ramp, cabin cleaning, and aircraft appearance services across multiple airports. Comparable as a direct peer providing mobile aircraft cleaning and turnaround services to commercial and private operators.
• TAG Aviation: Provider of business aviation services including aircraft management, FBO, maintenance, and charter. Comparable because it operates adjacent private aviation services at airports and provides cleaning/detailing to its managed fleet customers.
• Sharp Details: US-based aircraft detailing company providing interior and exterior valeting, brightwork polishing, and detailing services for private jets and commercial aircraft. Most directly comparable in service offering and customer base to Up & Away.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/unifiaviation
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnifiAviation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/up-away-aviation-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/unifiaviation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Up & Away Aviation Services