Matt C Kahn

Title
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Email
Department
Department of Aeronautics
College
College of Aviation

Areas of Expertise

Air Carrier Operations, System Operations Control, Operational Control, Operations Management, Operations Performance, Operations Analysis, Operations Analytics, Aircraft Performance, Aircraft Dispatch, Project Management, Leadership, Corporate Strategy

​Matthew C. Kahn is the Vice President of Operations Performance at Wheels Up, the largest Part 135 and publicly traded on-demand provider revolutionizing private aviation. He leads a cross-functional team overseeing analytics, project management, strategy, integration and performance improvement for the entire operations function: flight operations, maintenance, member operations center, scheduling and fulfillment and safety. At its peak, this operation encompassed 6 Air Carrier Certificates, over 340 aircraft, over 1000 employees, over 7 locations nationwide and over 400 daily flight operations. 

Before that role, he was Director of Enterprise Operations Strategy & Analytics at Wheels Up and the Director of Corporate Strategy and Innovation at Delta Private Jets, a former wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. There, he analyzed corporate, divisional and departmental performance and created strategic plans to improve customer experience, reduce costs, grow revenue and improve profitability across company lines. He also served as project leader and program manager for major corporate initiatives and new product launches. He ensured that technology, innovation, processes, training and analytics aligned with and supported the overall Corporate strategy.

He also served as the Director of the Operations and Client Center (OCC) there and was responsible for the strategic vision and direction of the center, as well as all Flight Control, Crew Scheduling and Client Services Services operations and a staff of nearly 30 operational employees. He was also responsible for all fleet operations, including 14 CFR 135 regulatory compliance, aircraft performance, weather planning, logistical planning, and immediate-needs aircraft scheduling, as well as overseeing, directing and maintaining the entire daily air carrier operation. He joined Delta Private Jets as Manager of Flight Control in December 2012.

Before that, he was a Manager and Flight Operations Analyst at Frontier Airlines’ System Operations Control Center in Indianapolis, IN. He was the SOC manager responsible for all domestic, international, and charter market new service feasibility evaluations, allowable payload studies, block time planning and new route creation. He served as the primary backup to the Dispatch Manager. He served as Acting Dispatch Manager during November and December of 2012. He remained both SOC Shift Manager qualified and current, providing relief coverage to the position with oversight and direct command of the entire nationwide and international daily airline operation, as well as 14 CFR 121 Aircraft Dispatcher qualified and current, with experience in Airbus A318, A319 and A320 aircraft flight planning in domestic and international operations.

Matt began his airline career at regional Comair, Inc., and was Duty Manager, System Operations from 2010 to 2012. He was a member of the Comair Management team and had management oversight of all System Operations Control Center functions for the airline, including Dispatch, Customer Service and Flight Control, as well as those employees performing those functions. He was also responsible for all Dispatch-related training and evaluation functions. He managed a staff of nearly 40 people, including Dispatchers, Lead Dispatchers, Check Dispatchers and Flight Controllers. He was also the Manager-In-Charge (MIC) of Comair’s daily airline operation and has over 10,000 hours of direct airline operation command experience. He has served in various other SOCC functions in Crew Scheduling and Dispatch at Comair and remained a fully qualified Aircraft Dispatcher, Check Dispatcher, Dispatch Instructor, and Air Transportation Supervisor.

Matt holds Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Aeronautical Science with honors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His graduate specializations included Aviation Education and Management and an undergraduate minor in Aviation Safety. He holds the unique distinction of having attended all campuses of ERAU during his five years as a student, - starting in Prescott, AZ, graduating from Daytona Beach, FL, and attending the Worldwide Campus (Cincinnati Center and Online) for his Master’s Degree. Matt obtained his Master of Business Administration degree at Xavier University’s Williams College of Business in 2011. He is also an adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Campus and Kent State University’s Master of Science in Aviation Management And Logistics program. He is also an FAA-Designated Aircraft Dispatcher Examiner for the Cincinnati Flight Standards District Office.

Holding FAA certifications as an Aircraft Dispatcher, Commercial Pilot, and Remote Pilot, Matt is also a Certified Flight and Ground Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, and IGI) and serves as a mentor for aviation students interested in a career in dispatch and airline flight operations. The renter of a Garmin G1000-equipped Cessna 182, he flies for recreational and travel purposes with friends and family. He is also an avid photographer interested in reading, writing and various fitness-related activities. A Northern Kentucky native, he resides in Burlington, Kentucky.

  • M.A.S. - Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Aerospace Management and Aviation/Aerospace Education, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration, Xavier University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science: Aviation Safety and Aviation Studies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Remote Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Flight Instructor - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Aircraft Dispatcher - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Ground Instructor - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Commercial Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • ASCI 491: Oper'l Apps in Aeronautics
  • ASCI 602: The Air Transportation System

ASCI 202 - Introduction to Aeronautical Science
ASCI 491 - Operational Applications in Aeronautics
ASCI 602 - The Air Transportation System
ASCI 620 - Air Carrier Operations

Vice President of Performance, Wheels Up 7/22 - Present
Director of Enterprise Operations Strategy & Analytics, Wheels Up 08/21 - 7/22
Director of Performance & Fleet Reliability, Wheels Up 03/20 - 08/21
Director of Corporate Strategy & Innovation, Delta Private Jets, Inc. 06/17 - 03/20
Director of the Operations and Client Center (OCC), Delta Private Jets, Inc. 03/15 - 06/17
Manager of Flight Control, Delta Private Jets, Inc. 12/12 - 03/15
Acting Dispatch Manager, Frontier Airlines 11/12 - 12/12
Flight Operations Analyst, Frontier Airlines 07/12 - 11/12
Duty Manager, System Operations, Comair, Inc. 05/10 - 07/12
Flight Controller, Comair, Inc. 09/06 - 05/10
Adjunct Professor, ERAU, 07/07 - Present
​Part-Time Faculty, Kent State College of Aeronautics & Engineering, 2019 - Present
Lead Instructor, Airline Ground Schools Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Program 08/06 - 02/10
FAA Designated Aircraft Dispatcher Examiner, Cincinnati FSDO, 10/11- Present
Varied and diversified experience in Part 135 and 121 Dispatch, Crew Scheduling, Training, Operations Analytics, Operations Performance, and various other System Operations Control Center (SOCC) functions.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
National Association of Flight Instructors