Many of the children have serious health issues and this fantasy plane ride from United Airlines was a dream come true for them, reported AP News.
The plane was decorated with streamers, snowflakes and flight personal went up and down the aisles with a bubble machine to the shouts of the happy children. Holiday music was played and there were snacks for the kids and their parents.
The 45-minute took off and landed at the Denver International Airport where it was towed to a hangar that was transformed by United employees and volunteers into a fantasy North Pole. Just before landing, the children were instructed to close their window shades so that they could be surprised by Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a host of elves when they arrived.
Going toThe North Pole
The children who were chosen by Make-A-Wish Colorado, Girls Inc., Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association were delighted to visit the North Pole and take in all that was offered from ice cream trucks to gifts galore.
“The North Pole is fun because there’s games, food, and all the activities are really fun,” Bruse Bosley, 6, told AP.
But this was far from the first fantasy flight, United has been staging these fantasy flights for 30 years to bring holiday cheer to the kids and their families. “It gives them a day where they are away from some of the challenges they face in their day-to-day life,” said Jonna McGrath, United’s vice president for operations at its Denver hub, who was dressed as an elf. This was her 29th flight.
Fantasy Flights
In 2024, United ran fantasy flights from 13 airports – United Airlines global network locations – around the world, according to a press release from the company. This included airports in Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, Newark, Houston, Washington, Ft Lauderdale, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Guam, London, and Tokyo. Donations of miles or money to help bring holiday joy.
Santa and his elves – led by United team members and community volunteers – build and staff these flights to help make special memories for the children and their parents. But it is also very meaningful for those people who make this happen every year.
“Throughout the year I’ll think of the fantasy flight,” United captain Bob Zimmermann, the Denver flight’s pilot,told AP. “When life seems to get tough or I want to complain about something, I remember these kids and the joy and the love and what this feels like, and it just keeps my life in perspective.”
