United Airlines is spreading holiday cheer through its “Fantasy Flights,” a special initiative to provide a magical journey to the “North Pole” where children can meet Santa Claus. These flights depart from 13 cities across the world, including Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo, targeting children in distress, either battling cancer or having someone close in uniform killed on active duty.
It is beginning in Honolulu on Saturday, December 7, where pilot of Flight 3894 proclaimed: “Santa has invited us to Christmas Island, and all his elves are waiting there on the ground for us.” Those short flights return to their original departure points but as children land, they are led into a transformed space — a festive North Pole built by United staff and volunteers. Twinkling lights, sparkling Christmas trees, and holiday displays await the young travelers, along with Santa Claus, his elves, and a wonderland of holiday activities.
United’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources Kate Gebo expressed her pride over the initiative. She says, “We’re stocking up on de-icing fluid so we can take off from even more cities. United is humbled to be lifting up kids and their families in the magic of the holiday season. Making the North Pole a little closer than ever is one of the ways we’re showing support for communities that we live in, work in, and fly to.
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The program has garnered widespread praise on social media. One user commented, “That is the nicest, most heartwarming story. Thank you, United, for spreading true Christmas joy!” Another wrote, “What a wonderful experience for these children & families… ENJOY!” A third remarked, “Christmas is the season of miracles. Good on United to bring cheer to these kids.”
The schedule for these Fantasy Flights includes the following cities and dates:
- Honolulu (HNL) – December 5
- Washington-Dulles (IAD), Houston Bush (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), London (LHR), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), San Francisco (SFO) – December 7
- Tokyo (NRT) – December 8
- Cleveland (CLE), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – December 10
- Guam (GUM) – December 13
- Denver (DEN), Newark (EWR) – December 14
What United Airlines is doing is truly heartwarming, making the holidays memorable for children and families alike-a true spirit of the holiday season.
