US-based United Airlines is spreading Christmas cheer by offering free ‘Fantasy Flights’ to children in need to the ‘North Pole’ to see Santa Claus. The flights depart from 13 cities, including Los Angeles, London and Tokyo. One of the first “Fantasy Flights” took off from Honolulu on Saturday (December 7), bringing smiles to the faces of those in need. “Santa Claus has invited us to Christmas Island and all his elves are waiting for us on the ground,” the pilot of Flight 3894 announced over the intercom.
Families with children with cancer or who have been orphaned by the loss of someone on active duty are brought aboard a short flight that returns and lands exactly where they started. However, upon leaving, the children are transported to Santa’s birthplace, the ‘North Pole’ – an imaginative winter wonderland created by United Airport employees and local volunteers who ‘transform an average airport gate or maintenance hangar into a sea of twinkling lights, sparkling Christmas’ . trees and Santa Claus himself – along with his elves.”
“We’ve stocked up on de-icing fluid to fly from even more cities. United is honored to help children and their families share the joy of the holidays. Bringing the North Pole closer than ever is one of the many ways we can do that showing support for the communities where we live, work and fly,” said Kate Gebo, United’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources.
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The Internet responds
Social media users praised United Airlines’ move, calling it a heartwarming gesture that would mean a lot to the children.
“That is the most beautiful and heartwarming story. Thank you United for spreading real Christmas joy!” said one user, while another added: “What an amazing experience for these kids and families… ENJOY!”
A third commented: “Christmas is the time of miracles. Good for United for cheering these kids up.”
Flight schedule:
- Honolulu (HNL) December 5
- Washington-Dulles (IAD) December 7
- Houston Bush (IAH) December 7
- Los Angeles (LAX) December 7
- London (LHR) December 7
- Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) December 7
- San Francisco (SFO) December 7
- Tokyo (NRT) December 8
- Cleveland (CLE) December 10
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) December 10
- Guam (GUM) December 13
- Denver (DEN) December 14
- Newark (EWR) December 14