United Airlines is bringing holiday cheer for the month of December, offering flights to Make-A-Wish kids who have yearned to meet Santa Claus at the North Pole. These special journeys will take place at 13 airports from around the world from 5 through 14 of December.
The Chicago-based airline is also raising funds during the month of December which will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
United Announces North Pole Flights
United Airlines and the Make-A-Wish Foundation have partnered up for a festive collaboration. Make-A-Wish kids and their families around the world will get to board one of 13 ‘Fantasy Flights’ to the North Pole and meet Santa Claus and his elves.
The ‘Fantasy Flight’ involves a short trip, either on the ground or in the air. Each airport will create its own version of the North Pole with the help of local volunteers. United has contacted local nonprofit organizations and hospitals for chronic illness children who desire to meet Santa and have invited them for this special occasion.
The 13 airports that will participate in these fantasy flights are as follows:
| Airport | City | Fantasy Flight Date |
| Daniel K. Inouye International Airport | Honolulu, Hawaii | 5 December |
| Heathrow Airport | London, England | 7 December |
| George Bush Intercontinental Airport | Houston, Texas | 7 December |
| Los Angeles International Airport | Los Angeles, California | 7 December |
| Washington Dulles International Airport | Dulles, Virginia | 7 December |
| Chicago O’Hare International Airport | Chicago, Illinois | 7 December |
| San Francisco International Airport | San Francisco, California | 7 December |
| Narita International Airport | Tokyo, Japan | 8 December |
| Cleveland Hopkins International Airport | Cleveland, Ohio | 10 December |
| Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 10 December |
| Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport | Tamuning, Guam | 13 December |
| Denver International Airport | Denver, Colorado | 14 December |
| Newark Liberty International Airport | Newark, New Jersey | 14 December |
How United Travelers Can Give, this Christmas
United Airlines EVP of Human Resources and Labor Relations Kate Gebo shared comments on the collaboration for the holidays:
“The team made a list, I checked it twice and the answer was clear – with so many deserving children on the nice list this year, it only made sense to launch a seasonal hub in the North Pole…Making the North Pole closer than ever is one of the many ways we can show support for the communities where we live, work and fly.”
United Airlines members have the opportunity to either donate miles or money. The airline will donate a total of up to $500,000 through these donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. However, the deadline to donate is 2359 Central Standard Time on 31 December.
For those on board United flights throughout December, United will sell illy coffee. United will donate $1 for every cup of coffee sold, for up to $25,000 to Make-A-Wish.
