More than 100 children, some battling serious illnesses, were full of holiday cheer over the weekend when they boarded a plane decked out with the most festive of decorations to the North Pole. According to the AP, the plane departing from Denver International Airport took a 45 minute flight near the city before the children were told to close their shades as they landed back at the airport and entered a hanger transformed by United Airlines employees and volunteers into the magical North Pole.
“Streamers, paper snowflakes and tufts of cotton resembling feathery snow dotted the plane and seats. Flight personnel paraded a bubble machine up and down the aisle to shouts of ‘bubbles, bubbles, bubbles’ from the excited children. Holiday songs played in the background and there were apple snacks and juice for all,” the AP reports.
When the kids opened their shades, they looked upon the spectacular North Pole where they were greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus alongside numerous elves. As the children enjoyed games and their visit with Santa, they also enjoyed treats, including those from an ice cream truck, and they received gifts right from the location of Santa’s workshop itself.
United Captain Bob Zimmermann, the holiday flight’s pilot, shared how special the heartwarming experience was and his joy at being able to be a part of it. The kids all cheered for joy when he announced their destination was the North Pole.
“Throughout the year I’ll think of the fantasy flight,” he said. “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.”
The “fantasy flight” was made possible thanks to United Airlines’ partnership with Make-A-Wish Colorado, Girls Inc., Children’s Hospital Colorado and Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association to make a dream for kids in the Denver-area ages 3-10 come true at the most magical time of year.
According to the AP, United Airlines has been hosting “fantasy flights” annually for more than 30 years at “North Pole” destinations around the country. This year, 13 cities participated in the “fantasy flight” program including Honolulu, Washington, Houston, Los Angeles, London, Chicago, San Francisco, Tokyo, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Newark and the island of Guam in addition to Denver.
Jonna McGrath, United’s vice president for operations at its Denver location who has participated in 29 flights, said that it is her favorite day of the year when children who are battling illnesses are given the chance to forget about their challenges and enjoy the magic of the holiday season through an experience they’ll always treasure.
