United this month is once again offering special flights to the “North Pole” for deserving children.
“Fantasy Flights” bring children and their families to United’s seasonal hub at the North Pole – in fact a local gate or hangar decked out to resemble Santa Claus’ famous workshop and home. Airline employees volunteer their time to operate and staff the flights and the North Pole locations, dressing them up with lights, ribbons, Christmas trees, and holiday characters.
The special trips are already underway, having started on Dec. 2, and will continue through Dec. 19.
United coordinates with local nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation to offer seats to children.
This year, United is operating Fantasy Flights from 12 airports in the U.S. – including Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco, Denver, and Newark, New Jersey – as well as Guam, Tokyo Narita, and London Heathrow.
Since 2022, the carrier has staged over 50 Fantasy Flights and transported over 6,000 children.
