United is offering free flights to the ‘North Pole’ for kids in need this Christmas: ‘Once-in-a-lifetime event’
It’s a Christmas miracle.
United Airlines is spreading holiday cheer by offering children in need “Fantasy Flights” to the “North Pole.”
The flights — which will depart from 13 cities around the world this month — will see the kids and their caretakers board a plane that will briefly take to the skies and circle around before landing at a gate decorated to look like Santa’s workshop.
One such “Fantasy Flight” occurred in Honolulu this week, bringing some smiles to those in need.
“Santa has invited us to Christmas Island and all his elves are waiting there on the ground for us,” the pilot of flight 3894, announced over the intercom, USA Today reports.
Really, the 125 pre-selected travelers — typically families that have children with cancer or who are grieving the loss of someone who died in active duty, per USA Today — were aboard a short flight that soared past Maui only to loop back around and land right where they started.
But, upon exiting the aircraft, children were transported to “Christmas Island,” home of the “North Pole.”
They were taken to a festive hanger at the airport made to look like the North Pole thanks to the helping hands of more than 150 United staff and volunteers.
There, they received a present from their Christmas wish list, played games, participated in activities and enjoyed a nice meal with their families.
“For some, it is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” Alex Wereszczynskyj, the development director at HUGS Hawaii, told USA Today.
The organization, which provides support for families whose child was diagnosed with a life-threatening sickness, partnered with United for the event.
“Many of our families are financially challenged because of medical bills, things like that, so they might not have a chance to take a trip this year,” he continued. “But this kind of fills in that gap, and who doesn’t want to go to the North Pole and see Santa?”
Lena Wong, a United customer service agent who has worked on “Fantasy Flights” for seven years, told USA Today that many of the kids at the event “have never even been on a plane.”
“They’re so amazed with the ride,” she said. “So many of the kids we impact, it’s amazing, they’re so strong.”
Tony Mailo, his wife Leslie Ann and their son Amadeus, who was diagnosed with cancer, were invited by HUGS to be on the flight, which Leslie Ann described as “amazing” and “magical.”
She praised the detailed decor, saying “a lot of thought was behind that, it was just beautiful. We’re so thankful.”
“There’s a lot of logistics that goes into it, and a lot of volunteers and man hours,” Wong explained.
“We’re very fortunate that we have a lot of wonderful volunteers who put in a lot of time and also their own money to help put this event together.”
This month, “Fantasy Flights” will take off from a dozen cities around the globe: Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Houston, Virginia, Tokyo, Guam and London.
