Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, London, and More United Airlines Celebrates the Christmas Season with Fantasy Flights and Make-A-Wish: New Updates You Need To Know – Travel And Tour World

The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and magical experiences, and this year, United Airlines is taking the spirit of Christmas to new heights. Ahead of what is expected to be the busiest travel period of the year, United has announced the launch of its newest seasonal hub – the “North Pole” (JOY).

In a heartwarming initiative, United will transport deserving children and their families to the North Pole, with direct “Fantasy Flights” departing from 13 airports worldwide. These special flights are designed to create unforgettable memories, bringing a touch of holiday magic to children and their loved ones.

United’s Fantasy Flights offer customized, local experiences for pre-selected families. Passengers will board a United aircraft and embark on a short journey to Santa’s legendary hometown. After their flight or a festive ground experience, the children will arrive at a transformed airport gate or maintenance hangar, which is magically turned into a winter wonderland. Thanks to the efforts of United airport employees and local volunteers, these locations will be adorned with twinkling lights, sparkling Christmas trees, and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus himself and his merry elves.

This year, United will transport families on Fantasy Flights departing from 13 cities around the world, including Cleveland, Chicago-O’Hare, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Guam, Honolulu, Houston Bush, London, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Washington-Dulles. Additionally, United Express-operated airports will host Fantasy Flights for children and families across the system.

Fantasy Flight Schedule for 2024:

• 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

Through these festive flights, United is bringing a new level of holiday cheer, ensuring that the children aboard these flights will experience the magic of the North Pole firsthand. With its heartwarming initiative, United Airlines is spreading joy and creating lasting memories for families around the globe this holiday season.

“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,” said United’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Kate Gebo. “We’ve stocked up on de-icing fluid to fly from even more cities. United is honored to uplift children and their families through the joy of the holiday season. 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.”

Each year, Santa and his elves—alongside United team members—volunteer their time to create the magic of Fantasy Flights across the airline’s global network. By partnering with local nonprofits and hospitals, United helps to craft unforgettable experiences for children and their families, ensuring that each child has the chance to make joyful memories during the holiday season.

This year, United Airlines is once again joining forces with Make-A-Wish® to grant the wishes of children facing critical illnesses. Selected children will be flown on Fantasy Flights from five cities: Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, and Guam. Through this partnership, Make-A-Wish® and United work together to bring joy and hope to children who need it most.

For those looking to support children in need this holiday season, United is making it easier than ever to contribute. In honor of Giving Tuesday, the airline is inviting customers to donate miles or money through December 31, 2024. United will match up to 5 million miles and monetary donations of up to $500,000, which will be used to purchase travel certificates, doubling the impact of every donation to help grant more life-changing wishes.

Additionally, illy coffee is supporting this charitable effort throughout December. For every cold brew sold on United flights, illy will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to a total of $25,000. This partnership further extends the reach of the campaign, bringing smiles to even more children in need.

Through these efforts, United and its partners are ensuring that the magic of the season reaches children and families who need it most, spreading joy and making wishes come true.

“The generosity of United and its MileagePlus members through the Miles on a Mission program is life-changing for wish kids and their families,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “These donated miles enable transformative wish experiences that bring hope, joy, and the strength to persevere during the most challenging times. We are deeply grateful for United’s ongoing partnership and dedication to making a lasting impact in the lives of children with critical illnesses.”

The Fantasy Flights program is a heartwarming chapter in United’s ongoing Good Leads The Way® brand campaign, which showcases how the world’s largest airline brings joy and support to children in need. Through these special flights, United continues to demonstrate its commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of families across the globe.

In this latest installment of the award-winning campaign, United highlights how its vast network and dedicated team work together to create moments of magic for those who need it most. The Fantasy Flights program is a testament to United’s ability to connect people with meaningful experiences, regardless of where they are in the world.

This chapter emphasizes that United’s network is designed with passengers in mind, offering the greatest flexibility and an array of travel options to ensure that families can reach their destinations with ease. By leading with heart and kindness, United continues to make a difference in the lives of countless individuals, proving that good truly leads the way.