United Airlines Reveals Plans for 13 Fantasy Flights to the North Pole

Image: United employees don Christmas attire. (Photo Credit: United Airlines)
Image: United employees don Christmas attire. (Photo Credit: United Airlines)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 10:00 AM ET, Wed December 4, 2024

United Airlines is getting into the holiday spirit with plans for 13 Fantasy Flights to the North Pole this December.

The Chicago-based airline is partnering with Make-A-Wish to transport deserving children and their families to fictional North Poles—airport code JOY—at 13 airports, including Cleveland, Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Guam, Honolulu, Houston Bush, London, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington-Dulles.

Passengers will board their flight and take a short trip, either in the air or on the ground, before arriving at a festive airport gate or maintenance hangar created by United airport employees and local volunteers with the help of twinkling lights and sparkling Christmas trees as well as Santa Claus and his elves.

United's Fantasy Flights include:

  • 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

"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," United's Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Kate Gebo, said in a statement.

"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."

United MileagePlus members can donate miles or money to Make-A-Wish through December 31, 2024, and the airline will match up to 5 million miles total and match monetary donations of up to $500,000 total through travel certificates. What's more, illy coffee will donate $1 for each cold brew sold on United flights, up to $25,000, in support of the organization.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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