The captain communicated a flight change to passengers via intercom on Thursday afternoon, but the travellers maintained their composure at the cryptic information.
“Santa has invited us to Christmas Island and all his elves are waiting there on the ground for us,” the pilot said. The announcement was received with jubilant clapping from all aboard.
United Airlines flight 3894, en route from Honolulu International Airport to the North Pole, transported passengers and crew, some dressed in holiday clothing.
“There are so many little kids that have never even been on a plane,” said Lena Wong, a United customer service agent who planned this year’s effort and has been involved in Hawaii’s Fantasy Flights since 2017 to USA Today.
“They’re so amazed with the ride, and then especially coming here, I think some of them think that they’re actually gone to like Christmas. So many of the kids we impact, it’s amazing, they’re so strong.”
This flight initiated United Airlines’ Fantasy Flights programme, consisting of 13 distinctive flights intended to deliver seasonal joy to chosen families, specifically those with children grieving the loss of a service member or supporting a child with cancer. The programme was organised alongside local hospitals and charitable groups who helped select appropriate families.
The short flights took families on a southeastern path past Maui before returning to their departure point. After landing, youngsters were escorted to a specially adorned hangar at Honolulu airport, which United staff, retired employees and volunteers had converted into a festive North Pole environment.
The Fantasy Flight hosted roughly 125 children and their adult companions at Honolulu International Airport. Activities commenced at check-in, where participants obtained genuine printed tickets bearing the airport code JOY and had their “passport photographs” captured. They were greeted by people costumed as Disney princesses, alongside Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
According to USA Today, over the next week, United’s other Fantasy Flights will offer similar experiences for kids and their families at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Ohio, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, San Francisco International Airport in California, Tokyo Narita International Airport and Washington-Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
