Children fly to meet Santa at North Pole in a revamped hangar at Denver airport

DENVER — A group of children in Denver had an exciting day when they boarded a plane decked out for the North Pole. The pilot thrilled the kids by announcing their special destination for the day.

Over 100 kids, including some with serious health conditions, enjoyed a 45-minute flight near Denver. They landed back at the Denver International Airport and were then taken to a hangar magically transformed into the North Pole by United Airlines staff and volunteers.

The plane and seats were adorned with streamers, paper snowflakes, and cotton designed to look like snow. Excited shouts of “bubbles, bubbles, bubbles” filled the air as flight crew members brought a bubble machine down the aisle. To add to the festive atmosphere, holiday songs played, and apple snacks and juice were provided for all the children.

Before landing, the children were asked to close their window shades. When they opened, the kids were met by the sight of a waiting Santa and Mrs. Claus and a host of elves. An ice cream truck was on hand and the children received gifts.

Bryce Bosley, 6, was tickled to see Santa and all the North Pole had to offer.

“The North Pole is fun because there’s games, food, and all the activities are really fun,” he said.

United Capt. Bob Zimmermann, the holiday flight’s pilot, was struck by the joy and wonder of the youngsters.

“Throughout the year I’ll think of the fantasy flight,” he said. “When life seems to get tough or I want to complain about something, I remember these kids and the joy and the love and what this feels like, and it just keeps my life in perspective.”

United partnered with Make-A-Wish Colorado, Girls Inc., Children’s Hospital Colorado and Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association to invite Denver-area kids ages 3 to 10 years on the flight.

For more than 30 years, United has staged its annual “fantasy flights” to fictional North Poles at airports around the world to bring holiday cheer to children and their families.

This year they took place in 13 cities, starting Dec. 5 in Honolulu and then in Washington, Houston, Los Angeles, London, Chicago, San Francisco, Tokyo, Cleveland and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and on the island of Guam. Newark, New Jersey, also had a flight Saturday.

Jonna McGrath, United’s vice president for operations at its Denver hub, has participated in 29 flights and said it is one of her favorite days of the year.

“It gives them a day where they are away from some of the challenges they face in their day-to-day life,” said McGrath, who was dressed as an elf. “Bringing a little magic and some gifts to their holiday season is something they’ll never forget.”