Flight takes kids to visit Santa at North Pole scene in transformed Denver airport hangar
More than 100 kids have been treated to an airplane flight and visit to a hangar at Denver International Airport that was transformed into the North Pole
DENVER — Dozens of kids cheered on a festively decked-out plane in Denver on Saturday when the pilot announced their destination for the day: the North Pole.
More than 100 children, some of whom have serious health issues, were then taken on a roughly 45-minute flight near the city before landing back at Denver International Airport and being towed to a hangar transformed by United Airlines employees and volunteers into the North Pole.
Streamers, paper snowflakes and tufts of cotton resembling feathery snow dotted the plane and seats. Flight personnel paraded a bubble machine up and down the aisle to shouts of “bubbles, bubbles, bubbles” from the excited children. Holiday songs played in the background and there were apple snacks and juice for all.
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.,
Read more on abcnews.go.com
