It’s that time of the year when holiday cheer fills the air, and at United Airlines they’ve taken that sentament literally! On Friday, Guam’s hometown airline teamed up with children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Children's Ark — along with their families — to show that giving to others is the reason for the season.

Over at the Guam International Airport, United Airlines transformed an ordinary travel day into something magical. Children and their families boarded a special ‘Fantasy Flight,’ taking off for a surprise destination filled with snow, lights, and even Santa himself. It’s all part of United’s global effort to bring holiday wonder to families who need it most.

The Fantasy Flight is an annual holiday tradition organized and run entirely by United employee volunteers, taking off on it’s 35th year.  With Guam being one of only 12 United stations worldwide bringing this experience to life, the Fantasy Flight committee meets months ahead to create an experience that doesn’t just delight – it wows. And this year, for United Guam’s 11th Fantasy Flight, 31 children from Make-A-Wish Guam and the Children’s Ark were invited to come along.

Make`Grants life-changing wishes for children diagnosed with critical illnesses – with a wish granted every 34 minutes across the U.S. and its territories. The Children’s Ark, founded in 2022, supports families facing medical, housing, legal, and financial hardships – giving parents and kids a safe place to land when life gets difficult.

And throughout the day, it was clear: this is a labor of love as check-in counters were transformed into snowy villages, gates into glowing wonderlands, and even the aircraft itself into a sleigh-in-the-sky.  “It’s something unique and something only United Airlines can do," said managing director Sam Shinohara. "We like to call it ‘Uniquely United’.”  Shinohara says everything about this day has one goal: bringing joy to some of Guam’s most deserving children.

And they made sure the magic didn't end when the wheels touched down. The “North Pole” greeted families with ornament decorating, cookie stations, balloon art, face painting, and holiday games.  “They’re having some fun right now in the background, but very shortly, Santa is going to come out and deliver some presents for them. They’ve had the opportunity to put a wish list together and Santa and his elves at United Airlines have facilitated those wishes," Shinohara explained.

And for families like Christopher’s, today is more than a celebration – it’s healing. “It’s actually our first Christmas all together back home since my daughter, Sophia, was away for about a year-and-a-half receiving treatment. So, it’s really special to us to have [the Children’s Ark] to invite us and to have it all come together like this. It’s really nice," he said.

“So, it gives her a chance to have a flight that’s associated with more positive things as in her past, her flights weren’t.”

And finally – the big moment. Children rushed forward as Santa himself rolled in with a “sleigh” full of personalized gifts, each one hand-picked from their wish lists.

While United’s Fantasy Flight may only last a few hours, for these children – and for the families who’ve weathered so much – the memories, the hope, and the magic will travel far beyond the holidays.