This airline is offering Christmas season fantasy flights to the North Pole

United Airlines will begin Fantasy Flights for children and their families

By Mark Reif Published December 6, 2024

United Airlines North Pole flights — United Airlines

To celebrate Christmas and help dreams come true, United Airlines is launching a seasonal route to the North Pole (JOY). Beginning December 5 and continuing through December 14, the airline will fly deserving kids and their families to the North Pole via “Fantasy Flights” from 13 global cities.

United’s JOY flights fly direct to a winter wonderland

United Airlines airplane — Arkin Si via Unsplash

The Fantasy Flights are local, curated experiences that take children and their families to a Christmas-themed hideaway. After a quick trip via air or ground, guests arrive at an airport gate or hangar transformed by employees and volunteers into the North Pole, where Santa, elves, sparkling lights, and trees await.

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This year, United’s JOY flights embark from the following cities:

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

United’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Kate Gebo said: “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. 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.”

Mark Reif is a writer from Stowe, Vermont. During the winter, he works as a snowboard coach and rides more than 100 days. The…

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First things first, the price of a first-class ticket can vary depending on the different factors at play. But there is a general range, so let’s break it down a bit.
The airline and route
The cost of a first-class ticket depends mainly on the airline and the route you’re taking. For example, on a popular international route like New York to London, a first-class ticket can range from $4,000 to $7,000, sometimes even more. If you’re flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo, that price tag can jump to $14,000 or more. These prices fluctuate based on the airline’s pricing structure and the demand for seats on that specific flight.
The flight duration
Another big factor is the length of the flight. The longer the journey, the more expensive the first-class ticket tends to be. A shorter domestic flight might cost somewhere in the range of $1,000 for a first-class seat, while international flights that can last 10 hours or more could easily push into the $8,000-$15,000 range for first class.
When you book your flight
Timing also plays a big role in the cost of your first-class ticket. The Luxury Travel Expert recommends booking your flight as early as possible to secure the best deals. So if you book months in advance, you’ll probably find better fares. However, airlines do occasionally offer last-minute discounts or promotions to fill seats, although this isn’t always the case. It’s always best to plan ahead, but keep an eye out for any deals, especially during off-peak travel seasons.
The time of year
Airline ticket prices also vary depending on the time of year. Traveling during peak times, like the holidays or summer vacation, will typically result in higher prices. Airlines usually raise prices to accommodate the increased demand during these periods.
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