The magic of the holidays came to life once again on December 10, as we partnered with Make-A-Wish Minnesota for our annual Flight to the North Pole. More than 50 wish kids and their families took part in an unforgettable adventure that transported them from MSP’s Terminal 2 all the way to Santa’s workshop.
The journey began with a festive welcome. Our holiday-clad employees, local firefighters, and police officers greeted the wish kids and their families with lots of holiday spirit. After writing letters to Santa, everyone boarded the magical “flight” where the Grinch himself even made an appearance to help deice the plane.
As kids settled in for their journey, flight attendants preformed the safety announcement to a specially written sonnet read in the pattern of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” which ended in:
“May your future be bright
Happy holidays to all, and to all a good flight!”
The flight then taxied around the tarmac before “landing” at the North Pole where Gate 1 had been transformed. Stepping into a winter wonderland complete with snow, Santa’s workshop, and holiday activities, the kids met Santa, shared their letters, received gifts, and enjoyed treats from Subway, JMLM Restaurants, and Caribou Coffee.
Our longtime partnership with Make-A-Wish Minnesota allows us to bring joy to children experiencing critical illnesses. This annual event is just one way we support Make-A-Wish Minnesota and their incredible work. We also provide complimentary flights to fulfill those children’s wishes and get them to their dream destinations.
By the end of 2024, we will have completed 182 flights for wish kids. These trips include:
Meetings with celebrities
Magical theme park trips
Travel throughout the U.S., including:
New York City
Alaska
Florida beaches
Skateboard camp
San Diego Zoo
International trips to Aruba, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada
We are proud to partner with our friends at Make-A-Wish Minnesota to provide the Flight to the North Pole.