Front Row L-R: The Clown Doctors with Santa Claus. Back Row L-R: The Sydney Kings Lion, Chris Petty and Alison Espley of United, Captain Marvin Sparks and First Office Mike Parrish.

United Airlines has brought some festive cheer to 45 children, parents and staff from the Sydney Children’s Hospital and Autism Spectrum, by inviting them for a fantasy flight to the North Pole.

United staff from Sydney and Melbourne, as well as representatives from the hospital and Autism Spectrum, took part in the annual ‘Flight of Fantasy’, which takes a group of children on a journey from Sydney to the ‘North Pole’, more commonly known as Melbourne Airport’s Gate 9, on a United 747. Upon arrival in Melbourne, the children were greeted by Santa Claus and Santa’s helpers, the Clown Doctors, and with the help of the United staff, distributed gifts to the children. Also on hand was a special guest, the Sydney Kings Lion mascot, to help entertain the children.

“It was a wonderfully special day, both for the children as well as United staff,” said Chris Petty, United’s sales manager for Australia and New Zealand.  “This annual event is a great opportunity for United staff from different departments to collaborate and work together on something very worthwhile. It is important for us to support activities in our local community and we especially enjoy this event and the happiness it brings to these children at a very special time of year.  “We also have tremendous support from our Australian business partners, which include Gate Gourmet and Alpha Catering, Melbourne and Sydney Airports, JTG, Flight Centre and Consolidated Travel.”

Leonie Morgan, Fundraising Coordinator, Autism Spectrum said: “We’d like to thank the United team for their wonderful hospitality. This year’s ‘Flight of Fantasy’ was a fantastic experience for all the children and parents involved in their journey to the ‘North Pole’.”  Parent Nicole Fothergill added: “It’s been a wonderful experience for my two daughters, they’ve had an absolute ball and everyone is making us feel very special.”
The children especially enjoyed the presence of the Sydney Kings Lion mascot, who was invited to participate in the event as a result of United’s recently announced partnership with the Sydney Kings for the current NBL season.

This is the fourth time that United has hosted children on this flight, as part of its ongoing commitment to engaging with its local communities and charity partners.