How United Airlines Flies Children to Their Wishes During the Holiday Season
Key Points
- 1United Airlines and Make-A-Wish are celebrating a nearly 40-year partnership, providing critical air travel for children with critical illnesses.
- 2Over 75% of all wishes require air travel, making airfare the greatest expense for the foundation's mission.
- 3The airline is matching MileagePlus mile donations up to 5 million miles during December 2025, alongside new in-flight donation options and Fantasy Flight activations.
United Airlines and Make-A-Wish are celebrating a nearly 40-year partnership. This collaboration is vital for children with critical illnesses. Over 75% of all wishes involve some form of travel. Airfare costs are the greatest expense for these wish trips. The airline provides mission-critical travel resources to help these wishes take flight. Since 1986, this support has offered hope and strength to families.
Miles on a Mission: Fueling Wish Trips
The airline's support is especially crucial during the holiday season. Make-A-Wish needs billions of airline miles annually to fulfill travel wishes. The MileagePlus program offers a direct way to help. Members can donate miles through the "Miles on a Mission" platform.
This holiday season, United Airlines is increasing its commitment. From December 1 to 31, 2025, the airline will match mile donations. The match applies up to 5 million MileagePlus miles. Additionally, a new call-to-action is running in-flight. Passengers can donate miles or cash via the in-flight entertainment system. A portion of illy cold brew sales also supports the cause. Up to $25,000 will be donated from these inflight purchases.
The Impact on Families and Treatment
These critical illness travel wishes provide a necessary break. They replace fear and anxiety with confidence and joy. For 14-year-old Zoe, battling leukemia, her wish was New York City. She and her mother experienced iconic holiday events. Highlights included seeing the Rockettes and the Nutcracker. The trip provided a welcome break from medical appointments. Zoe's mother noted the trip exceeded all expectations. It was a bright light in her treatment process.
Medical providers confirm the wishes' positive impact. A recent study found 90% of providers observed increased compliance with treatment. This occurs after children learn they will receive a wish. The life-changing wish experiences are an essential part of the healing process.
Operational Engagement and Community Spirit
United Airlines employees also participate in community events. They host special Fantasy Flight activations at hub airports. Employees transform a gate into the "North Pole." Children take a short flight and land at the festive destination. This initiative demonstrates the airline's corporate social responsibility commitment. It brings direct joy to children during the holidays. This type of community service is a key part of commercial aviation news and operations. commercial aviation news
- The partnership is nearly 40 years strong, beginning in 1986.
- Over 75% of Make-A-Wish requests require air travel.
- United Airlines is matching up to 5 million miles in December 2025.
- Wishes create hope and may increase treatment compliance in children.
This ongoing support is vital for the foundation's mission. It allows more children to experience the power of a wish. MileagePlus members are encouraged to donate miles or money today.
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