Spokane Fantasy Flight

Visting the North Pole with Alaska Airlines’ Fantasy Flight

Holidays, , ,

On Friday, Spokane International Airport (GEG) looks innocent enough. What with all the poinsettia trees and other holiday decorations.

But by Saturday afternoon the lobby is filled with elves waiting for the arrival of several busloads of deserving kids who have received invitations from Santa and Mrs. Claus to visit them at the North Pole.

Here’s a link to the story we wrote for the Alaska Airlines blog:

Elves, Toys, and a Holiday-Themed Plane: How Alaska Delivered an Unforgettable North Pole Adventure for Kids this Year.

For the past 25 years, the Spokane Fantasy Flight has been treating about 60 at-risk kids from the community to a magical holiday day that includes a flight on an airplane, a visit to a hangar transformed into the North Pole, and lots and lots of gifts. Alaska Airlines has been providing the airplane for the event for the past 14 years, and this year I got to go along.

Before anyone could board the flight, they had to go through airport security.

And the TSA team at GEG was nice enough to set aside a dedicated lane just for the North Pole flight passengers.

Then it was time to board the flight.

Alaska Airlines had brought in the brand new Starbucks “Merrier Together” and soon we were taking off for the North Pole, where there was unlimited candy and ice cream, lots of fun activities, and, of course, Santa.

We can’t show you the rest of the North Pole because we don’t want to ruin Christmas. But suffice it to say it is indeed a very magical place.

Going to the North Pole as an embedded elf

Airlines, Airplanes, Airports, Events, Fun Stuff, Kids, Kids travel, , , ,

Today, about 60 kids from the Spokane, Wa. area will be going on a flight to the North Pole.

Spokane Airport Fantasy Flight to North Pole

Each year, with the help of more than 100 elves and incredible amount of local and regional support, the Spokane Fantasy Flight takes about 60 kids from shelters and community programs in the Spokane area to the airport, onto an airplane and, after about a 30-minute flight, to the North Pole for a full day of magic, complete with reindeer, all the candy you can eat, a visit with Santa and, of course, piles and piles of presents.

I went along as an embedded elf last year and it was so much fun that I’ve signed up to join the elves again.

Before we can get on that flight to the North Pole, of course, we’ll have to get through the security checkpoint at the airport.

TSA sign for North Pole

And then, of course, we’ll have to make sure to find the right gate for our flight.

I’ll report back tomorrow on whether or not jingle-belled elves are subject to enhanced TSA pat-downs and, of course, I’ll let Santa know that you’ve been very, very good.

“Notes,” the embedded elf…

Greetings from the North Pole

Air Travel, Events, Fun Stuff, , , ,

Spokane - North Pole

Yesterday I had the great honor of joining more than 60 kids from Spokane, Washington on a quick trip to the North Pole.

We flew, of course. On a special Alaska Airlines flight.  And for most of those kids it was their first time going to the airport, the first time flying on a plane, and of course, the first time going to the North Pole.  So Santa sent some elves to help out with some of the tricky parts, like going through security.

Spokane - north pole - security

The North Pole was a magical as you’d think (more on that later in the week) but, because I was dressed as an (undercover) elf I was able to sneak into Santa’s Flight Center and snap a few photos that offer some insight into the Christmas Eve routine.

Spokane - ELF TSA SIGN

Thanks to the folks at the Spokane Fantasy Flight for letting me ride along. Especially, Tammikins, my elf guide there on the right.

Elfves Notes and Tammikins -