Elves

Visting the North Pole with Alaska Airlines’ Fantasy Flight

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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.

Santa’s workshop at Heathrow Airport

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Stuck at The Airport is continuing coverage of Santa sightings at airports.

We are also sharing updates on what airports are doing this year to make things merry.

So today we bring you this update from London’s Heathrow Airport.

To help parents with kids asking lots of questions about how Santa does what he does, Heathrow has installed “magical” periscopes in Terminals 2 and 5.

The periscopes allow children (and adults) to check in on what Santa is up to as he and his team get ready for the big night.

Heathrow says the periscopes offer a 360-degree view of elves in action at Santa’s the satellite workshop, which is conveniently located right under Heathrow (!).

Scenes include Santa’s Toy Factory, the Department of Wrapping and the Mail Room.

Heathrow Airport is going all out this holiday season to make travelers feel welcome.

The day before Thanksgiving, passengers from a handful of flights arriving at Heathrow from various U.S. cities got a surprise at the baggage claim.

Before checked bags showed up, baskets of fresh-baked pumpkin pie came down the line.

Spot Santa at the airport? Send us a photo.

Santa’s flight plan

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British Airways has shared a preview of the flight plan the Jeppesen charting company has prepared for Santa for the evening of December 24th. 

    For those who aren’t well versed in reading flight plan charts,
    BA says that the chart shows the approach for landing Santa’s sleigh back at the North Pole, having completed deliveries around the world.

    “The chart shows that on approach, the sleigh will descend to 2,500ft on a track of true North between SANTA and CLAUS. The sleigh will further descend on the final stages of its approach from COMNG to TOWNN, but in the event that the weather conditions are not good enough to land then Santa will climb back to an altitude of 2,500ft before turning right at MSLTO. That will lead to KSSNG where he will hold until the weather improves.”

    Here’s some more detailed information about the plan: 

    “With Rudolph’s nose lighting system, the sleigh has a ‘decision height’ of just 250ft which will help Santa manage any bad weather, resulting in a safe landing. Safety is obviously a priority for Santa and his team, so the plan warns that reindeer and elves will be on the runway and that reindeer games could slow down ground operations. Other aircraft are advised to look out for the blinding red nose.”

    “We’ll be cheering on Santa and his reindeer on December 24 as he flies around the world,” said Simon Brooks, British Airways’ senior vice president sales, North America, ” He has priority over the skies that night so customers traveling should look for the sleigh and wave to Santa.”

    My favorite parts of the flight plan are the ‘Hot Cider Deice Pad” and “Letters to Santa Drop Zone,” and that little elf, but the whole darn thing is charming. 

    Elves at airports

    Airports, Free Stuff, Holidays,

    hmshost-elves-ohare-photo-1
    Airports around the country are ready for the holiday travel season with decorations, entertainment and special events of all kinds – including an invasion of gift-bearing elves.

    Beginning Thursday, December 1 at Chicago’s O’Hare airport and running through December 8, the HMSHost Holiday Elves and their “magical sleigh” will be popping up at major U.S. airports handing out electronics, fun gag gifts, holiday collectibles and travel accessories to select lucky travelers and passersby who play the elves’ naughty-or-nice game.

    Look for the elves on December 6 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (I’ll be there!) and Orlando International Airport on December 8.

    Not planning on being at those airports on those days? You can still can win prizes (in airports or not ) by posting creative holiday travel photos.