United Fantasy Flight takes kids in need of Christmas cheer to North Pole

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - United Airlines is giving hope this Christmas to children who need it the most. Across the country, United employees are filling airport gates with holiday cheer for children fighting to stay alive.

The kids have the very special opportunity to visit Santa at the North Pole, including 7-year-old Henry Glassman.

"It's pretty cool. I'm excited to go somewhere I've never been," he said.

He says he is very excited to meet Santa.

Henry and all the children at Dulles are survivors, overcoming special needs, poverty or illness.

"I feel good," he said ahead of the flight.

Henry's mom Gina Glassman says her son has had an uphill battle with cancer.

"In September 2017, he was diagnosed with high-risk Neuroblastoma and so he has gone through five rounds of chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants, 28 days of radiation and five rounds of immunotherapy," she said.

United transformed its concourse at Dulles International Airport into a winter wonderland.

"It makes us feel good. It's so amazing the number of folks out there who are supporting us in so many ways and this is just the icing on the cake. It's been a long road for us so far and he is so excited to be joining this flight," said Henry's dad Jon Glassman.

Old and young alike boarded the plane headed to the North Pole.

"The message is to make sure that we help the community and we reach out to local hospitals and we get kids with life threatening illnesses where they can come out an enjoy a special day way from their every day hospital visits," said Susanne Caraffa, customer service director for United Airlines.

The day was a brief reprieve for nearly 200 children on board the bowing 777 aircraft for the 45-minute flight across the nation's capital to the North Pole.

"It's a magical day, it puts smiles on their faces and they're just filled with spirit and they're excited to be here to see Santa," said Caraffa.

Popular TV and storybook characters greeted the young passengers as they received a rock star welcome with special guests including the Minions, Santa Claus, Mrs. Clause and Elmo.

This same magic is happening at 16 different United airport gates nationwide and across the globe.