Making holiday wishes come true: Our annual Flight to the North Pole event
- Sun Country
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The magic of the holidays returned on December 9, as we teamed up with Make-A-Wish Minnesota for our annual Flight to the North Pole event. Families filled Terminal 2 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport with excitement as more than 50 wish kids joined us for a festive adventure.
From the moment families arrived, the excitement was contagious. Employee volunteers clad in holiday attire greeted families and children as live holiday music filled the air, and the gate sparkled with decorations.
Children wasted no time diving into activities—coloring holiday-themed sheets, sharing their excitement with volunteers, and writing heartfelt letters to Santa. Each letter was carefully slipped into Santa’s magical mailbox, a highlight for many kids eager to share their wishes.
Pilots and flight attendants joined the fun with festive greetings and a special overhead announcement as families settled into their seats for a short but memorable “flight”. Holiday tunes played overhead, and the cabin buzzed with anticipation as the plane made its way to the North Pole.
When the flight arrived, Santa’s workshop awaited with sparkling lights, decorated trees, and an igloo filled with snowballs. Santa himself was there to greet each child, pose for photos, listen to their wishes, and even hand out a special gift. Volunteers guided families through gift stations and activities, ensuring every moment felt magical.
This event takes months of planning and the dedication of more than 100 employee volunteers. From transforming the gate to organizing crafts and coordinating logistics, their efforts make this tradition possible year after year.
“You can feel the excitement from the moment families arrive,” said Jackie, a Sun Country employee and one of the lead organizers. “This event means everything and is a day everyone looks forward to all year long.”
Our longtime partnership with Make-A-Wish Minnesota allows us to bring joy to children experiencing critical illnesses. This annual event is just one way we support Make-A-Wish Minnesota and their incredible work. We also provide flights to fulfill those children’s wishes and get them to their dream destinations.
By the end of 2025, we will have completed more than 100 flights for wish kids. These trips include meetings with celebrities, magical theme park visits, and travel throughout the U.S.—from Alaska to Florida beaches, San Diego, and even flights to join cruises.
We’re grateful to share this tradition with families in our community and honored to help bring a little extra wonder to their holiday season.
Learn more about our partnership: