JOY: United Airlines Announces New “Seasonal Hub”
United Airlines has announced a new “seasonal hub” at the North Pole, with airport code JOY…part of its multi-year commitment to “Fantasy Flights” every holiday season. This is “Good Leads The Way” on full display.
New United Airlines “Seasonal Hub” To North Pole (JOY) – 2024 Fantasy Flights
This month, United is transporting deserving children and their families to the North Pole with direct “Fantasy Flights” from 13 cities around the globe.
Honolulu (HNL) – December 5
Washington-Dulles (IAD) – December 7
Houston Bush (IAH) – December 7
Los Angeles (LAX) – December 7
London (LHR) – December 7
Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) -December 7
San Francisco (SFO) – December 7
Tokyo (NRT) – December 8
Cleveland (CLE) – December 10
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – December 10
Guam (GUM) – December 13
Denver (DEN) – December 14
Newark (EWR) – December 14
Of course, when speaking of new hubs, people pick up on Fort Lauderdale being part of the list…the South Florida airport has long been rumored to be a future hub for United…but I would not read too much into this beyond FLL being an enthusiastic station.
As Kate Gebo, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations explained the new JOY hub:
“The team made a list, I checked it twice and the answer was clear – with so many deserving children on the nice list this year, it only made sense to launch a seasonal hub in the North Pole. We’ve stocked up on de-icing fluid to fly from even more cities. United is honored to uplift children and their families through the joy of the holiday season. Making the North Pole closer than ever is one of the many ways we can show support for the communities where we live, work and fly.”
Ok, so what is this exactly?
Santa and his elves, led by United team members, volunteer every year to build and staff Fantasy Flights across United‘s global network, partnering with local nonprofits and hospitals in each city to create these special memories for kids and their families.
Two other things to note:
For those looking for ways to support children in need this season, this Giving Tuesday, United is partnering with Make-A-Wish to bring joy and hope to children facing critical illnesses. Donate miles or money through December 31, 2024, and United will match up to 5 million miles total and match monetary donations of up to $500,000 total through travel certificates, doubling the impact and helping grant even more life-changing wishes.
In addition, illy coffee is offering a donation to Make-A-Wish on sales of cold brew throughout the month of December. Illy will donate $1 for each cold brew sold on United flights, up to $25,000, in support of the organization.
As I passed through Chicago last night, I saw employee volunteers busily preparing the C-Concourse for today’s event.
What a beautiful sight. All these workers volunteered their own time…they are not paid for this..and it beautifully exemplifies this season of giving. This is “Good Leads The Way” on display.
Well done, United.