A United Airlines gate at Denver International Airport, draped in holiday décor and colossal Christmas inflatables, acted as a portal to Santa’s workshop for over 100 local children Saturday morning.

United Airlines teamed up with Make-A-Wish Colorado, Girls Inc., Children’s Hospital Colorado, Warren Village and Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association for its annual Fantasy Flight event.

The event, a tradition for more than 30 years, flies Denver children aged 3 to 10 down toward Colorado Springs, then back to DIA. Once the plane gets near its landing, employees shut the window blinds and land at the “North Pole” — United’s decorated hanger — where the young passengers receive presents and treats and get to meet Santa. 

It’s one of 13 United Fantasy Flights throughout the country. 

“He’s super excited. He wants to go to the North Pole,” Jessie Pruett said of her 8-year-old son, Jax Pruett, who was pulling at her leg to move toward the festivities. “I told him maybe a month ago when we found out and he has been excited since.”

Jax, who has Down syndrome, doesn’t get to experience the holidays like his siblings, according to his mother, making the day a special occasion for them both.

“He has different attention, especially if there’s siblings around,” she said. “Me getting the day to spend with him, I was looking forward to it. It’s cool that he gets to do it because he can’t access all things all of the time like his sisters do.”

And those moments of joy for those that don’t always get to experience the bright fun of the holiday season, is exactly why over 200 United employees dressed up in costumes and volunteered on their days off — with some even acting as a Secret Santa for the children.

“It is the best day of the year of my career. I look forward to this every single year,” Emmy Agustin, a flight attendant who has volunteered at the event for the last three years, said.

“I love seeing the children and their families smile, but I also love that our employees also smile when they see everything come into fruition.”

Agustin, dressed as Disney’s Moana because she’s from Hawaii, has been a a fan favorite for the past three years, giving hugs to every passing child with a bright smile and reverberating, cheerful voice.

“It’s kind of tear-jerking occasionally, followed up by immense smiles,” Paul Purkey, a pilot with United that has been flying the decorated United Boeing 777 at the event for 14 years, said.

Purkey added there’s always a battle amongst employees to be the first on the volunteer list, with everyone trying to spend their day off giving a little holiday cheer to the children.

“There are so many deserving children and families out her that we can bring joy to. We can give a little bit of a distraction to them and take away their pain for the day,” Jill Carpenter, a flight attendant, said.

The origin of United’s Fantasy Flight is up for debate. 

According to Russell Carlton, corporate communications manager for United Airline’s Denver Hub, the event in Denver started more than 30 years ago, beginning at Stapleton International Airport before DIA was built.

The Denver iteration was also the first to bring back actual flights post the COVID pandemic.

According to Jonna McGrath, Vice President at United Airlines Denver, the idea started in Chicago, but the history is shaky due to the grassroots approach in which it started, with employees leading the way and starting their own in each city.

Regardless, the event still goes strong and sticks in the hearts of workers.

For example, the Santa Claus who meets the children at the North Pole hanger has been retired from the airline for 10 years, but still volunteers every year. 

“We just had someone walk by that said they participated in 2018 and their child has since passed away and it was one of their favorite memories with their child,” McGrath said. “It just touches my heart. It puts smiles on our faces and warms our heart today, but it really fulfills us for the entire year and makes us think about giving back more often because you can really make an impact in your community.”