Review: Alaska Flight 1225 to The North Pole

Alaska Airlines’ Very Special Flight 1225

Boarding Alaska 1225 on December 14, 2019.

Every December, Alaska Airlines sends flight 1225 (for December 25th) on a special flight to the North Pole with 65 VIP guests. Many of these guests have never been on an airplane and are likely to go without for the holidays. Alaska Airlines teams up with Northwest North Pole Adventures to make dreams come true for 65 deserving children from Spokane WA. These children live in either shelters or other forms of transitional housing and are nominated to Northwest North Pole Adventures from:

The Salvation Army
St. Vincent de Paul
Transitions for Women
Catholic Charities – Eastern Washington

This flight works on the power of donations and volunteer time. Alaska Airlines supplies the aircraft and facilities while Alaska Airlines employees donate their days off to make the flight happen. Northwest North Pole Adventures receives donations small and large for toys to jet fuel for the flight. Alaska Airlines transforms a hanger at Spokane International Airport (GEG) into the magical North Pole experience.

All children are assigned a personal elve who dress in the best elf costume and create their own elf persona.

Photos for this post were taken by Rajah Bose for Alaska Airlines.

Arriving at the Airport

Santa’s helper’s welcoming the children to Spokane International Airport.

The bus arrives in plenty of time to make the 4:45 pm departure and have a little pre-departure celebrating with festive food and music.

Each child receives a warm welcome, a passport and a holiday backpack.

Musical entertainment in the boarding area.

Announcing the boarding of Alaska flight 1225.

The Flight

The boarding begins for an on-time 4:45 departure.

The children with their personal elves board Santa’s sleigh.

Alaska Airlines staff volunteer their time to make these flights possible.

North Pole flight crew who will fly callsign “Santa 1”.

Alaska volunteer flight attendant spreading holiday cheer.

Before descent, the window shades are lowered and the children recite the magical chant that will allow them entry into “Santa’s Airspace”. Through Alaska Airline’s magic, this flight was able to make it to the North Pole in only 40 minutes.

A Happy Landing

It’s wheels down at the North Pole as flight 1225 taxis to Santa’s workshop.

Deplaning at the North Pole as the Alaska Eskimo looks on.

The children receive a greeting from Santa’s helpers.

Celebrating with Santa and Mrs. Claus

The hanger (Santa’s workshop) has been transformed into a glittering fantasyland with decorations, games, jugglers, magicians, face painters, a Polar Express train set and sugar cookies and other tasty treats. Santa and Mrs. Claus make their arrival with gifts that have been requested in each child’s wish letter. Santa’s list is checked to ensure every child is listed as “nice”.

Santa and Mrs. Claus make their entrance.

Capping off the night is the reading of The Polar Express by Mrs. Clause as the children follow along with their books.

Children say goodbye to their elves at the end of their special trip to the North Pole.

Alaska Airlines Outreach to the Community

Alaska Airlines is constantly giving back to the communities that they serve, not just at Christmas but all year long. It is that corporate culture and the hours of volunteer time that make this kind of magic happen all year.

I am a Major in the Civil Air Patrol (U. S. Air Force Aux) and I take our Cadet members to Alaska Airlines Aviation Day each May at their Portland maintenance hanger. Aviation Day gives youths a look at various jobs in airline and private aviation. Alaska CEO Brad Tilden has been making the Alaska Airlines Aviation Day open to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Civil Air Patrol Cadets in Seattle and Portland for many years.

I applaud Alaska Airlines for not only being an outstanding airline but also being an outstanding member of the communities that they serve.