American Airlines And Make-A-Wish Host Wish Flight To Bring 24 Children Battling Critical Illnesses To Walt Disney World Resort

American Airlines and Make-A-Wish Team Up for Disney Trip

American Airlines, Make-A-Wish, and Disney are teaming up to grant the wishes of children facing critical illnesses during World Wish Month for the third annual Wish Flight. On April 9, 24 wish families from Arizona will take off on the Wish Flight, travelling from Phoenix to Orlando, Florida, to realize their dreams of visiting Walt Disney World Resort. The Wish Flight promises unforgettable experiences, starting with a pre-flight celebration at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), featuring a breakfast bar and a heartfelt send-off from WishMakers. These everyday heroes make wishes come true. The festivities will continue with a unique inflight experience provided by American Airlines, ensuring that kids and their families enjoy a journey that will truly change their lives.

The flight will offer a unique inflight menu, complete with an ice cream sundae bar and activity kits for children. Upon landing at Orlando International Airport (MCO), families will be greeted by a special welcome featuring WishMakers cheering them on.

"At American Airlines, we are passionate about connecting people and creating unforgettable memories driven by our purpose of caring for people on life’s journey. We hope these children and their families feel the care and excitement of our team as they embark on this meaningful experience," said Caroline Clayton, Senior Vice President of Communications and Chief Marketing Officer at American.

"As a proud partner of Make-A-Wish for more than 35 years, we’re grateful to help grant wishes, bring joy to these wish families and continue giving back to the communities we serve."

Every child dreams of visiting Walt Disney World Resort, and since 1980, Disney and Make-A-Wish have granted over 165,000 transformative wishes. Families will also be welcomed at Give Kids The World Village, a charming nonprofit resort, where they will spend six days and five nights soaking in the enchantment of Disney.

“Supporters like Disney and American Airlines recognize the profound impact that a wish can have on children fighting critical illnesses and continue to strengthen their support as WishMakers to make more wishes possible,” said Leslie Motter, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America.

“For the third year in a row, Wish Flight is uniting the community during World Wish Month, offering families the chance to create life-changing experiences from the moment they arrive at the airport, bringing joy and hope during challenging times."

Make-A-Wish requires nearly three billion airline miles annually to realize the travel wishes of children facing critical illnesses, making these miles vital for granting every eligible child's wish. As a trusted airline partner, American has generously provided chartered flights and contributes millions of AAdvantage miles each year to facilitate wish travel.

In celebration of World Wish Month in April, American will dedicate all AAdvantage miles donated to Miles for Global Health and Well-Being to Make-A-Wish, up to a total of 50 million miles.

Wishes are made possible through the dedication and generosity of WishMakers. Anyone can become a WishMaker, from individual donors to corporate partners. In the United States, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness every 20 minutes on average, and having a wish can contribute to healthier outcomes. However, more WishMakers are essential for Make-A-Wish to fulfill its mission of providing every eligible child with the life-changing experience of a wish. 

During World Wish Month in April, Make-A-Wish chapters and affiliates around the globe are encouraging communities to participate and become WishMakers throughout the month. The Wish Flight exemplifies the tremendous impact that can be achieved when communities come together to grant wishes.