Guide Dogs announces United Airlines as official partner for art trail

United Airlines has been announced as the official Accessible Events Partner for Guide Dog’s art trail, Paws on the Wharf.

Paws on the Wharf, an accessible and inclusive art trail, takes place in Canary Wharf from 25 March to 17 May 2024. The event features 25 guide dog sculptures, each skillfully painted by a different artist, transforming Canary Wharf into a free public art exhibition that highlights the power of creativity and inclusivity. 

As the official Accessible Events Partner, United Airlines’ support enables Guide Dogs to deliver sighted guide and sensory tours of the art trail. This allows Guide Dogs to help people with sight loss who would prefer support navigating the trail. 

The guided sensory tours, taking place on selected days throughout the event, will showcase some of the sculptures, proving a multi-sensory experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to touch items and smell specific scents that the artists have suggested will relate to their designs. 

United Airlines is rethinking the entire flying experience to better serve its customers, including adding Braille onboard and making inflight entertainment and the United App accessible to those with visual impairments. In 2023, United became the first U.S. airline to add Braille to aircraft interiors, helping travellers with a visual impairment navigate the cabin more easily and independently. 

Paws on the Wharf aims to be one of the most accessible art trails yet to ensure inclusivity for people with sight loss and other disabilities. In addition to being step free and offering different options for maps, there will be an option to access the trail through the NaviLens App and NaviLens Codes - cutting-edge technology to enable people with sight loss to visit the trail independently. The NaviLens App will also provide information about the guide dog sculptures, the artists and the sponsors. Five of the sculptures will feature exclusive artwork by artists with sight loss including Angela Charles, Alex Devlin, Kevin Gavaghan, Sian Healey and Clarke Reynolds. 

American Airlines, Make-A-Wish® and Disney host Wish Flight in support of 28 children battling critical illnesses.

American Airlines, Make-A-Wish and Disney will grant the wishes of children battling critical illnesses in celebration of World Wish Month. On April 17, 28 wish families will board the Wish Flight and fly on a one-of-a-kind, chartered plane from Dallas-Fort Worth to Orlando, Florida, to fulfill their wishes to go to Walt Disney World Resort®.

American recently hosted a special wish reveal celebration at its Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters with local wish families. Team members came together to cheer on the wish kids with congratulatory signs, refreshments and photo stations as the children learned about the extraordinary Wish Flight they will be taking in April.

Wish Flight will be full of unforgettable experiences, beginning with a pre-flight celebration at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, complete with a breakfast bar and a special send-off by WishMakers who make wishes possible. The party will continue with an epic inflight experience and magical moments provided by American, sending these wish kids and their families off on a trip that will be sure to transform their lives.

n addition to interactive games, the flight will feature a special snack menu and surprise moments including live entertainment. The chartered Wish Flight will land at Orlando International Airport, and families will be welcomed by WishMakers cheering their arrival.

easyJet and UNICEF launch ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign

 easyJet and UNICEF are partnering to support UNICEF’s education programmes and help every child access their right to a quality education 

 ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign will support UNICEF's aspiration to achieve the universal right of quality education for all children by 2030

 Customers flying with easyJet over the Easter holiday period have the opportunity to raise funds with easyJet cabin crew collecting donations onboard around 40,000 flights

 To date, through the partnership, easyJet customers have already raised almost £17 million towards UNICEF’s appeals

easyJet and the world’s leading children’s organisation UNICEF have announced the new phase of their partnership to support UNICEF’s goal of ensuring all children at primary and lower secondary levels are enrolled in school by 2030.

easyJet and UNICEF’s ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign will raise vital funds to change millions of children’s lives, including contributing to UNICEF's target of providing access to learning opportunities for 114 million children and digital education for 148.6 million children around the world. 

The onboard collection by easyJet’s cabin crew is now running in time for the busy holiday period, which will see the airline fly over five million customers across its network, who will have the opportunity to donate onboard around 40,000 flights towards the ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign and support UNICEF’s work in education.

In 2022, 70% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries could not read and understand simple text. This figure has worsened by 13% since COVID-19 school closures.

ATSG raises over $317,000 with charity golf events

Air Transport Services Group raised more than $317,000 during their charity golf series held this year. Proceeds will be distributed by the ATSG Charitable Foundation with a focus on supporting education, veteran, and wellness programs.

The outings were held at Countryside Country Club in Tampa, Fla., Elks 797 Golf Club and Snow Hill Country Club in Wilmington, Ohio. In total more than 250 participants took part in the tournaments, which were supported by 66 sponsors from around the globe.

At a reception following the ATSG charity tournament, guest speaker Rob Schafer spoke about his experiences with the U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan, which were the subject of the 2018 feature film 12 Strong, and about the subsequent founding of veteran-owned distillery Horse Soldier Bourbon in Kentucky.

United Airlines’ U.K. Fantasy Flight Supports Children from Honeypot to meet Santa at the ‘North Pole’

First time United Airlines partners with The Honeypot Children’s Charity for its U.K. Fantasy Flight

Children and young people supported by The Honeypot Children’s Charity in London enjoyed a special onboard experience this weekend at Heathrow Airport and met Santa at a unique ‘North Pole’ type setting at the Renaissance Hotel, courtesy of United Airlines. 

It is the first time United Airlines, which has been running the festive initiative in the U.S. and other countries across its global network for more than 25 years, has partnered with The Honeypot Children’s Charity for its U.K. Fantasy Flight. The children, many of whom had never been on a plane before, were brought together by the charity through the services it operates across the UK. 

Employees from United Airlines at Heathrow Airport, including customer service staff and flight attendants, worked together to organise the day of adventure at the airport. The United team, with support from the charity, collaborated to ensure a magical day for all of the children involved. 

Final Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight of 2023 departs Ottawa giving kids the trip-of-a-lifetime

First Dreams Take Flight from Ottawa since 2019

Last of eight flights of 2023 from across Canada

Every year, Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight take children facing different challenges on the trip-of-a-lifetime

This morning, for the first time since 2019, Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight departed Ottawa for Orlando with 145 children on board to experience the trip-of-a-lifetime. With the help of Air Canada employee volunteers, support of the Air Canada Foundation, and the work by the Dreams Take Flight organization, eight flights operate annually, providing over 1,000 children each year with an unforgettable day at a theme park in Florida or California.

Accompanied by a crew of current and retired Air Canada employee volunteers, the flight took off in the early hours of the morning taking kids facing mental, physical, emotional or social adversity to a theme park in Florida. By generously donating their time, pilots, flight attendants, maintenance engineers, and numerous other employees and volunteers on the ground and behind the scenes offer these children the chance to take a break from their everyday to make memories and discover new possibilities. 

"The children on our flights come from various difficult backgrounds. Some have experienced many doctor's appointments, hospital visits, deaths of family members, in and out of foster homes, and looking after their siblings, just to name a few. While they get to experience a day at the most magical place on earth with Dreams Take Flight Ottawa, it allows them to be a kid for the day. They often start the day shy and full of worries. While at the park, the volunteers see them blossom. We see them smile as they meet their favourite characters, laugh at the thrill of a rollercoaster ride, experience what Disney does best, creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. For volunteers, seeing the change in these kids is why many of our volunteers return each year. It's to give the kids exactly what they deserve. A day to get away to have fun and leave all their worries behind them," said Angela Guy, President of Dreams Take Flight Ottawa.

The Dreams Take Flight Ottawa Flight Day was the last of 2023. Dreams Take Flight also sees trips take place from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.

Air Canada Joins Forces with Dreams Take Flight Calgary to Create Unforgettable Experiences for Children

Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight are once again joining forces to create an unforgettable experience. This year, we will be taking over 120 children on a once-in-a-lifetime journey from Calgary to a theme park in California, all thanks to the generous support of many Air Canada employee volunteers and the Air Canada Foundation. Dreams Take Flight, since its inception in 1989, has provided over 30,000 Canadian children with special needs the opportunity to experience a unique flight. This is the 30th year Dreams Take Flight Calgary has taken place.

The group of children were accompanied by a team of volunteers, both active and retired employees of Air Canada, who were committed to creating a magical journey for all on board. This team, comprised of pilots, flight attendants, maintenance engineers, and many other ground and behind-the-scenes staff, selflessly gave their time to provide an opportunity for children dealing with mental, physical, or social hardships. They offered these children a chance to escape their daily struggles, create lasting memories, and discover new possibilities.

"We sometimes wonder what happens once the children return home, what happens to their future, and if we make a difference. Victoria, an 8-year-old on our flight in 2001, said that she and her sister came from a world of black and white," said Julien DeSchutter Vice-President of Dreams Take Flight Calgary. "They were living with exposure to drug abuse, alcoholism, and emotional abuse, always trying to find a way to paint their world with colour. Throughout their special day with our volunteers, they started to see that there were so many opportunities in the world. They learned of hope and believed in more than just magic. Victoria explains that shortly after returning home, the colour started to fade, but despite the many challenges she painted her future in vibrant colours. This year, Victoria joins our team of volunteers, adding colour to the world of the 120 kids on our flight."

Annually, 1,700 kids embark on an unforgettable journey to a theme park located in either Florida or California. This year, two more flights are scheduled from Montreal, and Ottawa. Earlier in the year, flights from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax and Vancouver took place under the Dreams initiative.

Exceeding All Expectations

Aeroplan's annual Aeroplan Points Matching Week progresses from raising 2M points annually to raising 67.7M points this year for Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program

With the points donated, the Hospital Transportation program will be able to help roughly 700 families

All donated points benefit 15 pediatric hospitals across Canada, helping to connect sick children with the medical care they need away from home 

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Canadian companies and dedicated Aeroplan members, more families will be supported with easier access to hospital care than ever before. This year, an astounding 67.7 million points were raised during Aeroplan's annual Aeroplan Points Matching Week representing the most successful points-matching campaign in the two-decade history of the Hospital Transportation Program. With the points donated during the week, the Hospital Transportation program will be able to help roughly 700 families, based on the average points used for flights in 2023 to date.

For 20 years, the Air Canada Foundation's Hospital Transportation Program has operated on the generous donations of Aeroplan members to provide relief for families across Canada whose children need specialized medical treatment. This year, Aeroplan partners took it to the next level to mark the program's 20th anniversary.

"The generosity exhibited through this year's campaign has blown us away. With donations coming from across Canada and more than 80 countries, our Aeroplan partners and members came together from around the globe to rally behind families to provide a sense of relief for those who face the stress of transporting a child for medical treatment," said Valérie Durand, spokesperson for the Air Canada Foundation. "We cannot thank our Aeroplan partners and members enough for their generosity and contributions which will help ensure the sustainability of this impactful program for years to come."

"Aeroplan members are the industry's most generous! Whether supporting their local communities or helping people in need around the world, time and again, they answer the call. This year, we were thrilled to have leading Aeroplan partners TD, CIBC, and the Avis Budget Group join us to amplify the generosity of our joint customers. With their support, this was the most impactful Points Matching Week ever — all devoted to helping kids and their families travel for required medical care," said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital at Air Canada, and President of Aeroplan.

All Aeroplan points go directly to 15 pediatric hospitals nationwide to support their young patients' need for care not offered in their community.

"Roughly 700 families will be supported with easier access to hospital care thanks to Aeroplan members and the kind generosity of the Avis Budget Group, TD, CIBC and Aeroplan. We can't believe the outpouring of support and are grateful to know that so many families across Canada will experience a bit of relief in their journey to get the specialized care their children need," said Adam Starkman, President and CEO of Canada's Children's Hospital Foundation.

American Airlines customers raise record total for Stand Up To Cancer campaign

Through this year’s annual fundraising campaign with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), American Airlines raised nearly $4 million for innovative and life-saving cancer research, the most successful fundraising campaign the airline has contributed to since joining forces with SU2C in 2016.

Stand Up To Cancer enables scientific breakthroughs by funding collaborative, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional scientific cancer research teams and investigators. Over its seven-year collaboration, American has raised more than $20 million to benefit SU2C and its mission to make every cancer patient a long-term survivor.

“Thanks to the tremendous support from our generous team members and customers, American was able to make its largest contribution in a single campaign to Stand Up To Cancer to date,” American Airlines Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Ron DeFeo said. “The impact we can make when we unite in the fight against cancer is humbling and American is honoured to be a part of that fight.”

Since the campaign kicked off on Aug. 19, customers received 25 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage miles for every dollar donated. Additionally, thanks to Mastercard, anyone who used their American Airlines AAdvantage® Mastercard credit card when donating received 50 bonus AAdvantage miles per dollar, up to $3 million in donations.

Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight Edmonton celebrate 30 years of helping children make magical memories

First Dreams Take Flight trip departing Edmonton since 2019
Fourth flight of 2023 taking off from across Canada

Earlier this week, in the morning of Tuesday 19th, 104 children from  Alberta and the Northwest Territories, many of whom have never stepped foot on an aeroplane, took off on the trip of lifetime. Departing from Edmonton International Airport the children from Dreams Take Flight jetted off for a theme park in California, marking the 30th anniversary of the Edmonton chapter of Dreams Take Flight. Today's flight is the first Edmonton Dreams flight since 2019, and the fourth of eight Dreams Take Flight trips planned across Canada for 2023. Over the past 30 years, Dreams Take Flight and Air Canada, as the exclusive carrier, have given more than 42,000 Canadian children a Dreams flight.

With the support of devoted Air Canada employee volunteers, the Air Canada Foundation and the Dreams Take Flight organization, these trips take children from across the country on a trip-of-a-lifetime and help them create magical memories. That was the case for Naomi, who took part on the 2011 Dreams flight from Edmonton and would have celebrated her 19th birthday last week.

"Through she was still recovering from the effects of fighting cancer, she threw off all hindrances and partied from before the sun came up until well after the sun set. The stories she came back to us with filled our hearts and the photo book we received in the mail a few months later is still something we cherish to this day," Naomi's mom recalls fondly.

American Airlines customers donate more than $1 million to American Red Cross in support of Maui wildfires

American Airlines continues to support evacuation and relief efforts following the devastating wildfires on Maui, Hawaii, earlier this month. In addition to providing lift off the island and flexibility to customers, American is supporting relief efforts by offering American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles to customers who donate to the American Red Cross.

American’s focus has been to provide critical aid to the island in partnership with the American Red Cross. Through Aug. 31, AAdvantage members can earn 10 AAdvantage bonus miles for every dollar donated to the Red Cross with a minimum donation of $25. As of Aug. 22, American has distributed more than 12 million AAdvantage miles to customers for their generous contributions, and the Red Cross has received donations totaling more than $1.2 million. The contributions will help the Red Cross assist those affected by the wildfires.

“The outpouring of generosity from our AAdvantage members has been on full display the past few weeks,” said Ron DeFeo, American’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. “We are grateful to our customers who have contributed and to our partners at the Red Cross for the important work they are doing to assist with relief and recovery efforts on Maui.”

American is proud to be a member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program with the Red Cross. Donations through the site help to provide relief and hope during hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and other disasters big and small.

The American Airlines Family Fund is also assisting team members stationed on the island. The Family Fund is supported primarily through donations by American Airlines team members and goes to help colleagues who are facing financial hardship after unexpected life events like a natural disaster.

American Airlines Stand Up To Cancer fundraising campaign 2023 kicks off.

The U.S. mega-carrier, American Airlines has kicked off its annual campaign to raise funds for innovative and life-saving cancer research in collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C).

Those who choose to donate online $25 or more will receive 25 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage miles for every dollar donated. And thanks to Mastercard, those who donate online using their American Airlines AAdvantage Mastercard credit card will receive 50 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage® miles per dollar, up to $3 million donated. Promotion ends Sept. 30, 2023, or when overall promotion donations total $3 million, whichever is earlier.*

On Aug. 19, SU2C hosted its eighth biennial roadblock televised fundraising special supporting urgently needed research and new treatments for cancer, which included a celebration of the official launch of this year’s fundraising campaign. Viewers enjoyed a video featuring American Airlines Chief Executive Officer Robert Isom and American team members whose lives have been touched by cancer, reflecting on the airline’s collaboration with and commitment to the long-standing relationship with SU2C.

“Throughout our seven-year collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer, the support from our generous team members and customers has been remarkable,” Isom said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Stand Up To Cancer and advance their mission to raise funds and continue accelerating the pace of groundbreaking research.”

Disaster response nonprofit airlink welcomes aviation industry leaders to governors council on world humanitarian day and national aviation day

Celebrating World Humanitarian Day and National Aviation Day - August 19th, the global disaster response nonprofit Airlink has announced the addition of seven aviation industry leaders to its prestigious Governors Council. Airlink plays a unique role in fostering collaboration between the private and philanthropic sectors to provide free air transport to a global network of 150 disaster response nonprofit organizations responding to natural and man-made disasters worldwide.

Airlink's Governors Council comprises leaders in the aviation and logistics sector who (personally or through their organization) inspire other individuals and organizations to join the aviation industry’s leading disaster relief movement. Governors Council members are invited to join the group based on their and their company's support of Airlink. Members are current CEOs (or equivalent) of Airlink’s partners. All share a dedication to helping people and communities impacted by natural and man-made disasters.

The newly appointed members include prominent figures from top passenger and cargo carriers, each dedicated to making a positive impact in the aviation industry and the global community. Their airlines have played a key role in Airlink’s responses to the Hawaii Wildfires, the cholera outbreak in Haiti, earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighboring countries supporting displaced Ukrainians. The new members of Airlink's Governors Council are:

Scott Kirby - CEO, United Airlines

Michael Steen - CEO, Atlas Air

Robert Isom - CEO, American Airlines

Bob Jordan - President and CEO, Southwest Airlines

Ben Minicucci - President and CEO, Alaska Airlines 

Tim Strauss - CEO, Amerijet

Güliz Öztürk - CEO, Pegasus

"We are delighted to welcome these distinguished aviation leaders to Airlink's Governors Council," said Steven J. Smith, President and CEO of Airlink. "The aviation industry plays a crucial role in global humanitarian efforts, and Airlink serves as a critical bridge between the private sector, airlines, and humanitarian organizations to deliver aid and hope to communities facing adversity worldwide."

World Humanitarian Day and National Aviation Day on the same date hold a special significance for Airlink. By leveraging the resources and capabilities of its airline and aviation industry partners (through in-kind and cash donations), Airlink facilitates the rapid and free transportation of aid and responders to disaster-affected regions, ensuring that help reaches those in need swiftly. The organization supports a pre-screened global network of 150 NGO partners with free transport and logistical coordination. 

Because Airlink covers the cost of transport for its NGO partners, those NGOs can then procure more supplies of aid and conduct longer and more extensive disaster response and humanitarian crisis programs. “The aviation and logistics industries are the unsung heroes of disaster response,” said Steve Smith. “The first step in disaster response is getting there.”  

The Earthshot Prize and Bloomberg Philanthropies to host second innovation summit in New York City

The Earthshot Prize and Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced they will co-host the second Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit on September 19, 2023, in New York City with the founder of The Earthshot Prize, Prince William, expected to attend.

Held during New York Climate Week and the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, the Summit will convene previous Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists with policymakers, global business leaders, philanthropists, and climate activists to scale their innovative solutions.

At the Summit, The Earthshot Prize will reveal this year’s 15 Finalists and introduce their groundbreaking climate and environmental solutions to repair our planet this decade on one of the biggest international stages.

To help drive meaningful change, and accelerate the collaborations and investments needed to scale those solutions, the Summit will connect the new and previous Earthshot Prize Finalists and Winners with forward-thinking business leaders, philanthropists, and governments already working to regenerate the planet. September’s Summit begins the countdown to The Earthshot Prize’s third annual Awards ceremony in Singapore, where, on November 7, 2023, five of the 15 Finalists will be awarded a catalytic £1 million to scale their cutting-edge solutions.

Alongside Prince William, Michael R. Bloomberg, Global Advisor to the Winners of The Earthshot Prize, will address the assembled guests. Other featured speakers will include policymakers, business leaders, climate innovators, and previous Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists. The full agenda will be announced in due course.

 

Air Canada Foundation's 11th annual golf tournament raises record-breaking amount of nearly $1.3 million for children and youth health and well-being

The annual golf tournament is the Air Canada Foundation's largest fundraising event

In 2022, the Air Canada Foundation donated $1.6 million to 41 organizations

Over the past 11 years, the Air Canada Foundation has raised more than $10 million for children and youth health and well-being

This year, the Air Canada Foundation raised a record of nearly $1.3 million during the 11th edition of its annual golf tournament. The event is the Air Canada Foundation's largest fundraising event each year to support charitable organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of children and youth in Canada.

"On behalf of the Air Canada Foundation, we thank the participants, sponsors and volunteers, who came together to support the Foundation. Your generous contributions will directly support thousands of children across the country by helping them to reach medical care that is not offered in their communities, by providing food security and by helping their dreams come true," said Priscille Leblanc, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation.

"This year's event would not have been possible without the dedication of Air Canada's employees who managed and hosted the tournament in its entirety.  We were also very pleased to showcase our employees' artistic talents in the evening concert show!" said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada. "I extend a heartfelt thank you to all volunteers, supporters and donors. With your partnership and generosity, the Air Canada Foundation continues its mission of helping children in need from coast to coast to coast."

Books and laptops donated by Long Eaton school flown to Ghana thanks to East Midlands Airport and DHL Express

A primary school in Bunkpurugu, Ghana, will receive a donation of books and laptops thanks to a joint initiative between East Midlands Airport and a Long Eaton based primary school.

A primary school in Bunkpurugu, Ghana, has received a donation of books and laptops thanks to a joint initiative between East Midlands Airport and a Long Eaton based primary school.

In 2015, English Martyrs’ School in Long Eaton launched a ‘Building Hope’ fundraising appeal to provide the Lady of Hope school in Bunkpurugu, Ghana, with new facilities. The school’s buildings were some of the worst in the country. By 2018, £13,415.00 had been raised and construction of new buildings started that year.

The Lady of Hope school now has some of the most modern facilities in Ghana. English Martyrs’ support continues, and, last week, the school sent more than 200 books and eight brand new laptops to Ghana.

But a stumbling block was getting the shipment to Ghana. However, thanks to the school’s relationship with East Midlands Airport (English Martyrs’ is a recent recipient of eco-garden funding), contact was made with DHL Express who came to the rescue and collected the shipment from Long Eaton and flew it to Ghana.

Mrs Jo Pettifer (Assistant Head – English Martyrs’), said: “We couldn’t be more grateful to the airport and cargo partner DHL Express for their help with our shipment. This means so much to the children here who are passionate about supporting this cause. Our books are surplus to requirement due to changes to the curriculum and what better way to recycle them than to send them to our friends in Bunkpurugu.”

Special Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight Departs Halifax

                                   This morning, the first Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight from Atlantic Canada since 2019 took off from Halifax International Airport with 144 children to Orlando to experience the trip-of-a-lifetime. Thanks to the numerous Air Canada employee volunteers, support of the Air Canada Foundation and the work by the Dreams Take Flight organization, eight flights operate annually, providing over 1000 children each year with an unforgettable day at a theme park in Florida or California.

The flight from Halifax left in the early hours of the morning and transported 144 kids to Orlando, accompanied by a crew of current and retired Air Canada employee volunteers focused on creating the most magical experience possible. By generously donating their time, pilots, flight attendants, maintenance engineers, and numerous other employees on the ground and behind the scenes offer children facing mental, physical, or social adversity the chance to take a break from their everyday to make memories and see new possibilities.

Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight return to skies with once-in-a-lifetime flights to help children make magical memories

Early this morning, Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight returned to the skies for the first time since 2020 with a plane load of children from Winnipeg to Florida to experience a trip of a lifetime. Thanks to generous volunteers, many Air Canada employees and retirees, the support of the Air Canada Foundation and the work by the Dreams Take Flight organization, eight flights will operate this year, making dreams come true for an estimated 1000 children with an unforgettable day at a theme park in Florida or California.

First Dreams Take Flight trip departing Canada since 2020

Eight flights will resume in 2023, taking place from April to November

Every year, Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight take children facing different challenges on the trip-of-a-lifetime.

The flight from Winnipeg left in the early hours of the morning and transported 110 kids to Orlando, accompanied by a crew of Air Canada employee volunteers focused on creating the most magical experience possible. By generously donating their time, pilots, flight attendants, maintenance engineers, and numerous other employees on the ground and behind the scenes offer children facing mental, physical, or social adversity the chance to take a break from their every day to make memories and see new possibilities.  

"These are children, who would likely never be able to take this trip if it were not for our program and the planes, would never get off the ground if it were not for our main sponsors and donors, like the Air Canada Foundation", said Bev Watson, President of Dreams Take Flight Canada. "Volunteers from Air Canada, family and friends, as well as the general public spend countless hours to ensure everything is done in preparation for each flight."

easyJet to support UNICEF’s Ukraine appeal this Easter.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to severely affect millions of children and families more than one year on, easyJet is relaunching an onboard appeal this Easter as part of its Change for Good partnership with UNICEF. 

The money raised will help UNICEF continue to provide critical supplies including clean water and sanitation, healthcare, education, mental health and psychosocial support and emergency cash assistance. UNICEF has also provided access to safe water, hygiene services and learning services to millions of children in conflict-affected areas and neighbouring countries.

Customers flying over the Easter break can help easyJet raise vital funds that will contribute towards UNICEF’s support to children and families affected by the war in Ukraine

easyJet customers have already raised over £800,000 towards providing clean water and sanitation supplies, healthcare, schooling and learning, mental health and psychosocial support and emergency cash assistance

easyJet’s cabin crew are collecting donations onboard all flights now until 16th April 2023 included

easyJet customers have already raised over £800,000 for UNICEF’s response including a record-breaking £616,000 in a single month for this appeal.

Around 3.7 million easyJet customers flying across 35 countries over the collection period, including the Easter holidays, will now be able to donate onboard in any currency, helping UNICEF meet the urgent and ongoing needs of children and families affected by this conflict.

easyJet cabin crew are now running the collection onboard all flights until 16th April 2023 included.

Michael Brown, Director of Cabin Services at easyJet said:  “UNICEF’s humanitarian response in Ukraine, with teams working around the clock to deliver urgent support, is providing a vital lifeline to children and families who have been affected as the war continues. As a pan-European airline operating thousands of flights across Europe, with the support of our customers we can together help make a real difference to children and their families in Ukraine by supporting UNICEF’s appeal.

“We would like to thank all of our customers in advance for any donations they can make and those who have donated so far for their kindness and generosity, as well as our fantastic crew who make this all possible.”

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive at The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) said: “The war is having a devastating impact on the security, health, and development of children. UNICEF and easyJet are working together to ensure that our emergency response teams can continue to reach children and families affected by the war in Ukraine to get urgent and critical support. By supporting UNICEF’s appeal, easyJet is helping to provide access to emergency supplies.  I would like to thank easyJet employees and customers for their generous support towards our work for children.”

easyJet and UNICEF partnered to launch their Change for Good partnership in 2012. Since then, easyJet’s customers and crew have raised over £16m in onboard donations, helping to protect millions of children around the world from disease and keep them safe during emergencies, including over £400,000 for children and their families affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria which has provided vital funds for UNICEF’s work in the region to protect the safety, health and welfare of children.

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Aviation Capital Group becomes a Gold Level sponsor of Airlink

Aviation Capital Group has confirmed its $50,000 sponsorship at the “Gold Level” to Airlink. Airlink is a rapid-response nonprofit organization that coordinates with airlines and non-governmental organizations (“NGOs”) to provide free airlift and logistical services to a network of over 150 humanitarian relief nonprofit organizations. Those NGOs support communities in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters worldwide, such as the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the Türkiye-Syria border on February 6, 2023.

“ACG’s core values are grounded in social responsibility, and we are extremely proud to support Airlink as a Gold Level sponsor,” said Mahoko Hara, Executive Chair of ACG.  “Airlink continues to demonstrate its effectiveness in bringing together unique capabilities of the global aviation community to NGO partners to rapidly provide critical relief to communities in desperate need.”

“We’re very proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Airlink in support of its work and for this opportunity to partner with them in supporting vulnerable communities globally,” said Gordon Grant, Vice President and Head of ESG at ACG.

“We are deeply grateful to Aviation Capital Group and their team for their generous support of Airlink and our critical mission,” said Steve Smith, Airlink President and CEO. “Whenever Airlink seeks assistance from the aviation industry to support humanitarian operations, the response is always positive, I feel very proud to be a part of such a dynamic and compassionate sector.”