JetBlue joins with Little Free Library to take ‘Soar with Reading’ initiative to Puerto Rico

                                 JetBlue has launched its fourteenth annual Soar with Reading initiative, this year in partnership with Little Free Library, with a commemorative book-sharing event at Centro Tau Community Center in Loíza, Puerto Rico. Proud to be Puerto Rico’s largest airline, JetBlue together with Little Free Library have placed seven library book-sharing boxes across Puerto Rico, creating increased access to literature for all ages.

"We are excited to bring our beloved Soar with Reading program to the island for the first time, helping connect more youth with the joys of reading and imagination," said Icema Gibbs, vice president of CSR and DEI, JetBlue. “With seven physical Little Free Library book-sharing boxes placed within key community centres across Puerto Rico, we demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to valuable educational resources for our crewmembers, customers and the communities we serve.”

Since 2015, JetBlue’s award-winning Soar with Reading initiative has tackled the issue of book availability in underserved communities where access to age-appropriate books for children is often limited. JetBlue and Little Free Library book-sharing boxes or ‘libraries’ are now available to residents within Puerto Rico’s Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan communities. Each time someone visits a book-sharing box, they will have the opportunity to both leave and take home an assortment of new books, completely free of charge. The libraries, housed within local, high-traffic community centres, hold a varied selection of titles in both English and Spanish and allow visitors the opportunity to browse and choose a book with representative titles, authors, as well as suggested reading levels. To date, JetBlue, through its Soar with Reading initiative, has donated more than $4 million worth of books to children in need.

25 years of help alliance: Lufthansa Airbus takes off in fall with special ’helping hands’ livery

Exactly 25 years ago, Lufthansa Group employees in Frankfurt am Main founded the Help Alliance, Lufthansa Group’s aid organization. To mark this anniversary, Europe’s largest aviation company is sending a clear sign of support across the continent: an Airbus A321neo with the lettering ’help alliance’ and many colourful “helping hands” will be flying in Lufthansa’s European route network from autumn.

The aircraft with the help alliance sticker pays tribute to all the people who have shown great commitment to the aid organization over the past 25 years and collects donations. Those who hurry can symbolically leave a colourful handprint on the plane. There is space for a total of 300 handprints on the aircraft - they can be purchased at helpalliance.org. The money will be used to provide children in Africa and India with school books and meals, among other things.

Lufthansa Airbus takes off in fall with special ’helping hands’ livery

Exactly 25 years ago, Lufthansa Group employees in Frankfurt am Main founded the Help Alliance, Lufthansa Group’s aid organization. To mark this anniversary, Europe’s largest aviation company is sending a clear sign of support across the continent: an Airbus A321neo with the lettering ’help alliance’ and many colourful “helping hands” will be flying in Lufthansa’s European route network from autumn.

The aircraft with the help alliance sticker pays tribute to all the people who have shown great commitment to the aid organization over the past 25 years and collects donations. Those who hurry can symbolically leave a colourful handprint on the plane. There is space for a total of 300 handprints on the aircraft - they can be purchased at helpalliance.org. The money will be used to provide children in Africa and India with school books and meals, among other things.

Vivian Spohr, patroness of Help Alliance, says:  “It makes me proud and grateful that Lufthansa is sending out a strong and highly visible signal on the 25th anniversary of Help Alliance. The aid organization would be inconceivable without people who care for those who need support - either actively in projects around the world or as donors. The ”helping hands“ on the plane are a tribute to their great work. Every donation helps to give children all over the world a better future. With help alliance, we are taking responsibility - in the past and in the future, because we still have a lot to do.”

Interested parties can find more information and make a donation on the Help Alliance website. Link to the donation website: Helping Hands - help alliance

About Help Alliance:

help alliance was founded in 1999 by dedicated Lufthansa employees in order to bundle the commitment of many individual coworkers. To date, the organization has developed into a driving force and central pillar of the social commitment of the entire Lufthansa Group. With a focus on education, training and work, the help alliance is currently involved in over 60 projects in 29 countries, working together with competent local partners and using the strengths of the Lufthansa Group to create future prospects for children, young people and young adults.

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London Gatwick charity funding helps East Surrey Hospital

A new outdoor space for cancer patients at East Surrey Hospital has opened, with help from funding secured by a London Gatwick colleague.  

London Gatwick security officer, Scott Houghton, nominated SASH Charity (the charity for East Surrey Hospital and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust) to receive funding from the VINCI UK Foundation to build the summerhouse at the MacMillan Cancer Centre.  

London Gatwick contributes to the VINCI UK Foundation each year, which supports projects that promote social cohesion and fight exclusion.  The projects are sponsored by colleagues as part of a wider VINCI network initiative to promote work in local communities. 

The cancer centre at East Surrey Hospital provides a range of holistic support to people and their families from across Surrey and Sussex who are receiving cancer treatment. The new garden summerhouse will provide a quiet outdoor space away from a clinical setting to allow private conversations or quiet time in the garden. 

The VINCI UK Foundation provided £5,000 of funding towards the summerhouse following Scott’s nomination. 

Scott Houghton, Security Officer, London Gatwick said: “My son previously received treatment at East Surrey Hospital and since then I have supported SASH with fundraising and recently with the support grant from the VINCI UK Foundation. “The centre provides a vital bridge between the clinical care provided in hospitals and supporting people in the community. The new summerhouse will help the cancer centre team to use the centre’s spaces more flexibly, and to provide support in a new environment, as well as directly increasing the access available to the community for less formal meetings and support groups.” 

Aviation Capital Group announces silver level Airlink sponsorship

Aviation Capital Group, a premier global full-service aircraft asset manager, announced its $25,000 sponsorship at the “Silver Level” to Airlink. Airlink is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization delivering critical aid to communities in crisis by providing free airlift and logistical solutions to vetted nonprofit partners, changing how the humanitarian community responds to disasters worldwide. Its network includes over 200 aid organizations and more than 50 commercial and charter airlines. Since its inception in 2010, Airlink has flown over 12,500 relief workers and transported nearly 17,000,000 pounds of humanitarian cargo, directly helping over 59 million people impacted by natural and man-made disasters.

“We are thrilled to announce our sponsorship of Airlink,” said Gordon Grant, Vice President and Head of ESG at ACG. “By continuing to support Airlink’s humanitarian efforts, we are investing in a brighter future for those in need and reaffirming our dedication to fostering compassion, hope, and lasting change."

“Aviation Capital Group's sponsorship underscores the importance of strong partnerships within the aviation industry. Consistent, annual support is vital for Airlink, enabling us to sustain our long-term programs and support communities in crisis, not just during sudden-onset disasters. With ACG's ongoing commitment, we can enhance our preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring we are always ready to deliver critical aid when it is needed most,” says Steven J. Smith, Airlink President & CEO.

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United Teams Up with Chicago Bears to Support Special Olympics

United teamed up with the Chicago Bears today at O'Hare International Airport to support Special Olympics, Inc. ("Special Olympics"). Chicago Bears Tight End Cole Kmet worked alongside the airline's Special Olympics Service Ambassadors for the day to help drive awareness of the organization's travel needs.

United launched the Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) Program in 2019, inviting Special Olympics athletes to work in airports as part-time employees. These employees welcome United customers, helping them locate check-in kiosks, showing them where to drop bags and also how to find TSA PreCheck lines. Beyond the lobby, SOSAs also help travelers with wayfinding, gate recovery, and assist with Agent on Demand. To-date, there are currently 18 SOSA workers at United hubs in Chicago, Houston, Denver and Washington, D.C., with further expansions to follow this year in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airline has also sponsored Special Olympics Plane Pull^® competitions, supported local volunteer events and on a global level, the Special Olympics World Games.

Last year, 4,000 Special Olympics athletes, coaches, Unified partners, and staff from North America traveled across the country and around the globe for sport and educational development, athletic competitions and leadership events. United supports Special Olympics by providing travel to the organization while encouraging its loyalty program members to donate their unused miles through the airline's industry-leading crowdsourcing program, Miles on a Mission. In addition, United's role as a sponsor of Special Olympics' annual Capitol Hill Day events helped to ensure that 49 Special Olympics Programs from 47 states had the opportunity to participate in more than 300 vital meetings between athletes and lawmakers in Washington, DC. Since 2017, United has contributed more than $8.5 million in travel miles and cash to support Special Olympics athletes.

Airlink, Amerijet, Food For The Poor, and Heart to Heart Partnership Send Hygiene Kits to Haiti

Hygiene kits from Food For The Poor (FFTP) Food For The Poor (FFTP) partner Heart to Heart International were flown to Haiti through a humanitarian air bridge in partnership with Airlink in response to a worsening humanitarian crisis and a desperate need for everyday necessities. Included were eight pallets containing 3,600 hygiene kits.

The goods were flown to Port-au-Prince by Airlink through their donor Amerijet on a cargo plane from Miami International Airport. Airlink is a nonprofit that provides 200-plus vetted nongovernment organizations with free transport for responders and emergency supplies in response to disasters and humanitarian crises.

In April, FFTP received nearly 20,000 hygiene kits in drawstring bags from Lenexa, Kan.-based Heart to Heart International, a longtime partner, to support FFTP’s response to the crisis in Haiti.

Additional Airlink flights to Haiti are planned with the potential to ship additional aid from FFTP and its partners.

According to FFTP President and CEO Ed Raine, hygiene supplies such as soap, toothpaste, and shampoo are desperately needed. They can make a world of difference for many families displaced in Haiti.

“This partnership is an extraordinary moment,” Raine said. “We’re grateful to Heart to Heart International, Airlink, and Amerijet for helping us make this possible.”

Heart to Heart International has worked with the Haitian people for many years to improve health access. “The current situation in Haiti is tragic and challenging, and we firmly believe everyone deserves access to basic necessities and health care,”  said Heart to Heart International CEO Kim Carroll. “That’s why we are truly grateful to partner with Food For The Poor and Airlink to deliver critical hygiene supplies to those in need in Haiti. These basic yet essential items will help displaced families maintain their health and well-being.”

GE Aerospace Foundation's $1 Million Pledge to Airlink to Strengthen Disaster Response Efforts Worldwide

Today, disaster logistics nonprofit Airlink received a $1 million donation from the GE Aerospace Foundation, emphasizing their shared commitment to leveraging aviation for humanitarian purposes. Established in 2010, Airlink is a nonprofit organization providing free air transport and logistical coordination for a pre-screened network of over 200 nonprofits, aiding in delivering disaster responders and aid supplies to areas affected by global humanitarian crises. 

The GE Aerospace Foundation, an independent charitable organization funded by GE Aerospace, made the donation at the formal launch of the Foundation during a press conference in Cincinnati.

“Our Foundation’s new commitment reflects our belief in aviation’s ability to do good, to save lives and rebuild communities," said GE Aerospace Foundation President Meghan Thurlow. "We are proud to partner with Airlink to help lift people up in communities around the world, providing supplies and support when they are needed most.” 

Airlink's work extends to humanitarian crises across the globe, from rapid-onset disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes to ongoing crises such as refugee emergencies. In 2023 alone, Airlink directly assisted over 12.5 million people in the aftermath of disasters, including the war in Ukraine, Turkey-Syria earthquakes, food insecurity across Sub-Saharan Africa, an outbreak of cholera in Haiti, and hurricanes and wildfires in the US. 

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.”