By Shawn Chitnis

DENVER (CBS4) – Dozens of children and their family members were treated to a special flight to “The North Pole” Saturday on a United Airlines flight at Denver International Airport as an annual tradition to get the community in the holiday spirit and provide those in need with presents for Christmas.

(credit: CBS)

“What did we come to do today Amari? We came to see Santa,” Joella Baumann said to her son.

Nearly 100 children arrived at DIA waiting inside the main terminal that morning so they could make their way through security and to their gate for a special nonstop flight from Denver to the home of Santa Claus. Just like any other flight, they went through TSA screening and took the train to the B Concourse. Waiting for them at Gate B39 were dozens of United employees volunteering their time to help make the occasion special for all the families participating this year.

“Did you meet Santa?” Baumann said to her son. “Yes,” replied Amari Blue.

(credit: CBS)

They boarded the plane decorated with Christmas lights and wrapping along with the ramp and the area by the gate. A live band even played holiday music while they prepared for their flight. The plane took off and flew over Colorado for a little more than an hour. Passengers were treated to “Happy Meals” from McDonald’s and even had on-board visitors like Frosty The Snowman. Before landing, the pilot announced they were passing over “Canada” and that they needed to close all of their window covers in order to have permission to enter “The North Pole” and see Santa Claus.

(credit: CBS)

“I think it’s unforgettable, something that he is going to remember forever,” said Baumann.

“Twas the Flight before Christmas” features children from Make a Wish Colorado, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Best Buddies, Warren Village and military families from Buckley Air Force Base.

For many of the children participating in the event, it was the first time they had ever traveled on a plane. Once the flight, Snowflake One, had landed and taxied to their final destination, the families were greeted by many of the same volunteers along with others there to welcome them.

(credit: CBS)

“It was so fun, I didn’t expect them, for all the things we go to do today,” Baumann added. “They went all out and it’s so often they are doing this for the kids.”

Inside what looked a lot like a United hangar, the children were split up into groups to meet Santa and receive presents. The band was back for more music and there were treats for everyone to enjoy while they spent time with many of their favorite holiday characters.

(credit: CBS)

“It’s really invaluable just to have someone provide us with presents and for him to be able to have those for Christmas,” Baumann said. “It was just really touching that so many people took a part of this.”

TOGETHER 4 COLORADO: Latest Stories | Watch ‘Together With Karen Leigh’ | Share A Together 4 Colorado Story Idea With CBS4

United has provided this holiday experience for more than 30 years in Denver. The airline says more than 100 volunteers make it happen each year.

(credit: CBS)

“I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, my son definitely feels special,” said Baumann.

Shawn Chitnis reports weeknights for CBS4 News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Email him story ideas at smchitnis@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter or Facebook.

Budget travelers might have another option to fly to Europe for less with United Airlines basic economy. While United has been offering discount fares across the Atlantic for part of 2018, the new trans-Atlantic basic economy fares replace the current “First Checked Bag Charge/No Changes Allowed” fares on December 11, 2018.

This new fare type continues to have the -LGT fare basis code. United also mentions the change helps align their offerings with trans-Atlantic partners Air Canada and Lufthansa.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS / USA – March 10, 2018: A United Airlines passenger aircraft – Boeing 777 – arriving at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on a sunny morning. photo credit: GettyGetty

What Comes with Trans-Atlantic United Airlines Basic Economy?

Since June 2018, United has been offering discount trans-Atlantic flights where you can bring a carry-on, but have to pay to check a bag if you don’t hold a co-branded United card that waives the baggage fee. 

While you can book a cheaper flight, this fare comes with some strings attached. These are some of the restrictions you should know about:

• No free checked bag (must pay $60 for the first bag and $100 for the second bag)
• Non-refundable and non-changeable after the first 24 hours from purchase
• Seats assigned either at check-in or at the gate (you can purchase a seat before check-in)
• Not eligible for any premium cabin or Economy Plus upgrades

One benefit of flying United is that you still avoid the fuel surcharges that international airlines charge. Plus, you can also check-in online using the United app. This is different from other United Basic Economy fares where your only check-in option is in-person.

Get One Full-Size Carry-On and One Personal Item

With these basic economy flights, you can bring one full-sized carry-on bag and one personal item. If you don’t need to check a bag, this can be a cheaper option.

You also have access to in-flight wifi, entertainment, dining options, and services that other economy passengers have access to.

Receive Premier Qualifying Credit

Unlike domestic basic economy flights, you can earn premier qualifying credit on these flights:

• Full Premier Qualifying Dollars (PQD)
• 50% Premier Qualifying Miles (PQM)
• 0.5 Accrual for Premier Qualifying Segments (PQS)

MileagePlus members will also earn frequent flyer miles for these and other basic economy flights.

Trans-Atlantic Basic Economy vs Basic Economy

This version of United Basic Economy is better than domestic and short-haul international flights.

Here are a few reasons why:

• Allowed one full-size carry-on bag
• Can earn Premier benefits
• Won’t necessarily be in the last boarding group
• Online and mobile app check-in is available

If you want to enjoy Premier benefits and upgrades, you should still pay extra for a regular or premium economy seat. But, if you want to take a trip on the cheap using a legacy carrier, you might like this new fare option.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – United Airlines is eliminating its three-times daily service between Cleveland and Boston in March — just in time for Delta Air Lines to add the route.

United’s Cleveland-to-Boston service goes away March 7. Meanwhile, Delta’s three-times-daily route begins on April 1, according to announcements from both airlines.

The Delta flights will be on 76-seat Embraer aircraft, with 12 first-class seats, 20 comfort-plus seats and 44 seats in the main cabin, according to the airline. Final details on the schedule will be released on December 22, when the route goes on sale.

Two other carriers, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines, also fly between Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Boston Logan. Both JetBlue and Spirit entered the Cleveland market shortly after United pulled its hub here in 2014, launching service to Boston and other markets, and bringing down fares.

JetBlue, the predominant carrier on the route, has three daily flights to the Massachusetts capital, which will increase to four (on most days) in early May. Spirit flies the route seasonally, with daily service resuming in May.

In a statement, United said: “Boston and Cleveland continue to be important destinations in United’s route network. We continuously monitor business and leisure demand across the system and during the most recent review made the difficult decision to discontinue service on the Cleveland-Boston route effective March 7, 2019. Today’s announcement does not change United’s plans to expand Cleveland service to nine popular business and leisure destinations this winter.”

The elimination of Boston leaves United with 15 destinations from Cleveland. That’s down from a high of 59 in early 2014.

Because of the competition on the Boston route, fares have dropped by more than 40 percent in recent years, which may be why United decided to exit the route. According to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the average one-way fare on the route is $174, down from $299 in 2013.

United spokesman Jonathan Guerin said that even with the elimination of the Boston route, United seat capacity from Cleveland in March 2019 will be 11 percent higher than in March 2018. That’s a result of increases in flights to several cities in Florida, Los Angeles and San Francisco, plus the use of larger aircraft to hubs in Houston, Denver and Washington, D.C.

Total number of seats on United departures from Cleveland is up more than 13 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to fourth quarter of 2017, he said.

The Delta announcement is part of a broader expansion in Boston, which includes numerous new routes to Europe, including flights to London, Dublin, Lisbon and other cities.

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) – United Airlines is giving hope this Christmas to children who need it the most. Across the country, United employees are filling airport gates with holiday cheer for children fighting to stay alive.

The kids have the very special opportunity to visit Santa at the North Pole, including 7-year-old Henry Glassman.

“It’s pretty cool. I’m excited to go somewhere I’ve never been,” he said.

He says he is very excited to meet Santa.

Henry and all the children at Dulles are survivors, overcoming special needs, poverty or illness.

“I feel good,” he said ahead of the flight.

Henry’s mom Gina Glassman says her son has had an uphill battle with cancer.

“In September 2017, he was diagnosed with high-risk Neuroblastoma and so he has gone through five rounds of chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants, 28 days of radiation and five rounds of immunotherapy,” she said.

United transformed its concourse at Dulles International Airport into a winter wonderland.

“It makes us feel good. It’s so amazing the number of folks out there who are supporting us in so many ways and this is just the icing on the cake. It’s been a long road for us so far and he is so excited to be joining this flight,” said Henry’s dad Jon Glassman.

Old and young alike boarded the plane headed to the North Pole.

“The message is to make sure that we help the community and we reach out to local hospitals and  we get kids with life threatening illnesses where they can come out an enjoy a special day way from their every day hospital visits,” said Susanne Caraffa, customer service director for United Airlines.

The day was a brief reprieve for nearly 200 children on board the bowing 777 aircraft for the 45-minute flight across the nation’s capital to the North Pole.

“It’s a magical day, it puts smiles on their faces and they’re just filled with spirit and they’re excited to be here to see Santa,” said Caraffa.

Popular TV and storybook characters greeted the young passengers as they received a rock star welcome with special guests including the Minions, Santa Claus, Mrs. Clause and Elmo.

This same magic is happening at 16 different United airport gates nationwide and across the globe.