Up, up and a sleigh!

Up, up and a sleigh!

In the days before Santa Claus undertook the world’s most extensive and widespread parcel delivery operation, he dropped into easyJet for more traditional airfreight activity.

The world’s most famous pilot prepared for his pre-Christmas flight check at easyJet HQ. Swapping sleigh and reindeer for an aircraft, Santa earned his wings as he took to the skies on an Airbus A320.

He crisscrossed Europe, surprising children and not a few parents, on over 100 selected flights during the Christmas season up to December 24, before he left to undertake his more traditional delivery work.

Claus, a pilot who has clocked up hundreds of thousands of air miles and has been flying for over 1,700 years, met some 20,000 passengers in advance of Christmas Day.

Air crew at the low-cost carrier were in on the surprise. easyJet cabin crew and staff rigged a plane with hidden cameras to capture the reactions of passengers as Captain Claus’ voice came over the tannoy and delivered presents to those on-board.

Tina Milton, head of cabin crew, easyJet says: “We fly millions of people home or on holiday over the Christmas period and we want to get the festive feeling started on board. We have hired the world’s most famous pilot to fly on over 100 selected flights and give over 20,000 passengers an incredible surprise.”

Picture of James Graham

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.

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