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The major US carriers are all getting into the holiday spirit in their own ways. On Wednesday, I wrote about United Airlines bringing joy to thousands of deserving children and their families through its Fantasy Flights to the North Pole. Yesterday, I covered Delta’s 100,000 Acts of Kindness to Celebrate the Holidays and 100 Years of Service. Now, American has announced that it has renewed its long-standing, 20-year partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation to support the 20th annual Snowball Express. The event is dedicated to honoring the families of fallen US military service members and first responders. The initiative remains one of the airline’s most meaningful philanthropic commitments and brings together thousands of families for a holiday experience designed to offer connection and remembrance.
Throughout two weeks in December, American will donate 16 charter aircraft and millions of AAdvantage® miles to bring more than 2,600 family members to Walt Disney World Resort for an all-expenses-paid visit. Participants will travel from 29 departure cities around the world (including locations across the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Germany, Guam, and beyond).
On December 6th, American will coordinate air and ground transportation for nearly 1,600 family members of fallen military heroes. Ten charter flights will depart from 21 cities to converge in Orlando for the start of the Snowball Express experience. One week later, on December 13th, six additional charter flights will bring approximately 1,000 family members of fallen first responders from eight departure points to Orlando International Airport (MCO).
More than 1,000 American Airlines team members contribute their time each year to support the Snowball Express. Pilots and flight attendants volunteer their days off to operate charter flights, while airport teams across the country coordinate heartfelt send-offs, themed gate celebrations, and memorable onboard experiences for participating families.
The event represents a powerful expression of American’s ongoing commitment to honoring the legacies of fallen heroes. By bringing families together during the holiday season, the airline helps create moments of comfort, community, and joy for those who have endured profound loss.
Randy Stillinger, American’s Manager of Military and Veterans Initiatives, said:
The mission of Snowball Express is to unite the families of the fallen and create new happy memories during the holiday season. This is just one of many ways American continues to honor the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Through our partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, we want to remind these families that their loved ones’ service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Anthony’s Take: The Snowball Express continues to grow in scope and impact. The partnership between American Airlines and the Gary Sinise Foundation has become an annual tradition as it unites service members’ and first responders’ families from around the globe for a week of support, gratitude, and shared memories.
(Image Credits: American Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
