On Sunday, British Airways and UK-based charity Dreamflight set off on their 34th annual holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida with over 190 deserving children. Dreamflight supports children between 14-18 across the UK with a serious illness or disability.
On Monday (October 17, 2022), British Airways announced the departure of their annual flight to Orlando in collaboration with the UK-based charity, Dreamflight, which took off on Sunday, October 16, 2022 for Orlando with 190 deserving children. Dreamflight supports children across the UK aged 8-14 with a serious illness or disability, offering a holiday of a lifetime. Sunday’s flight was extra-special, as Dreamflight was unable to depart over the last two years due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. British Airways and Dreamflight have collaborated over the last 34 years to run the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Orlando, Florida, the amusement park capital of the world.
In Monday’s announcement, British Airways’ Director of Sustainability, Carrie Harris, said,
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring back Dreamflight for its 34th annual trip. It is always one of the highlights of our year, with many of our colleagues volunteering their time to support. I want to thank them for helping to make this possible. Hearing how much the Dreamflight experience means to the children and their families means it’s a real honour to be able to help create memories that will last forever.”
Also commenting on what the Dreamflight means to participants, Paralympic gold-medal swimmer and Dreamflight patron, Liz Johnson, said,
“This is a full circle moment to be a part of Dreamflight, having joined the trip as a child myself in 1997. Getting to see the younger generation have these opportunities feels so special and I want to empower them to achieve anything they put their minds to.”
British Airways’ Captain Philip Ticehurst, operator of the charter flight, added,
“We’re so happy to be back with Dreamflight again this year. This is my 16th time captaining the Dreamflight charter and I couldn’t be more honoured. It is such a humbling experience to be flying these children on their trip of a lifetime. They are an inspiration to all of us.”
Dreamflight VIP's Join Co-Founder Patricia Pearce MBE for a Pre-Departure Party With Entertainment Provided by the RAF Air Cadets Marching Band - Courtesy British Airways
Many of the children on Sunday’s Dreamflight have never experienced a holiday, let alone a trip abroad, due to the complexities involved with their illnesses. To ensure their care, participants are accompanied 24-hour a day by volunteer doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, with extra support from British Airways’ cabin crew and pilots. As part of the special sendoff this year, British Airways and Dreamflight hosted a special party at one of the airline’s Heathrow hangars, with entertainment courtesy of the RAF Air Cadets Marching Band, and tens of police puppies. Once in Orlando, the children will enjoy eight magical days in the Sunshine State, including visits to Universal Studios and other Florida attractions. The Dreamflight charity was co-founded by British Airways’ cabin crew member, Patricia Pearce MBE, and since 1987 has carried over 6,200 deserving children on an incredible trip to Orlando.
Source: British Airways