A JUMBO jet will be turned into a winter wonderland for families to meet Santa Claus and his elves this Christmas.
A preserved former British Airways Boeing 747 will become a Santa’s grotto unlike any other which people can visit between November 25 and Christmas Eve at Cotswold Airport.
Guests with their own boarding passes and customised ‘North Pole Passports’ will pass through the naughty or nice security check-in and then be seated in Premium Economy for an in-flight elf-and-safety briefing hosted by mischievous head elf Peppermint.
They will then move through the festively-decorated aircraft – which will have snow, real Christmas trees and a Northern Lights-style display on-board – to meet Father Christmas in his office for photos and a group storytime session by the fire.
Children will leave the 'flight before Christmas' with a book and a packet of reindeer food.
As everyone disembarks, they will meet Mrs Claus in a full-size gingerbread house, where they can decorate their own gingerbread to take home.
On the way out, families will pass the elves who are hard at work assembling presents in the Toy Factory.
Each child will have the chance to pick a teddy bear, build it and take it home while adults will receive a mince pie and hot mulled wine.
Director Bethyn Barrass said: “As event entertainment specialists, at Odin, we love creating show-stopping experiences.
“This is a truly unique festive experience that the whole family will enjoy. It’s a great way to kick off our three-year partnership with Cotswold Airport”.
Cotswold Airport CEO Suzannah Harvey added: ““We’re thrilled Father Christmas will be visiting us this Christmas on Negus 747 at Cotswold Airport.
“It’s the first time he’s been on a 747 and we hope he enjoys the upgrade from his usual sleigh.
“Father Christmas has plenty of special and exciting things planned on Negus 747, and we look forward to welcoming all the families and children for this truly unique Grotto experience“.
Tickets are now on sale at www.theflightbeforechristmas.com
After September 19, tickets will be £20 per adult and £35 per child. There will be an option to pay over two instalments if tickets are purchased before Friday September 30.
The British Airways’ G-CIVB Boeing 747 ‘Negus’ has been based at Cotswold Airport since October 2020 after it was decommissioned from service in early 2020.
The experience does not involve flying.
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