A giant blue Genie emerged in Seattle on Friday — not from a golden lamp, but on the side of a brightly painted aircraft — to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Alaska Airlines introduced its “Spirit of Make-A-Wish” aircraft, adorned with the image of the wish-granting Genie from Disney’s “Aladdin” and the Make-A-Wish-Foundation® logo, to a group of eager Make-A-Wish children at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The uniquely painted Boeing 737-400 celebrates the long-term partnership between the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Alaska Airlines and Disneyland Resorts to make wishes come true for sick children.

“We are very excited to unveil the ‘Spirit of Make-A-Wish’ aircraft, which solidifies our important relationship with Alaska Airlines and Disneyland while spreading the magic of the Make-A-Wish mission everywhere it flies,” said Andrew Asato, executive director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon.

The “Spirit of Make-A-Wish” aircraft was welcomed to the gate by six Make-A-Wish children who are on their way to the Disneyland Resort to have their wishes granted, two of which were from the Oregon chapter.  Three-year-old Lizbeth, of Hillsboro, couldn’t wait to meet Mickey and Minnie on her wish, and Washougal 5-year-old Kaden was excited to meet Buzz Lightyear at his theme park visit. 

The aircraft also was welcomed by the children’s families, Disney’s Genie character, and leaders from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Disneyland Resorts and Alaska Airlines, as travelers looked on and applauded from the terminal.

Visit this link to view time-lapse video of the painting of the aircraft.

Turn Miles into Smiles!

When Make-A-Wish® volunteers ask a child for his or her favorite wish, very often the response begins with “I wish to go….” In fact, more than 80 percent of all wishes granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon involve destination travel.

On average, the Oregon chapter sends 50 families per year on Alaska Airlines flights to destinations across the country, using either donated or purchased tickets.  If you are an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member, you can help decrease the chapter’s need to purchase airfare by donating your frequent flier miles directly to local children’s wishes. 

Visit our Web site to donate your unused miles to Foundation, or call (800) 934-WISH, ext. 27.