Flight takes kids to visit Santa at North Pole scene in transformed Denver airport hangar

DENVER (AP) — Dozens of kids cheered on a festively decked-out plane in Denver on Saturday when the pilot announced their destination for the day: the North Pole.

More than 100 children, some of whom have serious health issues, were then taken on a roughly 45-minute flight near the city before landing back at Denver International Airport and being towed to a hangar transformed by United Airlines employees and volunteers into the North Pole.

Streamers, paper snowflakes and tufts of cotton resembling feathery snow dotted the plane and seats. Flight personnel paraded a bubble machine up and down the aisle to shouts of “bubbles, bubbles, bubbles” from the excited children. Holiday songs played in the background and there were apple snacks and juice for all.

Before landing, the children were asked to close their window shades. When they opened, the kids were met by the sight of a waiting Santa and Mrs. Claus and a host of elves. An ice cream truck was on hand and the children received gifts.

Bryce Bosley, 6, was tickled to see Santa and all the North Pole had to offer.

“The North Pole is fun because there’s games, food, and all the activities are really fun,” he said.

United Capt. Bob Zimmermann, the holiday flight's pilot, was struck by the joy and wonder of the youngsters.

“Throughout the year I’ll think of the fantasy flight,” he said. “When life seems to get tough or I want to complain about something, I remember these kids and the joy and the love and what this feels like, and it just keeps my life in perspective.”

United partnered with Make-A-Wish Colorado, Girls Inc., Children’s Hospital Colorado and Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association to invite Denver-area kids ages 3 to 10 years on the flight.

For more than 30 years, United has staged its annual “fantasy flights” to fictional North Poles at airports around the world to bring holiday cheer to children and their families.

This year they took place in 13 cities, starting Dec. 5 in Honolulu and then in Washington, Houston, Los Angeles, London, Chicago, San Francisco, Tokyo, Cleveland and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and on the island of Guam. Newark, New Jersey, also had a flight Saturday.

Jonna McGrath, United's vice president for operations at its Denver hub, has participated in 29 flights and said it is one of her favorite days of the year.

“It gives them a day where they are away from some of the challenges they face in their day-to-day life,” said McGrath, who was dressed as an elf. “Bringing a little magic and some gifts to their holiday season is something they’ll never forget.”

Bohrer reported from Juneau, Alaska.

Captain Paul Purkey helps a participant navigate the stairs during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Boys and girls wave as they disembark from the train on their way to the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Flight attendant Dre Zulaica, right, of San Francisco, greets 7-year-old Greyson Thomas, of Denver, during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Twelve-year-old Adan Cervantes, center, of Denver, waves as he disembarks from a plane during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Flight attendant Kaori Kiguradze welcomes participants during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dressed in a Grinch costume, a flight attendant entertains passengers during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Flight attendant Dre Zulaica, front left, of San Francisco, greets a participant and her guardian during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Passengers in holiday garb wait to board an airplane during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A United Airlines employee dons holiday spectacles during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

United Airlines employees pose for a photograph as they wait for participants during the company's annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

People dressed as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus greet participants as they disembark from a plane during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A participant sprays bubbles during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Nine-year-old Rylan Hadad, left, walks with his mother, Eva, during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Twelve-year-old Adan Cervantes, left, waits to check in at the gate with the help of a flight attendant during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A flight attendant sprays bubbles during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Kaelee Thomas, right, takes a selfie with her 7-year-old son, Greyson, before take off during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Captain Paul Purkey, center, pins wings on participants during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Participants prepare for take off during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Participants deplane during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Flight attendant Gustavo Oliveira, center, juggles bubbles to entertain passengers during the United Airlines annual "fantasy flight" to a fictional North Pole at Denver International Airport, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — By adding Dennis Schroder, the Golden State Warriors believe they have found the perfect backcourt mate to complement Stephen Curry.

Curry can't wait to get going in what he expects to be a “seamless transition for him.”

“It can help me, it can help us,” Curry said. “What helps me helps us.”

Golden State landed Schroder in a trade with Brooklyn finalized Sunday that sends injured guard De’Anthony Melton and guard Reece Beekman to the Nets.

The Warriors are looking forward to seeing Schroder on both ends, attacking the basket and bringing a much-needed intense defensive dynamic.

“I just love his competitive nature, he's got that Dawg in him and you can kind of tell,” Curry said. “He doesn't talk that much but he's very animated and I've never not seen him in the moment trying to rip-your-head-off type vibe. I like that.”

Schroder is expected to join the team Monday to undergo his physical and have a couple of practices ahead of Thursday's game at Memphis.

“I’m thrilled. I told Dennis today he’s kicked my (butt) on three different continents,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “You can’t beat ‘em, join ’em — ’22 playoffs I thought he was brilliant against us with the Lakers. Watching him in FIBA the last two summers, Philippines and we played them in London in an exhibition game. He’s a gamer, he’s a competitor, pick-and-roll player, two-way player.”

Kerr said he and his staff will discuss Schroder's role but considers him a likely starter considering “we've been changing our starting lineup almost nightly, searching.”

The trade was agreed to Saturday. League rules didn't allow the trade to become official until Sunday, when Melton's contract became eligible to be moved.

Also in the trade: a slew of second-round draft picks. Golden State will receive a second-rounder next year (a top-37-protected pick that originally belonged to Miami) and Brooklyn gets three second-rounders — in 2026 and 2028 (both via Atlanta) and Golden State's pick in 2029.

Schroder averaged 18.4 points and 6.6 assists this season for the Nets, who are 10th in the Eastern Conference. But the trade doesn't give them much in the way of on-court help this year: Melton is out for the remainder of the season while recovering from surgery to repair his left ACL.

“Losing Melt was a huge loss,” Kerr said. “I want to say thanks to De'Anthony and Reece Beekman for everything — their contributions, their commitment, their effort. It's always hard to trade guys and we wish them both well. But you've got to do what you've got to do to get better and this was a move that we felt made perfect sense, so he will fill what Melt was doing for us in terms of being able to play on or off the ball, excellent defender, long wingspan. He's a steals guy, forced turnovers, pace, everything that we need we feel like he can provide.”

Beekman scored two points in two appearances with Golden State this season.

The move gives the Warriors, who enter Sunday fifth in the Western Conference at 14-10, another shooter to pair alongside all-time 3-point leader Curry. Schroder is making 2.5 3-pointers per game this season and shooting 39% from beyond the arc — both career bests.

Golden State becomes Schroder's eighth team in 12 NBA seasons. He had stints with Atlanta, Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston, Toronto and Houston before joining the Nets. He also helped lead Germany to the 2023 Basketball World Cup title.

“It's a great pickup for the Warriors,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said, “a veteran who understands how to win.”

AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this story.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Brooklyn Nets' Dennis Schroder reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Brooklyn Nets' Dennis Schroder, left, looks to shoots over Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)