American Airlines and Make-A-Wish surprised over 20 critically ill children by handing them a six-day trip to Walt Disney World with their families. The "Wish Flight" will depart Dallas/Fort Worth on April 17, headed for Orlando.

American and Make-A-Wish Disney World surprise

The US carrier and children's charity Make-A-Wish North Texas have revealed their latest collaboration to bring joy into the lives of children suffering from terminal conditions. As reported by CBS News, the Wish children and their families were summoned to American's HQ at Crandall Campus in Fort Worth for "an event" - while the parents had been informed beforehand, the kids didn't realize there was a surprise in store.

The kids were then able to meet pilots and flight attendants to get their photos taken, while families also met with one another. Before the Wish flight next month, American Airlines plans to host a big party at the gate in DFW.

Wish flights

Wish children and their families will leave for Orlando on April 17th out of AA's Dallas/Forth Worth hub. The flight itself will not be a regular passenger flight, with the aircraft reserved only for Wish families.

Make-A-Wish North Texas says it will grant around 630 wishes to children this year, with almost 1,200 more on the waitlist. The charity has been working together with American Airlines for over three decades. Last year, 26 Wish children embarked on their "Best Flight Ever" from New York to Orlando to visit Walt Disney World - the inflight entertainment (IFE) was unique, to say the least, featuring an appearance by actor Michael James Scott (starring as the Genie in Disney's Aladdin musical) and all kinds of interactive games.