HOUSTON – In two days, Lucas will celebrate his thirteenth birthday and for most of his birthdays, he has had the same big wish...to get an up-close look at an Airbus A380 - the world’s largest passenger airliner.
Officially Lucas is what people label, an “AV Geek.” Lucas loves all things aviation.
Born with congenital heart disease, Lucas has endured a fair bit of turbulence throughout his young life so when the opportunity came through Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana to tour United Airlines facilities at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Lucas was onboard.
“To spend time with a kid out of their environment when they are battling hospital visits and all of those things and you get to take them out of that element and show them the power of a wish, there is nothing like it,” said Shelly Millwee who is President and CEO, Make-a-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana.
United Airlines and Make-a-Wish have been partners for more than 30 years and have granted thousands of wishes to deserving kiddos across Houston and beyond.
From hanging out with pilots to heading behind the scenes to watch how United Airlines operates Lucas even took part in a live TV interview with us on KPRC 2 Plus.
Watch that video here…
From the crew quarters to the flight deck; Lucas had a VIP Boeing 787 experience, including a visit to the flight deck and a moment in the pilot’s seat.
Stopping by United’s Virtual Ramp Tower Lucas witnessed a special delivery land on runway 26L, his favorite plane, the Airbus A380.
Then it was time to visit the plane in real life!
The Emirates team welcomed Lucas aboard with open arms, walking him through the A380, showing him the flight deck, and letting him experience sitting in one of their first-class suites.
Lucas also got to walk around the plane with the captain and take a look at something he was most interested in – the landing gear!
When you wish for a plane, the sky is the limit.
Help Make-a-Wish and donate airline miles HERE.
Watch Lucas’ tour in the video above.