The Snowball Express will leave Saturday with three families of fallen military heroes to an all-expense paid trip to Orlando. American Airlines has been a part of Snowball Express since 2006, creating happy memories for the children of fallen military heroes during the holiday season.

American Airlines, as the Presenting Sponsor of Snowball Express, donated 11 charter aircraft plus over 700 additional tickets on regularly-scheduled flights to bring over 2,000 children and their guardians to Orlando. Families are coming from over 500 cities, and as far away as Guam, Japan and Togo, West Africa for five fun-filled days of inspiration and enjoyment. This will be the largest Snowball Express yet.

The Gary Sinise Foundation team, along with volunteers across the nation, and over 1,000 American Airlines’ team members, have come together to make this annual all-expenses-paid trip to one of the happiest and magical places on earth: Disney World. This trip is meant to provide a few days of inspiration, enjoyment and an opportunity to be with other families whose loved ones lost their lives while serving our country.

The families will depart Wichita at 10:20 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Media wishing to have access to American’s gate must call the Airport Administration at (316) 946-4700 no later than 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1 with their full name and date of birth and may report to American’s ticket counter on Saturday at 9 a.m. to retrieve their gate pass.

American Airlines Communications Contacts:

- Curtis Blessing – [email protected], (817) 291-2962
- Gianna Urgo – [email protected], (817) 313-7482