The Flight Before Christmas, Santa Grotto experience at Cotswold Airport was amazing last year and it returns for 2024.  Held on a British Airways jumbo jet plane, the airport is just outside Kemble and not far from Cirencester.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on 29th February 2024 – ticket booking link here

Perfect for the whole family, The Flight Before Christmas takes place on board a British Airways jumbo jet.  It’s a unique theatrical experience, and consists of interactive elements throughout, workshops and a visit to Father Christmas for a story time session.

New for 2024

The Flight Before Christmas has been fully revamped, including new characters, activites and completely new sections to immerse yourself in for a magical Christmas family experience. With the new activities, the experience time has been increased to 1 hour 30 minutes.

The Flight Before Christmas Experience

• A video invitation from Father Christmas (not personalised)
• Boarding pass and passport issued at check-in in a The Flight Before Christmas branded bag
• Reindeer food making in Odin’s forge
• Letter to Father Christmas stationary set
• Candy can from the candy cane forest
• Teddy bear making activity in the toy factory
• Gingerbread biscuit decorating activity in Buckthorne’s Bakery
• Gift from Father Christmas
• Wish token

Adults aren’t left out either and will enjoy a mince pie, mulled wine and gift from Father Christmas

You will also receive a printed photo of your family with Father Christmas per booking (additional prints will be available to purchase on the day)

Northern Lights Sessions – Dedicated SEN Focused Sessions

The experienced is altered where possible to be more enjoyable for those who need a little more space and time. This includes the experience being taken at a relaxed pace, lights and sounds are dimmed where possible and the characters have a more calming approach.  One free carer ticket available per booking with proof of PIP or DLA required.

Priority Tickets Holders

The chance to board Negus 747 first and receive your elf and safety briefing in business class, where you will receive an exclusive elf entertainment session, in-flight treat and priority booking gift.

Flight Before Christmas Santa Grotto Review 2024

We loved our magical experience on the Flight Before Christmas at Cotswold Airport. Ranked no.2 in the Times of the 7 Best Festive Days Out in the UK we were so excited to return this year.

The adventure begins at the Elf Control Check In, where we picked up our boarding pass and North Pole Passport. Next you pass through the naughty or nice security check-in scanner, luckily it lit up green for us but there were a few parents who had been naughty and had to do a little dance.

We took our seats and the elves gave us a safety briefing, in case of an emergency, fairy just will drop from overhead!

Next, we followed Peppermint to help find some missing gifts in the parcel bay until we ha a call from Odin, the head reindeer keeper who needed our help.

In the Forge, the children mixed magical fairy dust and oats to create the perfect reindeer food to help ensure Odin and his team of reindeer can deliver presents on time.  Lovely to have a little hands on activity before meeting Father Christmas.

After your hard work with Odin is complete we knocked on the big red door and met Father Christmas himself!  Santa was wonderful with the most amazing beard.  The children all took a seat while he chatted to them and then we had the chance to pose for a photo.  There’s a helpful elf on hand who will take family photos with your camera / phone so you don’t have to pay for a photo at the end.

As disembarking from the aircraft, we stepped into Candy Cane Forest and settled down in the woodland clearing and watch a short cartoon about how Negus and Father Christmas became a team and worked together to save last Christmas.

Next it was on to decorating gingerbread men and adults could pause an enjoy a mulled wine and  mince pie.  Just when you think that might be it, your help is needed at the toy factory.

Choose a teddy bear, stuff it and they give you a little heart to kiss and pop inside before it’s closed up.  My son was super pleased that he got to bring his teddy home.

The experience lasts an hour and it’s pretty fast paced so ideal for younger kids who don’t like to hang around.

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