Santa’s sleigh passes through Christchurch in New Zealand, says Flightradar24 By Carolina Costa
3 min read
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The Papai Noel sleigh began its global gift-delivery journey on the eve of Natal, 2025. The flight monitoring platform Flightradar24 recorded the special aircraft’s passage over Christchurch, on Nova Zelândia, marking the beginning of deliveries in regions where the Natal arrives first.
Millions of people around the world follow the journey in real time. The sign appears with identifiers such as SANTA1 or HOHOHO, and the aircraft type is listed as sleigh.
The recorded altitude reaches 60 thousand feet, well above commercial air traffic, ensuring safety during the flight.
- Search for “SANTA1”, “HOHOHO” or “R3DN053” on the Flightradar24 website or app.
- Special icon shows reindeer sleigh in 3D for premium users.
- The platform uses a combination of real data and festive simulation for tracking.
How to access tracking on Flightradar24
Flightradar24 offers free access to the special tracker during the Christmas season. Usuários can view the interactive map on the website or in the iOS and Android apps.
The journey starts at Polo Norte and heads to Pacífico Sul, passing through Nova Zelândia as one of the first main stops. The sled appears as the most followed flight globally on the platform during this period.
Other Popular Tracking Platforms
NORAD, América’s Norte aerospace defense command, continues its 70-year tradition of tracking Papai Noel with simulated radars and satellites. The service begins full updates on the morning of December 24th.
Google Santa Tracker complements it with animated maps, counting gifts delivered and interactive games. Ambas options start later than Flightradar24 due to time zone differences.
Technical details of the sled on the tracker
On Flightradar24, the sled receives registration HOHOHO and callsign ranging between SANTA1 and R3DN053. The speed reaches supersonic levels in simulation, allowing it to cover the globe in a few hours.
The high altitude prevents interference with commercial flights. The custom icon includes reindeer and the classic sleigh, making the visual experience appealing for families.
Start of the journey at Polo Norte
The sled signal appears first in Polo Norte, with flight tests carried out hours before deliveries. Flightradar24 captures these initial preparations.
Then, the route heads to the islands of Pacífico and Nova Zelândia. Christchurch records one of the first confirmed passages in this 2025 edition.
Differences between available trackers
Flightradar24 stands out for its aeronautical realism, simulating data such as altitude and speed. NORAD focuses on festive military storytelling, with videos of “Santa Cam” at world landmarks.
Google prioritizes entertainment, with minigames and a virtual Christmas village. Cada platform attracts different audiences, but they all update in real time.
Global popularity of the phenomenon
Papai Noel’s sled frequently tops the lists of most tracked flights on Flightradar24 during the run-up to Natal. Milhões access the tools annually.
The tradition combines modern technology with Christmas magic. Plataformas how these keep the anticipation alive for children and adults alike.
Final preparations before takeoff
Simulated teams in Polo Norte finish loading gifts and checking the reindeer. Rudolph’s red nose serves as a “beacon” in tracking.
Flightradar24 incorporates these fun elements into the data it displays. Usuários see continued progress as the sled moves into new regions.
