In the past, Santa has chosen to fly at an altitude of between 10,000 and 20,000 feet, NORAD says, which avoids too much climbing and descending. Any higher, and things would get pretty cold for him, not to mention posing other dangers.

“Part of the reason we escort Santa is not only out of a sign of respect … but it’s also for his own safety,” McLeod says. “We’re monitoring civilian air traffic, so if he was up much higher that could be a concern.”


[link to news.ca.msn.com]