Single Dad trying to see Son for XMas

I am trying to bring my brother and his son together for the holidays. Nick (my brother) and Brayden (his son 5 years old) have had a hard time. After battling in court for the last 3 years, my brother has finally won some of his rights as a parent. Up until now Brayden's mom has refused visitation rights and will conveniently go out of town when Nick is supposed to pick Brayden up. With the rights won in court, he gets to spend Christmas with him the only problem this year is that the tickets for planes are very expensive. My brother lives in California and his son lives in Iowa.