Today is Hot Air Balloon Day, our perfect day for celebrating all things hot air balloons!
The hot air balloon is the oldest form of flight technology used for carrying passengers. The first manned flight was in September 1783 when a scientist called Pilatre De Rozier launched the first hot air balloon called ‘Aerostat Reveillon’. The first passengers were a sheep, duck and a rooster (no we’re not making it up!) The balloon stayed in the air for a total of 15 minutes!
The first manned attempt came a few months later in November 1783 when two French brothers, Joseph & Etienne Montgolfier launched a balloon from the centre of Paris which flew for a total of 20 minutes!
First hot Air Balloon Flight
In 1793 a French balloonist called Jean Pierre Blanchard became the first person to fly a balloon in the North America. It was a huge spectacle and even George Washington was there to witness the take off.
Today ballooning is still going strong across the world. There are numerous balloon festivals all over the globe and today balloons come in all shapes and sizes. Last year Clive Bailey and Bailey Balloons pilot Pete Dalby flew the worlds first passenger carrying solar balloon proving that technology and ballooning is constantly changing.
The Solar Balloon
If you would like to experience flight in a hot air balloon then why not book a Champagne Balloon Flight with Bailey Balloons today! Our prices start from just £110.
