Feel the serenity and exhilaration of soaring through the air and enjoying the panoramic views of the landscape below.
Buy a VoucherThe Ballooning Experience
We usually meet our passengers just after sunrise and three hours before sunset when the winds are calmest, but these times will be confirmed upon booking your flight. The hot air balloon ride lasts about one hour, but the whole experience, from setting up the balloon, to drinking champagne on landing and returning to the launch site, takes three to four hours.
We meet you at the launch site where the pilot and crew will greet you and they will invite passengers to help prepare the balloon, if you wish. The pilot will deliver a full safety briefing and answer any questions you may have. Whilst you are briefed, the balloon is inflated with cold air using two large fans and the heat is added, with the burners, to make the balloon stand upright! This is when you can climb ‘on-board.’ Once the pilot has conducted some final checks, they will activate the burner which will gently lift the balloon off the ground. Up, up and away!
The balloon gently lifts off the ground and drifts over surrounding towns and countryside. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the views and take pictures, make sure you have plenty of battery life and storage! During the flight, the pilot takes in-flight photographs, which you can take away with you on a USB stick after the flight for £20 – a great memento of your flight!
Our retrieve crew follow the balloon and meet us on landing, ready to pack away the balloon. We then celebrate with a traditional champagne toast (orange juice is also available) before you are driven back to the launch site.
We would be happy to discuss any other special arrangements you may have!
Due to the nature of ballooning, passengers need to be medically fit and mobile to participate, please read our FAQ’s and contact us if you have any questions.
You can book a flight online or call Virgin Balloon Flights on 01952 212750.
