Because Hot Air Ballooning is something that most people have not experienced they naturally ask questions about the experience and what to expect. On our website we have a page which is dedicated to a range of ballooning FAQ’s with the subsequent answers, some 23 in total.

The ones which we find most frequently asked refer to the time and place that flights operate. Your local Balloon Ride operator will give you the locality of the launch and the main flying season is from mid March to the end of October, but don’t forget that with our vouchers which are open for 12 months and can make an excellent present. There is no such thing as a best time; you will only fly you when the weather is suitable, whether that be March, August or October.

Balloon flights usually take place within two hours of dawn and around two hours before dusk, as this is when the air is at its most stable. Times will vary throughout the year with sunrise and sunset. For example, May meeting times are around 6.00am and 6.00pm.

At Balloons over Britain we offer one of the best ranges of gift voucher which allows the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride throughout the whole of the UK with an operator close to you. Giving a voucher can be a thank you for a loyal employee or winner of a sales competition. It could be special birthday gift or ideally something special for a wedding couple.

Buying a gift voucher online is very easy with many options available; our Diamond Voucher is one of the most popular as an exclusive balloon flight for twp persons from the widest selection of launch sites across the UK, currently excluding Scotland, an excellent gift for proposals, weddings, anniversaries, and special occasions, this is also an excellent incentive for promotional work. The voucher is valid for a full 12 months, carries indemnity insurance and is valid for weekday mornings excluding Bank Holidays, hurry this voucher is on special offer at the moment.

Because hot air ballooning throughout the UK is our passion and one which we would like to share with you, this is where you can enjoy the oldest form of flying, and as many would point out, the most romantic; why not join us?

In conjunction with our UK wide operators, most of whom have been operating passenger balloon rides for over ten years, some for twice as long, this gives us an unparalleled wealth of operational experience that we share across the network to ensure the highest operating standards. We are offering for a limited period 50% off selected online balloon vouchers as well as other gifts exclusive gifts when you book a flight with us. To take advantage of this offer contact us and experience this incredible feeling of time suspended as the world drifts quietly below, we know it is one you will never forget.

Naturally at Balloons over Britain we have flown in a Hot Air Balloon many times and you would expect us to be enthusiastic, we would be wouldn’t we? But so are hundreds of our satisfied passengers and we get many letters from them so we thought we would let you see some of their comments.

Kim from the West Country wrote; “I wanted to write and let you know what a fantastic birthday I had this year when my husband surprised me with a ballooning trip with you which was by far one of the best experiences of our lives, we loved it and haven’t stopped raving about it yet”. 

Shane told us “with my fiancé we took a balloon ride with you and I have to say that it was the most fantastic experience, thank you! From booking the flight to the champagne toast we found all your staff most helpful, professional and personable. I really enjoyed getting involved in launching as well as packing up the balloon and our pilot was really helpful explaining what he was doing during the flight, thanks again.”

If you would like to tell us about your flight with one of our operators we would be delighted to hear from you as well.

If you are in the vicinity of Groombridge Place in Kent on Sunday the 3rd August 2008 you will be in for a magnificent spectacle. Millions of pounds worth of Ferrari motor cars will be on show as well as a spectacular number of hot air balloons of all shapes, sizes and colours.

This popular event is being held again this year following the success of last year’s event on the 5th August and is an opportunity to see Hot Air Balloons in action, being inflated, and during the afternoon pilots will explain how they are handled and flown, which weather permitting in the evening they will take off and provide a spectacular sight drifting sedately over the magnificent moated house. This is a complete family day out with plenty to occupy everyone and we feel sure that once you have seen some of our members Hot Air Balloons, you will want to fly in one too, easily satisfied with one of our online vouchers, we look forward to hearing from you.

The importance of hot air balloon flight which began on June the 4th 225 years ago has been celebrated by none other than the famous search engine provider Google, who had a logo incorporated on their page showing the first manned Montgolfier flying machine.

The flight took place in France, when the Montgolfier brothers Joseph and Etienne, inflated their balloon with smoke and hot air, which carried aloft a rooster, a sheep and a duck, somewhat different to a Balloon over Britain Hot Air Balloon flight today. As the flight was so successful the King of France decided to sponsor the first human flight later that year, which a coup for his country. It is fitting that the successful search engine provider Google, should mark this earlier success and recognise this milestone in human achievement!

The basket is the part of the Hot Air Balloon which carries the passengers, the propane gas, but importantly the qualified pilot. The basket can come in a variety of forms and sizes which can be suitable for individuals or couples up to larger sizes of up to 20 people.

Traditionally Hot Air Balloon baskets have been made from cane which has proved to be extremely sturdy, flexible and relatively lightweight and cane has proved to be the most hardwearing and durable material, even more so than aluminium or some composite plastics. Because the basket is constantly transported from place to place, also when the Hot Air Balloon lands, this material flexes and absorbs some of the energy. Many of our Hot Air Balloon Ride UK operators have their baskets tailor made often with a partition to separate the passengers from the pilot, whatever shape it is we are confident you will treasure your Hot Air Balloon ride us.

There are two basic ways in which you can buy a Balloon Flight Voucher through Balloons over Britain, either as a national voucher which can be redeemed through one of our 70 associate operators, or specifically for an operator who is local to you or the person who is receiving the gift.

Our Balloon Flight gift vouchers are designed to be given on any occasion, whether it’s a birthday surprise, wedding gift or to fulfil a personal ambition, normally valid for a period of 12 months allowing you to take the fight on a date of your choice. If you are giving the gift of a flight to someone whose availability you do not know, don’t worry there is no need to book a flight date at the time of purchase. You can leave the flight date open and the lucky recipient can book their trip at their convenience. Contact us online orif you prefer, contact us by telephone on 0104 822489

Understandably the day a couple are married is considered to be the most exciting of their lives, so why not make it extra special? Although in the UK it is not yet possible to be legally married during a Hot Air Balloon flight, if it is your dream to get married in a balloon, we at Balloons over Britain can make that dream a reality, in Florida!

Our standard package includes transport from the Florida hotel, ceremony on the ground, a one hour balloon flight, naturally champagne on landing, full buffet breakfast and of course the all important wedding cake, with a photograph and certificate of flight. Naturally we can tailor this standard package to your personal requirements which could include up to 6 wedding guests or family members, additional photographs in an album, stretch limo, flowers, hotel suggestions, as examples. Contact us on telephone 01404 822489 when we will be happy to discuss all the arrangements with you.

We are aware that the use of a Hot Air Balloon for advertising is a powerful medium, a giant, colourful, billboard displaying product identifiable to the people below. Why not put your brand name and build recognition and increase your customer base. Hot air balloons are a very successful means of advertising mainly because of the amount of visibility they get for the cost of an corporate hot air balloon programme.

In addition to using a Hot Air Balloon for advertising, these can be used for employee recognition programmes, and corporate parties, corporate events and utilised in building relationships with key clients or future clients. Balloon events often mean that this will be shown on television meaning that your brand or logo will be seen by many more than the thousands that could be attending the event. There are many options to be considered when putting together a corporate balloon programme. Contact us today when we will be happy to discuss the options available.