A flight in a Hot Air Balloon makes a really exciting and surprising gift for one of many special occasions and for most will fulfil that personal ambition. Hot Air Ballooning UK wide is safe and we have one of the best safety records worldwide and are one of the safest forms of aviation available. However, we suggest that it would always be in your best interests to check the operator that you use is a fully and properly licensed operator of Hot Air Balloons when you purchase your Balloon Ride, or buy a gift certificate for someone.

Balloons over Britain have over 70 fully licensed operators flying from launch sites throughout the United Kingdom, all holders of an Air Operators Certificate, signed up to the high standards and code of conduct necessary to meet the high standards demanded. All our operators constantly strive to give you the customer the very best. Balloons over Britain will ensure that you will not be disappointed.

It is a natural assumption that if you want to become involved with Hot Air Ballooning UK wide you have to have a lot of spare income as this involves great expenditure. Well here at Balloons over Britain we can assure you that this is not the case, far from it. The simplest and very inexpensive way of getting involved is to crew for a pilot as the pilot cannot rig the balloon without at least three or more crew.

There are few requirements to becoming a member of a Hot Air Balloon crew, fit enough to be able to carry some heavy items, maybe across a field for example, not to the level of a trained athlete. Getting up early in the morning is another, in order to get to the launch site for Sunrise Balloon Flights Having a driving licence and possibly your own car could be useful, although not essential and being a committed team member is vital. Contact us at Balloons over Britain; perhaps take a ride first at a local operator near you.

If you do not fancy floating serenely at a few hundred feet and watching the patchwork quilt of fields passing below you, disturbed only by the occasional firing of the gas burner, why not consider a tethered Hot Air Balloon experience?

Many of our 70 operators local to you, have tethered operations as part of the comprehensive packages on offer. These operations consist of the balloon being inflated as normal and flown up to a height of less than 60 metres, restrained by ropes secured to the basket. These are to prevent any lateral movement; the Hot Air Balloon is flown up and down by the pilot under its own power just as it would in free flight. Often these tethered operations take place at night which allows for a spectacular show, or night glow, the whole envelope being lit by the burner. Contact us and we will be happy to tell you which local Hot Air Balloon operator offers this option.

Anyone with an average ability can become a pilot of a Hot Air Balloon fulfilling the requirements for the PPL (B) which should not be considered as a task to be taken lightly. The Hot Air Balloon is a registered aircraft and the licence which you will ultimately hold will be issued by the Civil Aviation Authority specifically for ballooning.

We firstly suggest that you arrange with Balloons over Britain to take a Hot Air Balloon flight with a local operator and discuss with them the possibility of taking the necessary course to achieve your ambition, this checks that you will enjoy it before you commit time, energy and money to becoming a Pilot. Becoming a Licensed Pilot requires hours of commitment and theoretical training, but at the end of it you will become a qualified pilot. How’s that for a topic down at the pub?

Forget about going to the airport three hours before take off, queuing to check in, maybe losing your bag, there is a far more romantic way to fly in the air with your loved one. Buying a gift voucher from Balloons over Britain is your first step and then following on from that, at a time of your choosing, you will go to the local area launch site near you.

Hot air ballooning is one of the most romantic ways to fly, no sensation of movement, no sensation of rising, rather one of the ground falling away from you, this is an experience you will remember for years to come. The peace and tranquility, no wind you are being majestically carried along with it until such time as your qualified pilot gently descends to earth and then you enjoy your glass of champagne with the person you love. What could be nicer?

There may be some that remember that during the Second World War and immediately after in the early 1940’s Government of the day encouraged the population to take their holidays at home. But in those days it meant literally staying at home. With the increasing strength of the Euro, holidays in Europe are becoming more expensive so why not take your holiday in Britain and partake in a wonderful Hot Air Balloon UK ride through the skies?

At Balloons over Britain we have over 70 local operators under our umbrella and we can arrange for you to visit, one or many of these as you wish and combine it will a summer holiday. We can supply you with vouchers that will allow you to experience the thrill of a Hot Air Balloon Ride throughout the country, maybe as part touring holiday, then you will have something to talk about on a Friday night at the pub!

The best way for you to become involved with Hot Air Ballooning is to go along to a meet or festival and to see for yourself just how much fun these events are, and why so many people enjoy taking part in preparing the Hot Air Balloon, or as being part of the “Chase Crew” to help after landing.

For some family days out meetings are being held during May at the following venues. Great Missenden 3rd - 5th May, Kirby Lonsdale Rugby Club 24th - 26th May, Bowood House Calne 24th – 26th May, and in June at Middlesbrough Balloon Festival, Stewarts Park 27th -30th June, and the Burnley Balloon Meet at Townsley Park on the 25th – 27th June.  Join the Balloons over Britain friends and operators at these meetings, remember to take a camera, talk to the pilots and just have a good time. Contact Balloons over Britain and then you could be taking part too.

We find that people regularly dream of going for a balloon ride, or maybe even becoming involved as a pilot or crew. Participating in Hot Air Ballooning is not difficult, often just meeting and talking to the crew and pilot at the landing spot is enough to get you involved.

Buying a balloon ride through us with one of the participating operators who fly Hot Air Balloons UK wide from a locality that is close to you, is often the most direct way of learning about the sport. Ask the crew if you can help with the inflation and deflation of the balloon which is something that most passengers enjoy doing as this is part of your balloon flying experience. Most Hot Air Balloon flights last about one hour from launch to landing but you will need to spend about 3-4 hours for the entire adventure which will take place at dawn or dusk.

This is a question that is often asked and the short answer is no. There is no such, our Hot Air Balloon operators will only fly you when the weather is suitable, whether that be March, August or October you should not believe that it might be warmer in the summer than say March or October. You will of course be dressed sensibly and the Hot Air Balloon burners provide some radiated heat.

The pilots of our operators believe that there is little to compare with a nice spring or autumn morning, but whatever time of year you choose the whole experience will be stunning and one of the best of your lives. We suggest that you choose a voucher which is the most flexible of options allowing you to decide which local operator you prefer and also a time of year to fly with your Hot Air Balloon UK operator.

In common with just about everything today, booking a Hot Air Balloon flight through our site at Balloons over Britain, which will enable you to fly at a locality near you, is not only possible, but we have made it really easy and above all completely secure.

Your online booking process takes only a few minutes and when you have decided on what you want, details will be taken, such as name and address and then your voucher will follow in about two days. Our site is completely secure and this is illustrated by the padlock icon shown on the monitor of your computer. You are directed to a secure area and your credit card details are completely safe. Should you prefer, you can contact us by e-mail at: sales@balloonsoverbritain.co.uk or should you prefer bookings can be made by phone on 01404 822489.