Hot air balloons are controlled not just by your fully qualified pilot, but by the weather too, which is why the Balloons over Britain local operators will fly you in the early morning and during the few hours before sunset. The thermal conditions decrease significantly towards dusk and over night. Many of our returning passengers request early morning flights as these offer really stable conditions and the scenery can change dramatically with the light.

For this reason you should take a camera with you on your hot air balloon flight. It is recommended that you use UV filters on your camera to eliminate possible haziness. Get someone to take a picture of you in the basket before take off and exchange cameras with your fellow passengers if they are unknown to you, so that you all have records of your memorable experience. In the summer your flight can be really early in the morning but in our experience the early start is worth it.

When checking out the Balloons over Britain website you will find that it is easy to navigate and you will find that the links do not send you somewhere you do not want to go! Just like our hot air balloon rides throughout the UK. We are committed to clear and honest pricing, we will not tempt you will a “loss leader” which actually goes nowhere!

Naturally safety is our number one priority; our pilots are fully qualified and certified by the CAA. Hot Air Ballooning is weather dependant and we will not attempt to fly if the conditions are unsuitable. If the weather is uncooperative, we will re-schedule this for a time and date suitable to you.

Our hot air balloon operators are all local to you, or from near to where you prefer to fly and the Hot Air Balloons are the best in the business. Contact us and we will talk you through the packages that we can offer for that thrill of a lifetime.

For safety and for your comfort we will only fly you in  a hot air balloon when the weather is suitable for flying, our fully qualified pilots are the ones who decide when it is safe and comfortable to take a hot air balloon flight, no one else’s.

One of the great joys of ballooning is its tranquillity, as you float with the breeze, feeling absolutely no sensation of movement. You will become one with the wind, moving with it, you are moving with it, and in your hot air balloon you will become a part of a complex weather system that is ever changing. Should your pilot decide that the weather is not suitable, you may rebook for another day.

The early morning is the best time to fly; this is when the air is relatively stable and not affected by the day’s wind currents or thermals. Depending on the time of year, this is usually an hour or so after sunrise, you will really enjoy the experience.

Before you take your Hot Air Balloon Ride with a Balloons over Britain UK operator, your fully qualified pilot will call a weather service to find out about climate and wind conditions in an area. Cautious pilots only fly when the weather is close to ideal that is when skies are clear and wind conditions are normal. You will not fly in a storm as these are extremely hazardous for hot air balloons, because of the danger of a lightning strike. Rain can be a problem, because it decreases visibility and damages the balloon material and it’s not much fun to fly around in wet weather anyway.

What we are looking for is a nice gentle wind to have a good flight. Strong winds are not desirable for a number of reasons and damage to the balloon could result. Balloons over Britain pilots also want to know which way the wind is blowing, to give the pilot a rough idea of which way the balloon will travel, and how they should manoeuvre once they’re in the air. Wherever in the UK you decide to fly with us at Balloons over Britain, the same safety procedures take place ensuring you have an enjoyable flight that you will remember for years to come.