All parts of the hot air balloon are important none more so than the basket which carries the pilot, without whom you will be going nowhere, the propane cylinders for supplying fuel to the burner, but importantly your good self.  There have been a variety of baskets coming in all shapes and sizes, but traditionally this will be a square or rectangular in shape.

They can be made from aluminium or plastics, but traditionally they are constructed from cane for a number of very good reasons. Cane is sturdy and will flex, particularly important when the balloon lands, absorbing the impact. Because the balloon and the basket have to be transported from place to place, light and hard wearing materials are important and cane has proved itself over a period of a hundred years.

When you choose to fly with Balloons over Britain form a launch site that is local to you could just be a little apprehensive, but there is no need to be. Your fully qualified pilot has done it a few hundred times before and he will put you completely at your ease.

Your Hot Air Balloon flight will consist of a full comprehensive safety briefing as although very enjoyable safety is the first responsibility. You may want to be involved as there will be then volunteers required for unpacking the envelope always the fun part of a Hot Air Balloon flight.  

The pilot initially cold inflates the hot air balloon and then finishes off by applying the heat from the burner that brings the Hot Air Balloon alive. Everyone climbs aboard and the pilot applies some more heat and up up and away you go. The flight itself will usually last about an hour and then the pilot will look for a safe place to land. Safely down and you are enjoying your glass or champagne with your fellow passengers. You see, it was tremendous fun and there was nothing to worry about at all.

A hot air balloon cannot take to the skies until safety checks have taken place, just like an aircraft. Whilst the balloon crew is preparing the balloon the passengers have a safety briefing, where they can ask questions about any worries or concerns they have. Your pilot will have examined the weather ensuring the best flying conditions and also select the launch site. The major concerns have to be the wind speed and the visibility, these have to be right before the pilot will launch. The launch site has to have space without any overhead power lines close by.

The hot air balloon is safe, the balloon itself, or envelope as it is referred to, is made from a combination of nylon and polyester and is very strong. You can be sure that when you decide to book your hot air balloon flight you will be enjoying an experience of a lifetime and your safety and that of the pilot and other passengers will be paramount.

You may have given or received a gift voucher from Balloons over Britain, for a Hot Air Balloon ride with one of the local operators flying from a site near you. Balloons over Britain operators are regarded as probably the best in the world and operate under the Air Operators Certificate.

Our operators are members of the British Association of Balloon Operators and this umbrella organisation ensures that its members have to provide service and care and operate under a national terms, conditions and guidelines. In addition, the members will also be registered with The Office of Fair Trading making your Hot Air Balloon flight, or one that has been bought for someone as a gift, easy and safe in every respect. Naturally all the pilots of our hot air balloons are fully qualified and hold licence issued through the Civil Aviation Authority, ensuring a pleasant and safe flight.

The weather throughout the UK is notorious and although the “Met Centre” is accurate for most of the time, there can be local variations which cannot be accounted for when predicting suitability for a Hot Air Balloon flight. We always give you a telephone number to call the night before your hot air balloon flight, but we stress that this can, in many cases, only be a guide. The only way our pilots can be really accurate is by having everyone ready to go on the field in the morning.

We do not aim to inconvenience our passengers nor do we wish to disappoint them, if your fully qualified pilot feels that it is a good idea to meet in the morning, he is confident that the flight will happen, but unfortunately, particularly in our country, the weather can make a fool of any forecaster, when this happens the flight must be cancelled on the field. Remember that our pilots are just as disappointed as you but they are dedicated to your safety and enjoyment.

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.

We understand that a Hot Air Balloon ride in the UK is not something you will do every weekend, so when you do decide to do it, do it right! At all the Balloons over Britain operators UK wide safety has always been the number one priority, and that’s not just talk! Hot air Ballooning is limited to times of good weather and light winds and if the weather doesn’t co-operate with us on the day of your flight, we’ll reschedule with you at a time convenient for you to fly at another time. The pilot’s decision to fly is always made with our passengers’ safety in mind and all our pilots are officially certified with the CAA with a commercial license.

Naturally all our UK wide Hot Air Balloon operators are fully covered by comprehensive insurance, which includes the chase vehicles employed in your flight. All our balloons are good to look at and with clean fabric and vibrant colours. Our balloons are custom made and we replace or refurbish them at regular intervals. All this of course costs money, but we feel the added margin of safety is well worth it.

A hot air ballooning flight is a wonderful gift to give to a friend or loved one and it certainly makes a surprising and exciting gift for that special occasion, or just as a nice gift. Ballooning in the UK has an excellent safety record, in fact one of the best in the world, but you should always choose an operator who is fully licensed, such as Balloons over Britain who are holders of an Air Operators Certificate.

If you are looking to buy a hot air balloon flight, we at Balloons over Britain recommend buying a gift voucher this as the best way of providing this. You should always choose an operator who is a member of the British Association of Balloon Operators whose members will provide service and care and operate under a national terms and conditions. The chosen operator will be registered with The Office of Fair Trading making your Hot Air Balloon flight, or one that the have bought for someone as a gift easy and safe in every respect. Balloons over Britain and its Hot Air Balloon operators are members of this association.