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.

Although we fly balloons in the winter time the main flying season is normally from march to October and in spite of the unseasonable snow we are up, up and away again. Flying in our Hot Air Balloons from over70 launch sites UK wide, we are proud of the fact that we fly over one third of all Hot Air Balloons UK rides, from Civil Aviation Authority licensed ballooning companies.

Established in 1991 we are the largest and longest established balloon flight company operating throughout the United Kingdom from Scotland to the South West and Wales to the Wash. Our fleet of 40 Hot Air Balloons flies seven days a week from dawn to dusk and though our network you can book direct with an operator, but for complete flexibility, why not choose to buy a Balloons over Britain nationwide voucher?

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.

Hot air balloons have always been used for commercial purposes right from the time that they first took to the sky. Hot air balloons are used for a variety of different reasons, including pleasure rides, business advertisements, sports and some people even choose to get married on hot air balloon flights that have been arranged for them! It is true to say though, that the main use that hot air balloons are used for, is commercial flights where the public can book a balloon flight from an area which is local and close to them.

Companies are increasingly using hot air balloons to give incentive to their employees; others use balloons as corporate advertising mediums for their products or company. Many companies buy balloons of special shape which can be very eye catching and Balloons over Britain are able to assist companies in this important part of the hot air ballooning UK scene.

Companies spend hundreds of thousands of pounds advertising in an effort to increase sales of their products or services. Traditional outlets are well known, but increasingly advertising campaigners are turning toward Hot Air Balloons to draw attention to their clients.

If you have seen the launch or landing of a Hot Air Balloon, you will have been amongst the crowd of onlookers which can be around 6000 or so at a fete, or up to 60,000 at major agricultural shows, which if featured on television could be millions.

Balloons over Britain have provided facilities for companies to advertise on balloons, even helped them to but their own Hot Air Balloon in a distinctive shape or logo. Owning your own Hot Air Balloon gives you the tool to provide entertainment packages for clients, journalists and as staff incentives. The Hot Air Balloon is now regarded as the most powerful incentive tool in Aviation History.

There are many places where it is possible to get married, the traditional church ceremony, the registry office, or even Gretna Green are now not the only places to tie the knot! A romantic wedding is the wish of most brides and many use the facilities of one of the 70 local operators of Balloons over Britain and whilst the actual ceremony cannot take place in the Hot Air Balloon itself, after the marriage ceremony takes place on the ground, the couple will go up in the balloon afterwards, celebrating their marriage whilst flying in the air.

However there is another way if it is your dream to be married in a balloon, it can be part of an all encompassing holiday package for the couple and their friends, a trip to Florida! Balloons over Britain will organise the whole event which includes; transportation from your local hotel to the launch site, notary and wedding ceremony which takes place on the ground, champagne toast on landing followed by a full buffet breakfast including cake, and to complete the deal your flight certificate and photograph.

The winter is nearly behind us despite the onset of snow for many during this year’s early Easter and in spring a young man’s fancy turns to “what can he get his loved one in the summer months?” Think no further a wonderful champagne balloon flight for two!

There are many options from which you can choose, an exclusive flight for the two of you is the most romantic, but also the most expensive, the choice is yours. Firstly choose your preferred location from the UK wide operators at the Balloons over Britain site and if you have chosen a mid week early morning flight, you can watch the rest of the world waking up and commuting to work, alternatively you can always choose a weekend option. Your itinerary starts just after dawn at which time you will be invited to help prepare the balloon for flight, which will last about an hour, the whole experience lasts around three and a half hours and is one you and your partner will remember for years to come.

We see them floating in the air and painting pictures with their differing shapes and vibrant colours, hot air balloons have a magical attraction to all who see them, but even more so for those of us who have made that hot air balloon ride for the first, or in the experience of Balloons over Britain, many repeat flights through their 70 local operators.

When they are not carrying fare paying passengers, what are hot air balloons used for? Apart from pleasure rides balloons are used for a number of different reasons, business advertisements, sports and some people even choose to get married on board them! You can choose this unusual but romantic way to get married. Companies use them as a means of rewarding their employees or as an incentive to increase sales or production. A major use now has to be as a means of advertising their products, so may decide to have a special shaped balloon envelope made for them, or they can just simply advertise on the side of a typical hot air balloon envelope. You never know, when you book your flight you could be flying in one of these hot air balloons shaped like a bottle!

Flight has held a fascination for man since time immemorial and the history of flight is well documented. Aircraft museums are to be found all over Britain, mainly at disused R.A.F airfields where the facilities of hangers and buildings have been retained and preserved.

Hot air balloon museums are less prevalent but none the less do exist, foremost is perhaps the British Balloon Museum and Library who hold special events, and regularly attend balloon meets. One such meet is the inflation day, to be held at the Kirby Lonsdale Rugby Union Football Club on the 10^th of May 2008, and is expected to be well attended. Operators within the Balloons over Britain umbrella will be amongst the many attending and special events are to held and if this meeting follows the pattern of other Hot Air Balloon events, will be a massive attraction for all the family.