“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
- Coco Chanel
Although Coco Chanel’s ‘fashion is in the sky’ statement seems quite fitting (excuse the pun), you needn’t worry about donning your glad rags when up in the air with Virgin Balloon Flights. In other words think practically about what you are doing and reflect your choice of clothes to suit.
Think warmth and comfort as your two main aims! Suggested items to achieve these aims are; casual clothes, long sleeves, trousers, good walking shoes or boots and a cap or hat as the burners can get a bit warm.
Your fantastic adventure will usually include helping to inflate and deflate the hot air balloon so we recommend you wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty. No designer wear, no flip flops and no high heels please as we are unable to accept responsibility for damage.
And they’re off…The Virgin Balloon Flights flying season began on the 1st of March and we are revving up the burners to give excited passengers the experience of a lifetime until late October (flying season may vary in some areas).
Flying from over one hundred wonderful launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales, our pilots are keen to keep the sunshine out for both morning and evening flights no less than 7 days a week.
Want to buy a ticket as a gift? No problem; although the flying season runs from March – October, every lovely ticket has a 12 month validity period, just make sure the recipient gives our Telford based call centre a buzz within 3 months of the ticket start date of this gorgeous gift. Or, simply log on to our ‘book a flight’ page online.
So the phenomenon of social media has taken the world by storm, so much so that one in six higher education students enrolled in an online curriculum in 2009 and one out of eight couples who married in the US last year met through a social media site!
Not only this but YouTube is one of the most frequently used websites in the world which highlights the increasing significance of video media and it’s importance for every business.
Virgin Balloon Flights are very excited that this summer will see the birth of their first 360º video stream on board a hot air balloon thanks to Richard Hart at Virtual Venue. Keep your peepers peeled for the video on our blog!
Of course for now we have wonderfully captured still photographs on our website in the photo gallery for you to feast your eyes on.
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So lets put a few FAQs to bed with simple no-nonsense answers. Firstly we can assure you a flight with Virgin Balloon Flights will cause exceptional exhilaration and ear to ear grinning in the air!
How long is the flight? You’ll be in the air for around an hour dependant upon weather conditions and suitable landing areas, but the whole experience lasts for approximately 4 hours. You will get to help with the inflation of the balloon and prepare for take off as well as enjoying a full pilot briefing and a lovely glass of bubbly afterwards.
How high does the balloon go? Every launch site area has different variations of height depending upon the county/ area, weather conditions and time of year flown. So between around 2000 and 5000 feet is a realistic height to expect, no matter how high you go you’ll see amazing views! You can even get to know our hand-picked pilots before meeting them. You can read about their ballooning adventures and achievements, simply by clicking on their Polaroid picture to discover their wonderfully interesting stories!
For most of us, from the moment we’re born, there is one woman that answers to our every need, she feeds us when we’re hungry, clothes us when we’re cold and wipes our tears when we cry…
How do we repay her?
If you’re looking for an amazing Mother’s Day gift, make a great gesture this year and give your Mum the gift of a lifetime; a champagne balloon ride from Virgin Balloon Flights is the perfect way to show her how much you care.
Mum’s adventure includes a three to four hour experience with one hour’s flying time and a traditional champagne toast when she receives her flight certificate signed by Sir Richard Branson and her pilot. Alternatively, you can treat your lovely Mum to a stylish ‘Celebration package’ which includes Virgin goodies and an engraved crystal champagne flute.
Go on, make Mum smile J
A voyage in a hot air balloon can be one of the most romantic experiences of a lifetime and a unique way to celebrate your engagement or marriage. In the predominantly rural county of Cumbria, home to the Lake District National Park and beautiful scenery, it’s easy to understand why Virgin Balloon Flights’ pilot in Cumbria, Phil Claridge, has witnessed a staggering 7 proposals on board last season and said this number is increasing year on year! With stunning views of the Cumbrian countryside beneath the basket, what finer way to say “I Love You” and celebrate a proposal or marriage than by blissfully drifting 6000 feet in the air.
So what does a Virgin Balloon Flights ticket to the sky include? You and your special someone can look forward to around an hour in the air over one of 100 launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales including Newby Bridge (Swan Hotel), Dalemain (Lake District) and Kikby Lonsdale in Cumbria. You will complete your experience with a traditional champagne toast and receive a flight certificate signed by Sir Richard Branson and your pilot. What’s more you’ll receive a Virgin gift pack including shoulder bag, compact binoculars, cap, pen, key ring, pre-flight DVD plus an Italian-made engraved crystal champagne flute for an everlasting keepsake of your special journey… All tickets come in a luxury wallet with a souvenir brochure and offer 12 months to book your flight (flying season March to October).
A Virgin Balloon Flight makes a perfect present too, so go on, wrap this gorgeous gift in a ribbon and make your partner’s day or pop it on your gift list to inspire your wedding guests.
Create memories to last a life time!
Hot air ballooning was the very first way man reached for the sky… On November 21st in 1783, the first manned flight was made by young physician, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and army officer François Laurent d’Arlandes in a hot air balloon in Paris, France, created by the Montgolfier brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne. After around 20 minutes in the air, history was made and aviation fascination grew.
Since then ballooning has developed in leaps and bounds and now Virgin Balloon Flights alone take up thousands and thousands of passengers each year. Flying from over 100 different places in England, Scotland and Wales you never far from the beginning of your adventure. Follow in the footsteps of Jean-François and François Laurent and see the world from a totally new perspective.
Select your perfect ticket package and up, up and away you go!
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