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By Kirsty, June 29, 2010 4:29 pm

Are you an early bird who catches the worm or are corn flakes more of an elevenses? Either way Virgin Balloon Flights offer early morning, early evening, weekend or weekday vouchers, so you can choose to fly at a time that suits you.

An upgrade allows you to increase the flexibility of your voucher, allowing you to change the time and type of day you fly. For example, a ‘Weekday Morning’ voucher allows you to fly Monday to Friday on AM flights, an upgrade to a ‘Weekday Anytime’ flight would allow PM flight times too. Your choice of upgrade can also include weekend flights and or package vouchers including branded goodies.

If you have a voucher that you wish to upgrade, all you need to do is follow the simple information below to boost your flying experience from as little as £15 per person.

Have your voucher number and security code at the ready and call our friendly Shropshire call centre on 01952 212750 to let our customer service representatives know that you wish to upgrade. Select an upgrade and make an easy over the phone transaction with any credit or debit card excluding American Express.

Within 3-5 days your shiny new vouchers will arrive on your doorstep and you’ll be given a further 12 months to book your flight. Go ahead and choose from over 100 launch sites nationwide and select an available date either online at VirginBalloonFlights.co.uk or by telephone on 01952 212750.

Bob’s your uncle – upgrade sorted.

See you in the sky!

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By Alex, June 22, 2010 11:24 am

Love was certainly in the air for one Gloucestershire couple who got engaged in a Virgin hot air balloon 3,000 feet above the county.

While England were playing USA in the World Cup on June 12, Rob Blagden, 37, was busy surprising partner Joy Buddin by getting down on one knee during their balloon flight from Kemble Airfield near Cirencester.

The couple, from Bristol Road, Gloucester, have been together since January and were flying to mark Joy’s 50^th birthday that day so they enjoyed a double celebration with a traditional glass of champagne after landing.

Joy said she had no idea that Rob was planning to pop the question and a hot air balloon high in the sky was the perfect place for a proposal.

Rob said he was delighted when Joy said yes and the day could not have gone better. They are now planning to get married in October.

“We were both surprised at how warm it was up at 3000ft and were very pleased to see how much green space there still is in the county,” he said.

“Our pilot Nobby was fantastic and, although we prepared for a bumpy landing, it was so gentle we didn’t even realise we had touched

down. The whole experience was brilliant.”

Virgin Balloon Flights’ pilot Mark Simmons, known as Nobby, said: “We had a fantastic flight from Cirencester that evening and it was a wonderful moment when Rob proposed to Joy. When she said yes the other passengers and I gave them a cheer and wished them all the best for the future”.

Mark and all his fellow Virgin balloon pilots in England are supporting the national team during the World Cup by displaying St George’s Cross flags on their baskets.

More information about hot air balloon flights in Gloucestershire is available here

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By Kirsty, June 17, 2010 5:10 pm

So the World Cup is underway and it was a one all draw for the England team in their first game against the USA on Saturday 12^th. Our lovely pilots  literally flew the flag whilst England chased the ball in South Africa, and will continue to do so for as long as we’re in the tournament. Fingers crossed the flags will be in place right to the final, and our team can bring the world cup home!

Tomorrow evening (18^th) will see the England team don the three lions again in a bid to beat Algeria and bag those important points. Ranked 30th in the world, 22 places below England, Algeria are geared up for surviving this match despite losing their first 1-0, to Slovenia.

Wonderfully confident Wayne Rooney has ruffled a few Algerian feathers by suggesting England will no doubt take victory tomorrow in Cape Town. The patriots amongst us here at Virgin Balloon Flights  sure hope Wayne’s words are those of wisdom and prove accurate!

With the St Georges Cross high in the sky and blowing from the basket, our happy passengers can see the rolling country side or perhaps their home towns from the sky. With vouchers from as little as £99 per person , why don’t you raise the flag to around 3000 feet and support England in a way like no other.

Come fly with us at Virgin Balloon Flights!

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By Eve, June 15, 2010 4:22 pm

“It’s a beautiful day so why have you cancelled my hot air balloon ride?”

We often get asked this question by frustrated would-be passengers.  When you are told that your flight is cancelled it is incredibly disappointing, especially if it is a clear day and the sun is shining.  We understand this very well.

When we cancel our flights due to the weather our sole purpose is to ensure the safety of our passengers. If there’s a slight chance weather conditions are not going to be 100% safe for our passengers on a particular flight then our Virgin Balloon Flights pilots will take the decision to call the flight off.

Our pilots are highly qualified and governed by the laws of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Many of our pilots are worldwide record holders in their field so rest assured you are in extremely capable hands. Weather conditions are assessed right up until take-off so there is still a possibility that your flight may be cancelled at the launch site. Again, this would be the pilot’s last but necessary resort but may happen if weather reports were incorrect or conditions deteriorate.

Our pilots assessments are based on weather reports from the MET office and local airports and also take into consideration wind speed, visibility, ground conditions for landing, cloud level and precipitation.

To improve your chances of getting airborne, if weather conditions look more favourable from your launch site’s back-up site then your pilot may schedule the flight from there instead.

Before your flight you are requested to telephone your designated flight line to listen to your flight status message from your pilot.

Do not get too disheartened if your flight is cancelled due to the weather as your balloon ride voucher will automatically be extended if your voucher is towards the end of its validity to allow you to book onto another flight. If you have a refundable ticket and your flight is cancelled 7 or more times you are entitled to a refund or exchange of gift experience (more info in our T&Cs).

Remember; what feels and looks like perfect weather conditions to you at ground level can be extremely different at 5,000ft. It is due to our pilots’ careful assessment of weather conditions that ballooning is such a safe and enjoyable activity. So, if you are cancelled, please be patient, we absolutely promise a flight with us is worth the wait. If you don’t believe us, see here for some independent reviews.

You may also like: Why do hot air balloon flights happen at dawn and dusk?

And our FAQs page.

Balloon Shadow over Kent

Balloon from the Bottom

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By Eve, June 9, 2010 11:40 am

No one loves surprises more than us. When someone gives you a gift and you have no idea what it is, it makes opening it really, really exciting.

Our hot air balloon rides make perfect gifts especially at this time of year when Father’s Day is just around the corner.

Customers who buy our balloon vouchers as a gift often ask if it’ll be obvious what they are when they arrive in the post so as to keep the balloon ride secret until the big day.

Whether it’s a birthday present, an engagement gift or an anniversary surprise Virgin Balloon Flights have taken several steps to help you keep your secret safe. Here’s how:

1. Our balloon ride vouchers and packages come in plain packaging with absolutely no branding so no one will ever know what joy awaits them – they are even marked Private & Confidential
2. When you order online you’ll be asked how you would like to receive your vouchers – choose Post Only if you share your computer or email account with the gift recipient
3. Select our Express Delivery option if you need to know exactly when your tickets will arrive, this costs £6 and you’ll receive a text and email to advise delivery time to the hour! Learn about the best delivery option for you

Virgin Balloon Flights Voucher, Wallet and Souvenir Brochure

Helpful Tips to Ensure the Perfect Gift Experience

1. Select Post Only option on our website so no email confirmations are sent which may be seen by prying eyes
2. You can buy a voucher and book a flight for your loved one if you know when they can fly, the most efficient way to do this is to get tickets by email and post by choosing the Email and Post option in your shopping basket, minding your Inbox if you do
3. If you book the flight as well for your loved one remember if you want to keep the flight quiet until the very last moment you’ll have to call our flight line beforehand to check if the flight is going ahead
4. Have timing and routes to the launch site planned beforehand, don’t forget we may launch from a back up site so make sure you know where these are too – all info will be on your booking confirmation
5. Check what days and times your gift recipient can fly as this’ll affect the type of voucher you buy for them
6. Use your SnapFish voucher to print up to 40 free digital prints of your loved one’s airborne adventure and/ or see the pilot for a commemorative photo of everyone on the balloon ride taken mid-flight as the perfect memento
7. Remember to tear off the little perforated tab in the right hand corner of your vouchers if you want the face value to be kept schtum from your gift recipient

The only thing we can’t help you with is keeping your secret shush until the big day. Don’t let the cat out of the bag and enjoy the look of excitement on your loved one’s face when the surprise unravels.

There's nothing quite like a ride in a big red balloon as the perfect gift

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By Alex, June 4, 2010 8:57 am

If you’re looking for a unique corporate gift to impress a key client or partner, you’ve landed in the right place.

A corporate gift to remember

Say goodbye to un-subtle branded pens, unimaginative bottles of wine and same-old retailer gift vouchers; hello spectacular views, once-in-a-life-time experiences and champagne memories!

Our nationwide reach of over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales means, wherever you send your corporate gift, the lucky recipient shouldn’t have to travel far for their airborne adventure. Our balloon flight vouchers are valid for 12 months so they can take their time to decide when and where they wish to fly.

The vouchers themselves are beautifully presented in a sleek white gift wallet with silver embossing and a gorgeous souvenir brochure (all made with 100% recycled paper from FSC accredited sources) which will really start to build their anticipation.

We also offer a range of gift packages with additional products to make the present even more special – including champagne, sunglasses or titles from Virgin Books.

Our standard delivery is free and we also have an Express ‘Next Day’ option so, even if you’ve left it a bit late, you can be sure your unique gift will arrive on time.

Remember this isn’t just a corporate gift, you’re giving them an invitation to join an exclusive club including Sir Richard Branson and the pioneers of aviation!

Our lovely voucher, gift wallet and souvenir brochure

As well as our great offers online we offer a range of group and corporate rates depending on your requirements, so please call 01952 212750 or email us for more information.

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By Kirsty, June 2, 2010 5:19 pm

Start your hot air ballooning adventure with Virgin Balloon Flights from Staffordshire’s spectacular Amerton Farm and craft centre. Rise above the county town and see Stafford from the sky on an experience of a lifetime.

Pilot Max Duncomb in flight above Stafford

This tip top launch site comes with a host of added extras to make your hot air balloon experience a fun filled day out. Explore the farm and pet its animals before a stroll round the grounds or perhaps a ride on ‘Isabel’, the Amerton Railway’s very own steam engine. Sit back and relax in the tea rooms or visit one of the many wonderful shops or craft centres to finish off a faultless balloon ride with Virgin Balloon Flights.

From the basket, as you go ballooning over Stafford , it may well be the castle of the county that comes into view or Cannock Chase, a nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Which ever way the wind blows you’ll be sure to see Staffordshire’s delights from a whole new perspective and you will toast your voyage with a glass of Champagne after touch down. Cheers!

What’s more, you’ll receive a personalised certificate endorsed by Sir Richard Branson and signed by your pilot Max Duncomb . Hot air balloon rides over Stafford and its surrounding counties start from as little as £99 per person.