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By Alex, April 1, 2013 12:01 pm

Following this morning’s ‘revelation’ that Virgin Atlantic will be introducing glass-bottom planes for domestic flights, the possibility of spotting Scotland’s mysterious Loch Ness monster has been getting people excited.

Teams from across the Virgin Group have been coming up with ideas of how they could in theory join the hunt for Nessie, so we thought we would throw our hat into the ring.

How about we introduce glass-bottom baskets and float over Loch Ness giving people an unforgettable ballooning experience and the scintillating possibility (however small) of seeing the humps of the beast from the deep…

Although, such a thing exists, we’re not sure a glass-bottom basket is going to be everyone’s cup of tea and we don’t fly from Loch Ness.

However, if you fancy a flight in a good old fashioned hot air balloon with a reassuringly solid basket from one of our 100+ UK sites (from£79pp) fly over to our website.

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By Alex, August 21, 2012 3:22 pm

We had a fantastic first visit to V Festival at Hylands Park in Essex where we tethered a balloon at the weekend and what a scorcher it was!

Guests from the brilliant Virgin Media Louder Lounge enjoyed rides in the blazing sun and we rubbed shoulders with celebrities including actor Billy Piper, singer Sophie Ellis Bexter, actor Ralph Little and boy band One Direction, who were all at the event.

We also provided some additional entertainment for the crowd who could see our balloon from the main stage, bobbing away to music from the likes of Tom Jones and Snow Patrol. Our balloon looked particularly spectacular as it lit up in the dusky gloom.

It was a fantastic way to mark 25 years since Sir Richard Branson and co-pilot Per Lindstrand did the first transatlantic balloon flight – making Virgin synonymous with hot ballooning forevermore.

Thanks to everyone who flew with us, who tweeted us and the Virgin Media team who made us feel so welcome.

If you would like to experience a hot air balloon ride over Essex visit our website.

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By Alex, August 17, 2012 9:19 am

An iconic Virgin hot air balloon is appearing at the Virgin Media V Festival for the first time this weekend, 25years after Sir Richard Branson’s record-breaking transatlantic flight.

Virgin has been synonymous with ballooning since founder Sir Richard Branson and co-pilot Per Lindstrand were the first to fly across the Atlantic in a balloon in July 1987. Their huge balloon travelled 3,000 miles from Maine, USA, to Ireland in 32 hours, reaching speeds of 130 miles per hour.

Two and a half decades on and Virgin Balloon Flights is the UK’s leading balloon rides provider and will be tethering a balloon at the festival’s Essex site in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (August 18 and 19).

It will be the debut display of a Virgin balloon at the festival which started in 1996 and this year features performances from the Killers, the Stone Roses and Snow Patrol.

Weather permitting, VIP guests from Virgin Media’s Louder Lounge will be offered complimentary rides in the 75ft tall balloon giving them a unique experience and an alternative perspective of the site.

Kevin Meehan, Virgin Balloon Flights’ pilot for VFestival, is one of the UK’s most experienced balloonists and assisted with Sir Richard’s later global record attempts.

He said: “Sir Richard and Per Lindstrand’s transatlantic flight was incredible and forged the way for a number of ballooning records including their Pacific crossing in 1991. We’re delighted to be at VFestival for the first time 25 years on. Both music and ballooning are at the heart of Virgin’s rich heritage, so we love bringing them together and have hosted several gigs in balloons over the years.

 

“A tethered balloon ride is a good taster for what an actual flight is like and we’re looking forward to welcoming special guests aboard, providing the weather is on our side,” he added.

Virgin Balloon Flights fly from over 100 locations across mainland Britain. For more information visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk or for latest news, offers and competitions like us at www.facebook.com/virginballoonflights

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By Alex, August 10, 2012 1:31 pm

Tea was poured, cupcakes were nibbled and classical music drifted through the air as we successfully hosted the ultimate tea party in the sky at 1300ft.

We organised the unique event – believed to be the highest open-air airborne tea party – to the celebrate the Great British summer at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta today.

One of our huge Virgin balloons launched in a mass ascent with scores of others from Ashton Court – one of over our 100 UK locations for balloon rides – shortly after sunrise.

We served sandwiches and cream cakes to the lucky guests on china crockery and they enjoyed Twinings tea and English sparkling wine as they floated along, while classical string music played in the bunting-clad basket.

After an hour’s flight traveling south west of Bristol, Virgin Balloon Flights’ pilot Mark Simmons, of Atworth, near Bath, landed perfectly at a miniature airfield for radio controlled planes north of Yatton.

Mark, who has been flying for 23 years and already holds the record for the highest concert in a balloon, said the flight could not have gone better.

He said: “Every balloon flight is an adventure and today it all came together to be one of the most amazing flights I’ve had. The views were spectacular, the tea party was a great success and the lovely passengers seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.

“It was a unique and fitting way to celebrate this Great British summer,” he added.

Karen Rowles, of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, won the flight for her and husband Alan in a competition on the Virgin Balloon Flights Facebook page. She said it was an unforgettable experience and had made her year.

“It was bizarre drinking tea, eating cake and having music in the background up there. It was great,” she added.

Another prize winner Richard Evans, of Langford, near Bristol, flew with wife Emma

He said: “It was really surreal and like nothing we’ve done before. It was certainly the most interesting cup of tea we’ve ever had.”

 

For more stories and pictures from the Virgin Balloon Flights Tea Party in the Sky plus news, offers and competitions visit www.facebook.com/virginballoonflights

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By Alex, July 20, 2012 2:41 pm

Here at Virgin Balloon Flights we’re celebrating the Great British summer by hosting a unique tea party in the sky and are offering one lucky winner the chance to be a guest.

The special flight will take place at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2012 on August 10 at Ashton Court in Bristol – one of Virgin Balloon Flights’ 100+ UK locations for balloon rides.

Passengers will be served finger sandwiches and cream cakes on china crockery as they float over Bristol in a spectacular mass assent with scores of other balloons. Twinings tea, English sparkling wine and traditional lemonade will also be poured instead of the usual champagne.

Weather permitting, the balloon will soar up to at least 1000ft in the air and the event is thought to be one of the highest open-air tea parties ever organised.

Virgin Balloon Flights’ pilot Mark Simmons, from Atworth near Bath, will fly the 100ft tall balloon for the unusual tea party. Mr Simmons, who has been flying for 23 years and holds the world record for the highest concert in a hot air balloon, said it promised to be an unforgettable occasion.

Mark said: “There is so much positive patriotic energy around at the moment and, as our balloon rides give people a unique way of seeing beautiful Britain, we wanted to do something fun to capture that feeling. What better way than with a tea party in a hot air balloon, following in the fine Victorian traditions where an impressive venue was just as important as the china, doilies, scones and cream teas. I think we’ve got that covered!”

Twelve passengers will be on board the flight and Virgin Balloon Flights are running a prize draw offering one winner and a guest the chance to take part, including a hotel stay the night before. They will also receive a Tea Hamper, courtesy of Twinings, and a copy of the new ‘Great British Bake Off – How to turn everyday bakes into showstoppers’ book by Linda Collister, out on August 2, published by BBC Books.

To enter visit the Tea Party in the Sky competition page on Facebook and where you will find more details and full terms and conditions.

There are still limited places available on flights at Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2012 between August 9th – 12th. Call 0844 844 8080 for more information or to book. To buy a flight voucher or view our other locations visit the official Virgin Balloon Flight website.

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By Alex, February 6, 2012 7:02 pm

Some of our pilots have arrived back in the UK after the annual Virgin Balloon Flights training and assessment camp in Mondovi, Northern Italy, during January.

Each year we organise the winter event in Cuneo in the shadow of the alps so pilots can do their baseline checks, required by the Civil Aviation Authority, and catch-up before the new UK season begins.

It also gives pilots who are moving up to a larger balloon a chance to take advantage of the excellent flying conditions and complete their assessment.This year the weather was particularly kind and everything was achieved in good time.

Customer service rep and operations assistant Ryan Laing accompanied the group of pilots to assist on the trip and took a few snaps while he was out there.

view of the alps from the basket

Ryan said: “It was a fun week learning more about the other side of Ballooning, especially how much time it takes before and after flights, setting everything up and packing away and then refuelling ready for the next flight. The flying itself was spectacular with good views of the Alps. It was great to meet the new pilots who have joined us.”

balloon launch

Pilot briefing

Meet some of our Virgin balloon pilots here

If you fancy a balloon ride in Italy, you can fly with our sister company Ballooning in Tuscany.

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By Alex, January 10, 2012 4:50 pm

Virgin Money have launched a fantastic new advert on national television entitled ’40 Years of Better’ following the acquisition of Northern Rock and we’re over the moon to say a Virgin hot air balloon plays a starring role!

The beautifully-created commercial, which marks the start of Virgin Money’s ‘quest to make banking better’, celebrates the rich history of the brand, particularly in transport. We feature alongside Virgin Records, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Trains and, after helping out with the hot air ballooning part of the ad, we were excited to see how it turned out. We certainly weren’t disappointed and you can see for yourself on YouTube here or via the Virgin Money banner on the Virgin.com homepage or look out for it on prime time TV.

40 Years of Better - TV Ad Launches Virgin Money

On Monday, we exhibited at the lovely Virgin Money offices in Newcastle, formerly Northern Rock’s HQ, where Sir Richard Branson hosted a launch event for the 2,000 staff. Donning a  football shirt of Newcastle United, now sponsored by Virgin Money, Sir Richard gave a speech welcoming everyone to Virgin and said the combination of Northern Rock and Virgin’s experience plus the Virgin brand meant the bank had an exciting future.

Newcastle United players, including Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor, also made an appearance at the event to speak to fans and sign autographs.

At the Virgin Balloon Flights stand the balloon challenge computer game proved popular and Paul Kavanagh from Virgin Money Mortgage Processing team won the grand prize of a champagne balloon flight for two with an unbeatable score.

We also told staff about our nearest launch site for balloon rides in the North East at Witton Castle, Bishop Auckland. Flights are currently available from just £99 per person from our website. National vouchers are also on sale from £109 per person. Visit the Virgin Balloon Flights website here.

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By Alex, December 19, 2011 3:10 pm

Well, the festive season has landed and 2011 has simply flown by here at Virgin Balloon Flights. (New Year’s resolution: no more balloon puns!).

It’s been a fantastic 12 months with thousands of new airborne adventurers, fantastic personal achievements by staff and charity campaigns galore! Enjoy some of our highlights in pictures below.

January

Steve Dubois of SteveOnTheRun.co.uk,  from Virgin Media in Cambridge, visited Virgin Balloon Flights HQ for a training run with our Eve (who ran a half marathon this year for Hope Hope) and Sue as part of his preparation for the Virgin London Marathon. Entrepreneur Mark Pearson, of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk fame, told us about his unforgettable balloon flight in Surrey the previous season.

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By Alex, December 7, 2011 3:13 pm

A high-flying 25-year-old has won a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa with Sir Richard Branson to visit an inspirational business-led charity.

Kirsty Mills, who works at our Virgin Balloon Flights HQ in Telford, will fly out to meet the famous adventurer and businessman at The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in Johannesburg tomorrow (December 8).

There she will spend time with Sir Richard and learn all about the charity which was founded in 2006 by Virgin Unite – Virgin’s not-for-profit foundation – to nurture promising entrepreneurs, grow businesses and create jobs in deprived areas.

Marketing executive Kirsty is also a volunteer Virgin ‘Insider’ – one of a select band of Virgin employees tasked with making businesses a force for good from within – and won the opportunity as recognition for her work on charity projects at Virgin Balloon Flights and across the wider group.

These included a campaign which raised almost £8,000 for Hope House Children’s Hospices, a series of community events for Mandela Day and a hit squad to help children’s charity Starlight. She was also nominated for a Virgin Star of the Year Award in 2010.

On Saturday (December 9) Kirsty will also assist at the South Africa launch of Sir Richard’s new book ‘Screw Business as Usual’ – all royalties for which will go to Virgin Unite – by becoming Virgin Unite’s representative on Twitter for the day. Follow her progress @virginunite

She said: “Since joining Virgin Balloon Flights in January 2010, I have had some amazing opportunities, but going to South Africa and working with Richard will take some beating. I just can’t wait.

“The Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship is an amazing charity which is using business to make a real difference for people in deprived areas of South Africa, so it will be fantastic to visit and see for myself how it works.”

More information about Virgin Balloon Flights in Staffordshire and around the UK is available at www.virginballoonflights.co.uk