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By Alex, September 1, 2011 2:00 pm

Congratulations to our chief pilot and director Kenneth Karlstrom who won the prize for top pilot at the famous Lorraine Mondial Air Balloons event held near Metz, France, in late July.

The experienced Swedish flyer beat 120 other pilots by scoring more points in the competition to drop markers onto targets or ‘goals’ on the ground, which required some real precision flying.

After an excellent display in his light and nimble Virgin ‘77’ balloon, Kenneth picked up an impressive glass trophy and a massive bottle of Champagne.

The event also broke the world record for the largest line-up of inflated balloons with 343 in a row all at once leading to a spectacular mass launch.

Kenneth said he was delighted with the victory and thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Join Virgin Balloon Flights for a hot air balloon ride over Britain

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By Alex, August 22, 2011 9:23 am

A Virgin hot air balloon has floated onto TV screens in the Ukraine after an unforgettable flight at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

A lovely film crew from Inter TV came ballooning over Bristol with us as they covered the world famous event earlier this month.

A spectacular mass launch from Ashton Court gave them some wonderful footage and they interviewed pilot Mark Simmons about life as a balloonist.

They were also treated to a sensational performance by UK Queen of Soul Beverley Knight during an exclusive airborne session for Virgin Red Room.

See the film on the Inter TV website here

Join us for your own balloon flight in Bristol

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By Alex, August 12, 2011 5:23 pm

Virgin Balloon Flights hosted a sensational performance by British soul diva Beverley Knight in a hot air balloon during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Beverley’s session and interview were filmed for Virgin Red Room – Virgin.com’s online music show presented by Nissan Juke – and are now online to view here.

Her Virgin balloon took off with scores of other balloons from Bristol’s Ashton Court flew right across the city and landed an hour and twenty minutes later near Doynton, to the east.

Beverley performed forthcoming single Cuddly Toy, originally released by Roachford in 1988, from from her 7^th studio album ‘Soul UK’ produced by Grammy Award Winner Martin Terefe (James Morrison, Jason Mraz) and Future Cut (Beyonce, Lily Allen). Soul UK was released last month to widespread critical acclaim and was the week’s highest new entry on the UK album chart.

The album is a tribute to British artists who have influenced Beverley and features interpretations of songs by the likes of Soul II Soul, Omar and Jamiroqui.

During the flight Beverley described the ballooning experience to her followers on Twitter:

‘I cannot even begin to tell you how thrilling this is! @virginredroom virginballoons. Interview with @HenryOnAMission now. Xxxx’

‘Thank you @virginredroom @HenryOnAMission@VirginBalloons for making a dream come true! Xxxxx During the flight Beverley described the experience for her followers on Twitter.’

Back on the ground, Beverley said she had thoroughly enjoyed her visit to the fiesta and especially the balloon flight itself.

She said: “I enjoyed every minute of the flight and really didn’t want it to end. It was nothing like I thought it would be because I expected to hear the wind and for it to be bumpier, but it was smooth, silent and so clear up there. I would love to do it all again tomorrow,” she added.

“It was an amazing place to perform. When I was singing the sound just disappeared into the air, so you really had to listen and focus.

“Mark the pilot and the Virgin Balloon Flights crew were wonderful. They explained everything so lucidly that you always knew what was happening and we landed upright which was perfect.”

Virgin Balloon Flights pilot Mark Simmons, from nearby Melksham, is a regular participant at the famous balloon event.

He said: “Flying in the Bristol balloon fiesta is always fantastic and floating skywards at 1,000 feet with Beverley singing in the basket of our balloon was amazing. She’s an incredible performer and seemed to really enjoy the flight. It was an experience none of us will forget.”

To book a balloon flight over Bristol or beyond with Mark and the team visit the Virgin Balloon Flights website.

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By Alex, August 3, 2011 11:40 am

We’re always saying how magical it is to fly in a hot air balloon is so it was quite fitting when TV illusionist Derren Brown joined us for a sky-high sightseeing tour.

Derren, who has performed various stage shows, television specials and series such as Trick or Treat,  took a hot air balloon ride from Henley-on-Thames on Saturday  evening.

Derren Brown tweets in our Virgin balloon

Flying with pilot Mark Shemilt and eventually landing in Reading, Derren described the balloon flight as a ‘totally dreamy’ experience.

“I had no idea what to expect and the whole thing was fantastic. Utterly serene, totally dreamy, and even a couple who were nervous beforehand loved the whole thing. Thank you for a terrific evening,” he said.

Derren tweeted several times during the flight, including when they drifted over Uri Geller’s house, and after a comfortable landing he praised Mark for his piloting skills.

Mark said: “I’m delighted Derren enjoyed the flight. It was quite funny as other passengers gradually realised who he was and started nudging each other. He chatted to everyone and told us about his new show. It was a pleasure to meet him.”

Visit Derren Brown’s Blog or follow Derren on Twitter.

Book your own magical hot air balloon ride here

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By Alex, July 28, 2011 1:45 pm

Teenaged aviator Chloe Hallett, daughter of Virgin balloonist Lindsay Muir, has become the youngest balloon pilot in the country.

The budding ballooning star, from Bishops Castle, picked up her licence on her 17th birthday to claim the accolade, having started learning at just 15.

Lindsay, who pilots balloon rides in Shropshire and Cheshire, is a former British national hot air balloon champion and has been teaching Chloe everything she knows.

Lindsay said: “It came quite naturally to Chloe and she was very, very relaxed about it. A lot of students coming into it are very tense most of the way through.

“Chloe would chat away, look over the side of the basket, burn, talk about something else… and then tell her mother to shut up because she needed to concentrate on the landing.”

Chloe followed in the footsteps of Milli Karlstrom, daughter of Virgin Balloon Flights chief pilot and CEO Kenneth Karlstrom, who became youngest pilot when she gained her licence in October last year.

Chloe said: “It’s good that I’m a girl. There haven’t been many female pilots and it’s good to be a record breaker,” she said,

“I think I’ll get my commercial licence which means I can fly passengers, but I don’t think I really want it as a job, just as a part-time thing really.”

Chloe is hoping to take part in competitions for pilots under 25 starting next year.

Congratulations to Chloe from everyone at Virgin Balloon Flights!

To book a balloon ride in Shropshire with Lindsay visit the Virgin Balloon Flights website.

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By Alex, July 28, 2011 1:21 pm

A high-flying Kent hot air balloon pilot is celebrating another happy landing – but this time it’s the arrival of a cuddly four-legged new born with a famous name.

When Damon Bridger, from Gillingham, isn’t taking people on champagne balloon rides over Kent for Virgin Balloon Flight, he’s busy with his other unusual occupation; breeding and rearing alpacas. Damon, 50, and partner Clare West bought their first two alpacas two years ago with plans to breed more and sell them or to use their soft fleeces for wool products.

They set up Great Oak Farm Alpacas near Maidstone and now have six of the animals including the recent new addition, a black coloured baby or ‘cria’ which they’ve called Richard, after famous entrepreneur and adventurer Sir Richard Branson.

Damon said: “We’ve decided to call the new ones after famous airborne adventurers and, having been a pilot with Virgin Balloon Flights in Kent for 15 years, Sir Richard was obviously top of the list.

“The new cria was quick to explore his surroundings and seemed naturally inquisitive, so the name was perfect. Two more cria are due soon and we plan to name a girl after American pilot Amelia Earhart.”

Damon, who has flown balloons all over the world and now takes passengers up from Maidstone’s Mote Park, Wadhurst, Headcorn and Sutton Valence, said balancing both jobs was hard work, but meant every day was exciting.

“Nothing can beat the feeling of flying in a hot air balloon, but alpacas are amazing animals and seeing one being born is always a special experience,” Damon said.

A duck, a sheep and a cockerel were on board the first recorded hot air balloon flight in France in 1783, but despite the adventurous alpaca’s name, Damon has no plans to take Richard skywards.

“It’s a funny idea, but I’m not sure what the other passengers would think!” he added.

Visit the Virgin Balloon Flights website for more information or to book a balloon ride in Kent with Damon.

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By Alex, June 27, 2011 5:13 pm

We are delighted to announce that Virgin Balloon Flights will be flying at the 33rd Bristol International Balloon Fiesta  later this year.

Three Virgin balloons at Bristol Balloon Fiesta 1995

One of our largest Virgin hot air balloons will be whisking people skywards on Champagne balloon rides from Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2011 between August 11 and 14. 

The world famous ballooning event takes place at Bristol’s Ashton Court, one of over 100 Virgin Balloon Flights launch sites, and features hundreds of hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes including special shapes.

Around half a million people come to watch the fiesta each year and the event gives lucky passengers a rare chance to take part in a mass balloon launch, seeing Bristol from the sky.

You can fly from the balloon fiesta with us by purchasing a special Bristol Balloon Fiesta ride voucher for £180 per person. Existing customers can also take part by upgrading their existing voucher.

Spaces are very limited and are available on a first come, first served basis, so don’t hang about.

Visit the Bristol Balloon Fiesta balloon rides page on our website or call 01952 212750 for more information or to book.

A mass launch at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Pilot Mark Simmons, who will be flying from the fiesta, said: “It’s been a few years since Virgin Balloon Flights last took part in Bristol Balloon Fiesta and we’re delighted to be involved again because it’s a spectacular event and a real showcase for ballooning. We’re looking forward to it.”

Bristol Balloon Fiesta includes a host of entertainment for all the family including two spectacular night-glows. Visit the fiesta website for full information.

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By Alex, April 18, 2011 7:03 pm

As web teams from across the Virgin Group came together for the first Virgin Social Marathon and launched #tweetfortea, Virgin Balloon Flights staff went stir crazy!

The idea was simple, at 4pm everyone here at Virgin Media Our House relaxed, had a cup of tea and invited followers, fans and fellow Virgineers to tweet about their tea breaks.

In honour of Sir Richard Branson’s love of tea, the best tweets won RBlovesT mugs.

At Virgin Balloon Flights HQ the team were on board and pilot Mark Simmons plus smiley passengers won the prize for the highest tea break (ever?)…

Thanks to everyone who got involved and we hope you enjoyed your cuppa’s.

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By Alex, April 18, 2011 12:42 pm

Hi there from Virgin Media Our House an amazing private members’ club in London W1!

Today we’re at the Virgin Social Marathon where people from across the group are chatting together while Tweeting and Facebooking you guys out there in the big wide world.

We’d love you to get involved by Tweeting your ideas for new Virgin businesses using the #ifvirgindid tag.

You could win the ultimate Virgin lifestyle by entering the prize draw.

Here are Eve, Antony from Virgin Money Giving, me and guys from lots of other Virgin companies, busily Tweeting away.

If you’d like to see more pictures of Our House check out the Flickr page of our friends at Virgin Atlantic VTravelled

Thanks Virgin Media – this place is fantastic!