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By Kirsty, November 3, 2010 3:07 pm

Katie Cummings, nine, from Preston Lancashire returned
to school after the half term break with  something spectacular to share with her classmates. She had joined her Mum Rachael and sister Rebeka aboard a Virgin hot air balloon ride above York.

The Virgin Balloon Flight vouchers were bought as a Christmas gift by Dad Steve last year and the ‘Great’ British weather was on the Cummings family’s side as they flew on their first attempt.

The flight took place just a couple of days after Katie’s ninth birthday and Dad Steve said “I decided it would be a nice late present for her.”

“She loved taking off & landing, as this was very exciting… she took a picture of some pigs in a farm that looked tiny. Katie sums up the hot air balloon flight over York as an ‘unbelievable experience’!” he added.

Katie is still telling all her school friends about her trip and Dad Steve believes it will be quite some time before she stops mentioning it.

To book your experience of a lifetime simply call our Shropshire based call centre on 01952 212750 or visit virginballoonflights.co.uk.

* Passengers must be over 7 years of age and at least 4’6” in height. Children aged under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Virgin Balloon Flights is unable to fly passengers who are pregnant or who have recently undergone major surgery.

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By Kirsty, October 14, 2010 3:36 pm

Pull out your fluffy socks, crank up the heating and get your
Christmas list written … only 10 weeks to  go until the turkey’s stuffed and Grandpa’s asleep in front of the fire. Forget queuing for hours on the high street for that special gift, why not get them an experience of a life time; a ride in an iconic red Virgin hot air balloon?

So why should a Champagne balloon ride be the Christmas gift you choose?

· This experience of a lifetime is super special way to wow a
loved one on Christmas day and is a  unique gift idea that can be tailored to your preferred location and flight time, a great gift for him or her.

· Hot air ballooning allows you to see beautiful Britain from a totally different view point and gives you a chance to explore your home town from the skies.

· With over 100 launch sites to choose from across England, Scotland
and Wales your airborne  adventure is never too far from home.

· You can choose from a selection of vouchers, with the option of adding Gift Packages which include: a Virgin shoulder bag, cap, pen, key ring, pre-flight DVD, binoculars and either Sir Richard Branson’s autobiography
‘Losing My Virginity’, a pair of BLOC sunglasses or a crystal engraved
Champagne flute.

· All vouchers have 12 months’ validity so you can fly when it best
suits you.

· Every voucher comes with a souvenir brochure and is presented in a luxury gift wallet (so there’s no need to wrap it) and after the flight there’s a traditional Champagne toast and personalised certificate signed by the pilot and endorsed by Sir Richard Branson.

· There’s even a Snapfish voucher for 40 free digital prints so the gift
recipient can relive their hot air ballooning experience for years to come, they’ll also receive a £40 Virgin Wines voucher to help  celebrate the festive season in style with a tipple or two.

· Our vouchers are sent in unbranded packaging (if you tell us it’s a surprise) so we don’t let the cat out of the bag.

· We offer express delivery, standard delivery or emailable flight vouchers so if you’ve left it until the last minute we can get your gift vouchers to you extra quick.

What are you waiting for? Simply visit virginballoonflights.co.uk or call 01952 212750 for more details or to book a flight.

See you in the sky!

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By Kirsty, September 28, 2010 4:04 pm

19 year old Catherine Barber and her three brothers from York
chipped in to treat their mum Ann, 62,  to a surprise birthday gift, a balloon ride with Virgin Balloon Flights launching from York Racecourse. Catherine was lucky enough to be a hop-in passenger and took to the skies for the birthday celebrations too!

“I managed to book the flight for her actual birthday and she didn’t have a clue about it! I picked her up from my brother’s house with my dad and told her we were going out for tea, when we approached York Racecourse I gave her the red envelope with the tickets inside” said Catherine.

Although the pair of vouchers the siblings had purchased were for Mum, Ann and Dad Chris,54, pilot Martin Collinson invited Catherine to jump on board as someone else had not shown up for their flight.

“I only bought the vouchers and booked the flights 3 weeks beforehand, it was so fortunate that there was a flight on my Mum’s birthday AND that I managed to get on it too! My Mum has already raved about it to everyone, so she definitely wants to try and go up again.

Overall it was an amazing experience to spend time in the sky looking across my beautiful home city with the people I love the most!”

Happy birthday to Ann from everyone here at Virgin Balloon Flights.

You too can surprise that special someone with a Virgin hot air balloon ride; more information on how to take to the skies with us is available here.

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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, May 10, 2010 9:53 am

2010 will be the year of the 19^th Commonwealth Games and is set to be held in the colourful city of Delhi, India, from 3^rd -14^th October.

When given the opportunity to support England’s Commonwealth team at the Delhi Games, Virgin Balloon Flights jumped at the chance to aid fundraising for training and equipment to give our athletes the best chance possible.

With this being the last multi sport event in the run up to the Olympics, to be held right here in 2012, our athletes need confidence and ability to be at their peak to successfully compete for our country. That’s where the fundraising comes in …

Virgin Balloon Flights have donated flights to the ‘Indian Summer Gala Dinner’ for auction and raffle which is being hosted by former British triple jumper Jonathan Edwards and Olympic swimmer Karen Pickering. Of course the Commonwealth Games president Dame Kelly Holmes will be at the event drumming up support and inspiration for the team.

Amongst auction lots akin to VIP tickets to the F1 Grand Prix paddock, centre court tickets at Wimbledon, signed shorts from David Haye or a helmet signed by Jenson Button, our Champagne balloon rides will be up for grabs too!

The event will be held at The Grosvenor Hotel in London on 14^th June and you can book your star studded table by visiting the We Are England Website.

“We are the athletes of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.  We are the elite from 17 sports. We are the medals waiting to be won.  We are the supporters willing us on.  We are the stars of the past. We are the potential for the future.  We are the talent of today.   We are the dreams of a whole nation. We are one team … We Are England!”