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By Kirsty, February 8, 2013 6:22 pm

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, what better time to announce another one of our brand new Virgin Balloon Flights launch sites for 2013, the renowned village of Gretna Green. Just over the Anglo-Scottish border, Gretna Green has been famous for runaway weddings since 1754 and now loved-up couples can enjoy one of the world’s most romantic forms of aviation there too; a hot air balloon ride with our lovely pilot Peter Philpot.

What better way to enjoy the Scottish countryside with a loved one than gliding through the air in an iconic Virgin red balloon watching the world turn below the basket?! Post flight find out why Gretna Green is so aluring to those in love, touch the famous anvil and see where starry-eyed couples exchange their vows. Maybe it’s your turn to tie the knot? After all a hot air balloon proposal is a the perfect way to pop the question in the clouds.

Give the gift of flight this Valentine’s Day and take to the skies from Gretna Green from as little as £115pp. You can make that romantic moment even more special with a ‘Love is in the air’ balloon in a box too.

Simply visit virginballoonflights.co.uk or call 0844 8448080.

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By Kirsty, June 7, 2012 3:23 pm

As pilot Chris Oxby flew the Union Jack flag over the Yorkshire countryside to kick-start the jubilee celebrations, 38-year-old passenger Tony Parris settled his nerves before asking girlfriend Mhairi Fitzharris for her hand in marriage.

Just six months ago Tony and Mhairi (33) met over a tipple or two in their home town of Bishopbriggs, Glasgow. With Mhairi’s birthday looming Tony picked a hot air balloon ride with Virgin Balloon Flights as the perfect birthday treat. Little did she know the surprise would be much greater!

Mhairi had dreamed of going up in a balloon for years so it was great for Tony to see her face when they turned up at our York Racecourse launch site and she saw the basket being unloaded.

Tony explained: “Pilot Chris and ground crew Neil chose me to help inflate the balloon so that helped to settle any nerves.  It was very peaceful up there and I felt it was the right time to ask so I took the ring out my pocket and asked.  I was a bit worried in case I dropped it over the side but it all went to plan.”

“Mhairi’s reaction was great as she didn’t suspect a thing.  She said “YES” straight away, which was a relief.  She had a tear in her eye and I had a lump in my throat,” he added.

“We could see for miles and I was impressed with how much detail we could see from that height.  We saw horses galloping and tractors working the fields, we also saw a game of lawn bowls.  It was all very calm and a very worthwhile experience. Thanks to everyone at Virgin for making it such a special day for us both.”

We wish you both the very best for your forthcoming nuptials in the summer next year.

Fly with Virgin Balloon Flights from over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland & Wales from as little as £89pp, simply call 0844 8448080 or visit the Virgin Balloon Flights website.

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By Kirsty, May 3, 2012 11:09 am

Another happy couple plan to tie the knot after a romantic airborne proposal on board a Virgin hot air balloon.

For three years 26 year old Lucy Jenkins had wanted to take to the skies in a hot air balloon, little did she know that this year long-term partner Karl Dalgarno,29 would purchase flights and ask the ultimate question at 3000 feet!

After meeting six years ago just before Valentine’s Day in Luton, Karl knew the anticipated proposal would need to be equally romantic, and floating above the Bedfordshire countryside seemed the perfect opportunity. Lucy accepted Karl’s proposal and the couple landed around an hour later in Arlesey and toasted their news with a glass of champagne.

“We really enjoyed the flight and would recommend it to anyone; we’ll definitely do it again! It was a perfect morning and seeing the views and the wildlife from the sky added to our special occasion,” said Karl.

“We had an amazing time and thank you for the fantastic experience; I couldn’t have done it without you!”

Congratulations Karl and Lucy. We hope the wedding you’ve planned for April 2014 is simply perfect.

Planning to pop the question? Fly from over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales from as little as £89 per person. Call 0844 844 8080 or visit virginballoonflights.co.uk for further details.

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By Kirsty, February 15, 2012 1:26 pm

We know it was Valentine’s Day yesterday but the love here at Virgin Balloon Flights has spilled into today. We want to tell you a hot air balloon love story ….

After meeting his girlfriend on Match.com, 26-year-old romantic Adam Worbey quite rightly thought a hot air balloon ride over the Bedfordshire countryside would be the perfect setting for a surprise proposal to Rachel Grimmer, also 26.

On the 23^rd of April last year their flight was due to take off from Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire, but due to stormy weather forecasts the flight was moved to Shuttleworth Park in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

“We got there at about 5pm, and sat out on the grass in the glorious sunshine on a small picnic blanket. It got to 5:45 when the Virgin Balloon Flights van and balloon basket turned up. Rachel realised that I had possibly led her there under false pretences. Excited, we all helped to inflate the balloon before we all got in, and set off up into the glorious blue sky.”

“The atmosphere in the balloon was something I have never experienced before and it took both of us by surprise because it was so very peaceful up in the air with just the wind directing us where it saw fit. We had amazing views over Bedfordshire, we could see for miles. When we got to around 3500ft, I reached into my camera bag to ‘change the lens on my camera’ but instead pulled out a small box with a ring in it. I then got down on one knee, as much as you can do when confined in the balloon basket and went to propose. It was unfortunate that at that very moment, the pilot needed to put the burners on (they’re LOUD!)…..and so I waited nearly 10 seconds with the ring box open before I could ask her. She of course said yes straight away, followed by much crying and nodding, and then the other passengers in the balloon all congratulated us.”

“We landed just outside Henlow, both buzzing from what had just happened before we phoned our families and enjoyed a Champagne toast to top-off the experience.”

“We were so lucky that on our first attempt to have our balloon flight the weather was not only kind to us, but it was glorious, especially considering we were told by the pilot that ours was the only flight to have gone up in the whole of the south of England. This was due to the pending stormy weather that was experienced over the Easter weekend, with many Met Office weather warnings being issued.”

“We both liked how involved everyone is in everything from unloading the balloon off the trailer and its inflation to its deflation in Henlow. Involving everyone made it more of an experience rather than it being just a ride. The overall experience was brilliant and we would recommend it to anyone who has ever wanted to have a flight, I know my parents want to sign up too following our experience. Hopefully we will be able to repeat the experience on an anniversary or birthday in the future.”

“I would definitely go with Virgin again, as everything was exactly as imagined. The perfect day that couldn’t have been more perfect!”

The happy couple will be tying the knot at St James’ Church, Little Paxton, Cambs, on 4th May 2013. There’ll even be a Virgin Balloon Flights theme!

Fly from one of our 100+ launch sites from as little as £89pp.

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By Kirsty, February 14, 2012 3:17 pm

Ballooning is one of the oldest, most romantic forms of aviation and we here at Virgin Balloon Flights have shared this gorgeous experience with thousands of lovely passengers over the years.

Each flying season we hear about a collection of new ballooning love stories and a number of in-air marriage proposals from our big red balloons. Hot air ballooning is an experience of a lifetime and the perfect way to see the beauty of Britain from a new perspective with that special someone; flowers sometimes just don’t cut it!

Virgin’s new Facebook app ‘Virgin First Valentimes’ recalls your first times with a friend or loved one, and we’ve been getting our staff to reminisce about their first Virgin Balloon Flight as well as sharing their Facebook FirstTimes with their other half.

You too can enjoy a romantic hot air balloon ride from one of our 100+ launch sites in England, Scotland & Wales from as little as £89 per person. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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By Kirsty, July 5, 2011 10:32 am

33 year old Mani Manota of Leeds, Yorkshire, yesterday popped the all important question to long-term girlfriend Maria,25, at 1200ft above York!

The happy couple who met six years ago whilst working in a bar had both talked about the prospect of marriage but Maria had no idea what Mani had planned.

“I thought about Paris and the Eiffel tower but everyone seemed to have done that and for some reason it seemed too cheesy. I was nervous about the whole thing and having one date cancelled due to weather I was nervous right up until the night before when the message from pilot Dave Sutcliffe said the flight was going ahead, no turning back now!

Maria didn’t know anything about the Balloon ride. I asked her to wear warm but clothes she wouldn’t mind getting dirty, she assumed I was going to take her horse riding or visiting a farm, she had no idea until we turned up at York Racecourse and I pointed out the baskets. Much to my relief she was ecstatic at the prospect of going up in a hot air balloon, a first for us both,” said Mani.

At 1200ft the moment Mani had been waiting for arrived and as Maria turned away he dropped to one knee! Of course, she said yes and they celebrated with a traditional Champagne toast after landing.

“The flight was brilliant, very peaceful up in the air with no engine noise letting just the wind direct us, we had brilliant views over York, we could see for miles.  We both liked the fact we were involved in everything from getting the balloon off the trailer to the inflation and then helping to get it deflated too. The overall experience was brilliant and would recommend it to anyone. I’m glad I chose Virgin.”

Congratulations to you both! The team at Virgin Balloon Flights wish you the very best for your wedding and future life together.

For information regarding hot air balloon ride launch sites and prices simply visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk or call 01952 212750.

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By Kirsty, June 21, 2011 11:42 am

How fitting that Virgin’s ‘Summer of Love’ is upon us and pilot Mark ‘Nobby’ Simmons had an engagement on board one of our lovely balloons over Bath!

Happy couple Lee Hall, 35 and Carly Jenkins 25 from Hampshire, originally hooked up the 21^st century way by meeting on match.com, going on their very first date in December 2009. Flying to celebrate Carly’s 25^th birthday, the whole experience was a complete surprise and became a double celebration when nervous Lee popped the big question.

“I’ve always wanted to propose this way! I’ve wanted to fly on a balloon for years and I’ve always planned this would be the way once id met that special someone – it just so happened that Carly has always dreamed of flying in a hot air balloon too… so, with her 25th birthday looming (11th June day of the flight) i felt this would be my perfect opportunity to ask,” said Lee.

“I was so nervous as everything was weather pending! It had been raining ALL week in Southampton and i had everything set for this one day, i wanted it to be a birthday that she’d always remember and i honestly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day! I was so happy when i found out the night before that the flight was a GO… I didn’t sleep a wink!”

Nodding and bursting into tears, Carly (of course) accepted the proposal in front of the beautiful sky high backdrop before floating into the distance together, how romantic! Mr and Mrs Hall to be have already planned to get hitched next year and said they would love to fly with us again.

“The flight was amazing; we both loved every minute of it. It was like you were floating on air, fantastic experience! Even now i can get over how peaceful and quiet it was. I don’t think any other form of flying comes close. I’d recommend it to everyone and we’d defiantly do it again!

Thank you once again, from the very first phone call to organise the flight, Nobby’s piloting skills and to now you’ve all been brilliant, really helpful.”

Thanks Lee, and CONGRATULATIONS from all of us here at Virgin Balloon Flights. 

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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 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