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.
With their direction and speed determined by the wind, hot air balloons require highly skilled pilots to select a suitable landing spot after a sky-high trip. Skills like those of Virgin Balloon Flights’ pilot Martin Collinson, who couldn’t have landed his balloon in a more appropriate place on Sunday morning…
His AM flight from York Racecourse drifted on a northerly wind showcasing spectacular views of the county. Passengers enjoyed a bird’s eye view of Bishopthorpe Palace which sits beside the River Ouse and is the official residence of the Archbishop of York.
After an hour-long airborne adventure pilot Martin was on the lookout for a large flat area to land which had easy access for the ground crew and a road close by to transport the passengers. As always, he was careful to avoid fields with livestock, crop and any other obstacles, allowing for a safe and straightforward landing.
Martin spotted a long strip of flat grass with a lane for access and a road just a stone’s throw away for the passengers. So, without further ado, he brought the balloon down on the mentioned spot in the town of Riccall.
Much to Martin’s surprise, when the crew pulled in to retrieve the balloon and passengers they informed him that the nearby lane was actually called ‘Landing Lane’! Talk about the perfect spot.
More information about flying with Martin and hot air balloon flights over Yorkshire is available here.
Another sky high proposal has been accepted as Yorkshire man Mark Barrett, 26 asked for Emily Rockliff’s hand in marriage whilst 3000 feet above the county, aboard a Virgin hot air balloon.
Emily 23, met Mark 5 years ago at their local amateur dramatics group, the ‘Harrogate Phoenix Players’ and had no idea he was about to pop the question during flight from their Ripley Castle launch site.
The couple, from Knaresborough north Yorkshire said “We both really enjoyed the flight, the weather was gorgeous and sunny and you could see for miles around!”
“Emily’s favourite part was when I proposed and apart from her saying yes, my favourite part was the whole experience from helping to inflate the balloon to packing it away. Also picking out the towns and villages we recognised below,” added Mark.
Virgin Balloon Flights pilot Dave Sutcliffe known as ‘Sutty’, said “It was a pleasure to have the happy couple on board; we celebrated with a traditional Champagne toast after landing as we do with all hot air balloon rides. We wish them the very best for the future.”
Congratulations Mark & Emily from all of us here at Virgin Balloon Flights!
More information regarding hot air balloon flights in Yorkshire is available here.
The happy couple after a sky high proposal
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