Hot Air Balloon Trips FAQ

Do I have to book my hot air balloon trip for a specific date?
If you are buying a hot air balloon trip as a present for a special occasion you can buy a Gift Voucher, which is valid for 12 months, which you can give on the day itself, leaving the recipient free to choose the date and location for their trip. If you already have a date in mind you can book this straight away.

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How long in advance do I need to book a hot air balloon trip?
As a general rule you should book your hot air balloon trip at least two to three weeks in advance or longer if you would like to book for a weekend evening, a Bank Holiday or a specific date. The more notice you can give us of your required date the more likely it is that we will be able to meet your request.

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Where and when do we meet for hot air balloon launch?
Full launch site directions, including maps, will be sent to you with the confirmation of your booking. You will need to make your own way to the launch site or meeting point.

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How long will the whole hot air ballooning experience last?
You should plan to be away for at least three to fours hours, occasionally longer. The experience starts with the preparation and inflation of the balloon and a safety briefing. The hot air balloon trip usually lasts for at least an hour. Once we have landed we pack away the balloon, serve Champagne, present commemorative Trip Certificates, and arrange transport back to where we started from. We do not recommend you make a dinner reservation to follow an evening trip, as we cannot guarantee a finish time.

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Can I help with the preparation of the balloon for the trip?
Our pilots frequently invite you to help prepare, and also pack away, the balloon and will give you instruction on how it is done.

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How do I get in and out of the hot air balloon basket?
All our hot air balloon baskets have foot-holes to help you climb in and out, but if you feel you may need a little more assistance, our crew members will happily to help. Our hot air balloon baskets are divided into compartments for your safety, and there will usually be three or four passengers in any one compartment.

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How far will we travel on the hot air balloon trip?
This is dependent on the wind speed on the day of the hot air ballooning trip. The average distance covered during a hot air balloon trip is 10 to 12 miles, but we could cover anything from 2 to 20 miles!

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Can I fly where ever we like?
Where the hot air balloon goes is entirely dependent on the wind direction on the day, no two trips are the same. A hot air balloon travels with the wind and cannot be steered in the same way that a yacht can, so it is not possible to guarantee a trip over a particular place when using our standard launch sites.

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What happens to friends and family who are not flying?
They are welcome to watch the inflation and launch of the balloon, and it may also be possible to follow the trip in their own vehicle if they wish. Please ask them to speak to the Retrieve Crew on the day of the trip.

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Can I cancel a hot air ballooning trip if the sun isn't shining?
Usually you cannot. If the hot air balloon Pilot considers the weather conditions to be safe the trip will take place. Living in the British Isles, it is not possible to guarantee sunshine, but we will not fly in rain, poor visibility or unsuitably breezy conditions.

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What happens if the weather is unsuitable for hot air ballooning?
Hot air ballooning requires very particular conditions for safe, legal and enjoyable trip and is completely weather dependent at any time of year. Each Operator provides their passengers with a Trip Information Line Number and details about when to ring to confirm that the weather is suitable for a trip. If it is unsuitable the message will ask you to call the office, during normal working hours, to rebook for another convenient date. Hot air balloon trips are normally re-scheduled for up to four weeks ahead only.

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Is there an age limit on who can go hot air ballooning?
There is no upper limit. Our oldest passenger was over 90 years old and a hot air balloon trip was her life-long ambition! As a precaution it would be worthwhile checking with the passengers' doctor to obtain their clearance for the trip. Children must be over 1.4m (4'6") tall and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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What if I have a Medical Condition?
Hot air ballooning companies are not qualified to express an opinion that you are fit to fly, and you must ensure that you are fit to fly. You must not fly if you are suffering from any serious medical condition or have recently undergone surgery, unless you have a certificate of your fitness to fly from your doctor. You must not fly if you are pregnant or under the influence of drugs.

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Can I fly in a hot air balloon if I have a disability?
There are many differing levels of disability so please talk to us to find out. We are not currently able to provide trips for anyone who is confined to a wheelchair, simply because our baskets aren't certified to carry them - but we usually know someone who can!

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I don't like heights, is hot air ballooning scary?
Don't worry, there is no sensation of rising, rather one of the ground dropping away. There is no sensation of movement either, there's just a great feeling of peace and tranquillity heightened by the lack of wind - because you are moving with it!

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If you have any further questions or would like more information on any of the above, please contact the hot air ballooning operator nearest to you.

Virgin Balloon Flights: From the minute you book online to the time we say goodbye after the flight, we'll give you "The Experience Of A Lifetime".