Worth getting up at 4.15 for. Flying from Welford Christmas Tree farm at 6.30 AM, on a sunny Sunday morning. The team were great. Friendly and helpful, giving us a pre-flight safety talk, and p... See more
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Review summary
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Had a virgin balloon ride on Friday 7/8/26 with my best friends as a belated birthday present. Took off in Northamptonshire. The pilot was very informative and friendly. We had a perfect landin... See more
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The weather was perfect. Blue sky not a cloud in sight , and absolutely no wind ! It was truly magical , we floated upwards effortlessly and drifted majestically through the Sussex / Kent countrysi... See more
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Great experience. Pilot very friendly and informative, didn't go above 500 feet, so had a fantastic view. Downside. Would be better if the directions to the field were more accurate as the given p... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
Virgin Balloon Flights is the largest commercial hot air balloon rides company in the UK and has been taking passengers up, up and away on the airborne experience of a lifetime since 1994.
Contact info
Jesson House, TF3 3BD, Telford, Shropshire, United Kingdom
- 01952 212750
- customerservice@virginballoonflights.co.uk
- www.virginballoonflights.co.uk
4.6
Excellent
6K reviews
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Replied to 96% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
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The weather was perfect
The weather was perfect. Blue sky not a cloud in sight , and absolutely no wind !
It was truly magical , we floated upwards effortlessly and drifted majestically through the Sussex / Kent countryside .
The landing was also perfect ! Thank you Damon Bridge.
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Claire, this sounds so poetic and was lovely to read! We're glad you fully enjoyed the whole experience and that the landing was spot on!
Damon will be over the moon with your review and we'll be sure to pass on your magical comments ;)
Thank you again for flying with us!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Fantastic experience from start to…
Fantastic experience from start to finish. We loved bed it and our pilot and crew were great. Definitely recommend
July 29, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
We're so pleased to hear this Katherine! Glad you enjoyed your flight with us and hope you'll be joining us again in the not too distant future!
Thank you for taking the time to leave this review, and for recommending us :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Loved every minute of it ,apart from…
Loved every minute of it ,apart from getting up at 4am 👍😀
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Les,
Awwww we know, those early starts are no fun at all! So worth it though once you get up there and we're glad you had a fantastic time with us! :)
Maybe a sunset flight next time?
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
It was great from beginning to end
It was great from beginning to end. Highly recommend.
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're glad you had a fantastic time with us and thank you for the recommendation!
Can we tempt you to another? :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Lack of ballon flights during winter period
We could only go from one location therefore we were not able to go on a balloon flight for at least another six months due to non-availability & other factors, We communicated with Natalie from Customer Services who was able to assist us by extending our vouchers to enable us to book another trip next year. Excellent service!
August 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi there,
Ahhhh Natalie will be chuffed to bits when she sees this review! It will make her day!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review and we hope to get you up in the skies in the not too distant future :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
crew friendly and professional
The crew team were friendly and efficient and made us feel completely at ease. The balloon flight was lovely and the pilots talked to us about the meteorological conditions favourable for ballooning etc. The landing was a bit bouncy but we had been shown and practised safe landing position etc so all was fine. A calm, beautiful and very memorable experience.
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Sally,
Thank you for your lovely review!
We bet the bouncy landing was a load of fun but glad you landed safe and sound! It's lovely to read that you had a great flight experience with us. You're welcome back anytime! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
It was great
It was great! Finally got a chance to take a ride after 5 years due to cancellations.
Have a Happy time!
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi there,
Thank you so much for sticking with us for 5 years - just goes to show that perseverance really pays off!
Thank you for flying with us, you're welcome back anytime :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Good organization and communication
Good organization and communication. I recommend it to everyone.
July 31, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Thanks Kris! Much appreciated! Glad you've been happy with everything so far - it's what we like to hear! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Nice one Tom! Thank you for the lovely review, our Customer Services Team will be over the moon with your feedback! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Formal Complaint – Unfulfilled Hot Air Balloon Voucher and Request for Resolution
Dear Virgin,
Unfortunately, we have reached the point where we can no longer continue trying to use our weekday hot air balloon vouchers without a meaningful solution from Virgin.
We have been trying to book and take this experience for approximately three years. During this time, we have made more than eight attempts, carefully booking in advance, monitoring the weather and ensuring that everything appears suitable for the flight.
Despite this, every attempt has ultimately ended in cancellation. On the day of the scheduled flight, we are required to call after 2pm, only to receive an automated message informing us that the flight has been cancelled. There is no meaningful explanation and, more importantly, no alternative solution that enables us to actually use the experience we paid for.
We have already contacted Virgin about this issue and were essentially told that we would simply have to keep trying. After three years and more than eight unsuccessful attempts, we do not consider this to be a reasonable solution.
We have also asked whether we can cancel the vouchers and receive a refund, particularly given the considerable amount of time that has passed and the fact that we have repeatedly been unable to receive the service we paid for. Unfortunately, we were told that this was not possible.
This leaves us in an unacceptable position: we have paid a significant amount for an experience that, despite numerous genuine attempts over several years, we have been unable to use, while Virgin’s proposed solution is simply for us to continue trying indefinitely.
This is my final attempt to resolve the matter directly and amicably with Virgin. We would therefore ask that you review our situation properly and provide a practical resolution, whether that is a refund, an extension or replacement that gives us a realistic opportunity to use the experience, or another appropriate solution.
We have been extremely patient throughout this process, but after three years, we do not believe that being told to “keep trying” is an adequate response.
If we cannot reach a satisfactory resolution, we will have no choice but to escalate the matter through the appropriate channels.
I look forward to receiving a substantive response and a practical solution rather than being advised simply to attempt another booking.
July 24, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Dear Mr & Mrs Wills,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review, and we're very sorry to read how disappointing your experience has been.
Firstly, we'd like to sincerely apologise for the number of weather-related cancellations you've experienced. We completely understand how frustrating it is to make arrangements for a flight, only to find that the weather conditions are not suitable. Safety will always be our absolute priority, and while cancellations are never the outcome we want, they are sometimes unavoidable.
We appreciate that, after several cancellations over a number of years, you are understandably looking for a resolution. We would really like the opportunity to review your individual circumstances fully before any decisions are made.
If you could please email us with your voucher numbers and security codes at customerservice@virginballoonflights.co.uk and we will be more than happy to investigate this for you and consider what options may be available to you.
We certainly don't want you to feel that your concerns are being dismissed, and we would appreciate the opportunity to resolve this directly with you.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope we can work together to find a suitable resolution.
Best wishes,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Just all round excellent
Just all round excellent. Friendly skilled pilot, great group of people, beautiful evening. So glad I did it.
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Neil,
Thank you for the brilliant review!
We'd love to say we arranged the beautiful evening especially for you... but we have to give Mother Nature credit for that one! 😄
We're so pleased you had such a fantastic time with us and that our pilot and the rest of the group helped make it an experience to remember.
Thanks again for flying with us, and we're delighted you decided to take the leap... now the only question is, when are you coming back?
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team🎈
Totally professional from start to…
Totally professional from start to finish, pilot was amazing, very informative, just had a great time.
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Kim - that's exactly what we like to read! Thank you so much for taking the time to review your experience with us!
You know where we are if you would like to fly with us again! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
What an amazing experience
What an amazing experience! The pilot was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area, pointing out landmarks as we drifted along. The flight was so peaceful, weather was perfect and so beautiful to see the early morning sun. Take off and landing were very smooth better than I was expecting lol.
It was great to be hands on, getting involved making the balloon ready to inflate then help fold it up and pack it away at the end .. makes you feel totally immersed and part of the team! The whole team were friendly and made you feel at ease and safe at all times.
After the flight we had a glass of bucks fizz and were given our certificates before being transported back to our cars.
The early morning start was so worth it .. Thank you for making my dream a reality!
August 3, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Jennie - we're so pleased we could help tick a dream off your bucket list – that's exactly what we love to hear!
It sounds like you got the full VIP treatment too... from becoming an honorary member of the ground crew to enjoying a well-earned glass of fizz afterwards! We should probably start handing out employee badges to everyone who helps pack the balloon away ;)
Thank you again for choosing to fly with us, and we hope we'll see you back in a basket with us again one day!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team🎈
Very nice flight
Very nice flight, smooth taking off and a smooth landing barely felt a thing, was nice in the air and had some amazing views
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hey!
Thank you for the very nice review ;)
We're so glad the flight was everything you hoped for and you got to enjoy some incredible scenery! A smooth take off and landing is exactly what our pilots aim for!
Thank you for flying with us!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Worthwhile experience
The whole experience was well worth it. We had two cancellations due to weather conditions before finally getting a morning flight. We were so glad we went. It was a beautiful experience, being up in the morning sky, savouring the stillness. My husband is afraid of heights, but he barely sensed that he was 1000 feet up in the air because the movement was so gentle, and the basket very secure.
Our pilot was excellent and landed us very well.
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Hannah,
Thank you so much for your lovely review!
They do say the best things come to those who wait... although we're fairly sure they weren't talking about the British weather! We're delighted it was worth the wait and that you were finally able to enjoy such a peaceful morning in the skies with us :)
It's also fantastic to hear that your husband discovered hot air balloons have a rather clever way of making even those who aren't keen on heights forget they're high above the ground. We hear that quite a lot, and it's always lovely to know another nervous flyer has come back with a smile.
We hope to welcome you both back for another adventure someday! Just get in touch and we'll sort you a cheeky discount!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team🎈
We have been trying to book a balloon…
We have been trying to book a balloon trip for an evening....no luck at all....plenty for mornings. they don't tell you the difficulty in booking when you buy vouchers to see the availability...the whole booking process is a farce, and if you cant get a booking in 12 months (i'm not holding my breath) you cant get a refund, bearing in mind they don't fly in winter. id give it 1 star but see what happens!
August 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Chris,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review and we're sorry to hear about your frustration.
Evening flights are naturally more popular unfortunately and, as a result, they can fill more quickly when new flight dates are released.
We do fully appreciate that this can be disappointing if you're only able to fly in the evening. We do release flight dates on a rolling basis throughout the season rather than all at once, however we now have more flexibility!
Our vouchers are valid for 12 months to allow passengers the opportunity to book throughout a full flying season, and if a flight is cancelled by us due to the weather, we automatically extend the voucher for 6 months from the date of the cancellation to ensure you don't lose out on flying opportunities.
We'd really like the opportunity to look into your account and booking history and see if there's anything we can do to help you.
If you could contact our Customer Services Team on 01952 212750 with your voucher number and security code and we'll be happy to help.
We hope to hear from you soon.
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
What an amazing experience
What an amazing experience
Had an AM flight over the Kent countryside
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi David,
Thank you and we're so glad you had an incredible flight experience with us. We appreciate you taking the time to leave this lovely review.
You know where we are if you ever want to give it another go! ;)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Great experience
well organised, professionally run and good people
Gavin was engaging, spoke when he needed to and was clear with his instruction
it felt comfortable at all times, and the weather and views were perfect
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Andy,
Good people is exactly what we pride ourselves on and we're so glad you enjoyed your flight experience with us!
We're glad you felt comfortable the entire time too!
If you ever want to fly with us again then do get in touch for a cheeky discount ;)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Lovely Experience
A great team looked after us, the weather conditions were perfect, the lift off and landing was smooth, overall lovely experience.
July 28, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hello!
We're so pleased you felt looked after by our wonderful pilot and crew! This is exactly what we love to hear!
We thank you for flying with us and and hope you'll join us again in the future! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Gavin and the team were fantastic and…
Gavin and the team were fantastic and made the whole day one to remember! Fantastic and would recommend to anyone who wants to go in a balloon!
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Ryan,
Thank you so much for your kind and positive feedback - we will surely pass this on to Gavin and his crew! It will make their day!
Thank you for flying with us! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
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