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
Company replied
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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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
Once in a lifetime experience
This is a one in a lifetime experience,
Very memorable for a special occasion .
The pilot and staff are very friendly and helpful, with years of experience.
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hey Claire,
This is wonderful to read and we're so glad you enjoyed every minute of your flight with us. It really is one to tick off that bucket list!
Can we tempt you to another? :)
Thanks again
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
It was one of the best experiences we…
It was one of the best experiences we have all had, such a wonderful morning
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Jennifer,
Wow! We're so glad that flying with us topped many of the other experiences you've tried along the way!
Thank you for your kind review, we really appreciate it :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Gavin and his team made the morning one…
Gavin and his team made the morning one to remember.
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Malcolm,
'One to Remember' is exactly what we love to hear! Thank you for your kind review and we're glad you enjoyed flying with us :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Chris was knowledgable and friendly…
Chris was knowledgable and friendly helped everyone and supervised us on the help for putting the balloon away ,all good fun ,a great experience. thanks to him and the team.
Nick
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hiya Nick,
Ahhhh thanks for this review! Glad you had lots of fun and we will certainly pass your kind comments on to Chris! He will really appreciate the feedback!
Thank you for flying with us.
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team :)
Was an amazing experience
Was an amazing experience. Lovely morning flight and the flight team were brilliant. Matt the pilot was very friendly and made the experience memorable.
August 4, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Oliver!
This is great to read! Thank you for taking the time to leave us a lovely little review! We really appreciate it!
We hope you'll be taking to the skies with us again soon! We always look after our returning fliers! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
It was frustrating not being able to go…
It was frustrating not being able to go on my brothers birthday.But it was well worth it.The pilot was lovely and ìnformative.It ŵas a wonderful experience.
August 1, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We're sorry ballooning couldn't be part of your brother's birthday after all, but we're so pleased the day finally arrived and proved worth the wait. It's lovely to hear the pilot helped make it such an enjoyable flight.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Exhilarating hot air balloon ride…
I bought my voucher just over a year ago and had 6 cancellations due to wrong weather conditions. Finally got airborne on 7th booking. Originally books for Hatfield House but was transferred to Biggleswade due to wind direction. This was a bit disappointing as surrounding area less interesting from above. Overall though the flight experience was exhilarating! Well worth the wait and getting up for a 5.30am meet. Our pilot was very experienced, we had a safe, smooth, flight and landing. Plus a glass of Prosecco after to celebrate. So glad I got to fly in a hot air balloon great experience!
August 1, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We'd say a 5.30am alarm is much easier to forgive when it ends with a balloon flight and a glass of Prosecco! We're so pleased your seventh booking was finally the one, and that our pilot gave you such a smooth, safe flight.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
A magical experience!
Great communication- I received an email confirmation that the flight was on and a clear message was left on the flight line, with additional useful tips.
Nobby was utterly brilliant- a very experienced, highly skilled and knowledgable pilot, pointing out useful places and areas we were flying over or could see in the distance. I felt incredibly safe with him navigating and controlling such an enormous and powerful balloon. We had the most fabulous flight and our landing was seamless. Nobby also shared many entertaining stories with us as we enjoyed our post-flight drink. I would highly recommend flying with him.
Steve and Glynn who were part of the team were so friendly, experienced, knowledgeable and interesting to talk to as well.
Thank you all for making my balloon flight so magical, memorable and special.
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We'd say balloons might bring people to the skies, but it's our crews who make them want to come back. Nobby, Steve and Glynn will be chuffed to read this. Thanks for taking the time to recognise the whole team.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Our pilot Chris was hilarious
Our pilot Chris was hilarious. The flight was a little short - just 45 minutes but the wind direction changed a lot. We were so low that we could see rabbits running about - as well as deer, a stork flying and fish in a pool. It was also eerily quiet up there. The landing was eventful but we were safe. Such fun!
This was our first booking with the voucher so easy for us but one had to not go as she found out she was pregnant the night before.
August 1, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Rabbits, deer, a stork, fish... it sounds like you had the VIP tour of the countryside! We'll make sure Chris sees your lovely comments too. A pilot who keeps everyone laughing is worth his weight in gold.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Great crews make great balloon flights, so it's lovely to hear ours looked after you so well. Thanks for flying with us!
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Up up and away!
It was great from start to finish. The pilot and crew were very friendly snd involved us in the whole experience they wete very professional and helpful maki d sure we enjoyedour experience. The flight went very smoothly thanks to the pilot.
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
"Up, up and away!"... that's exactly what we love to hear! We're so pleased the crew made you feel part of the adventure from the very beginning, and that the pilot delivered such a smooth flight.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Amazing experience
Amazing experience, great pilot (Mike) great humour and a fantastic evening- still smiling ☺️
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We love hearing that the smile lasted long after the balloon landed! We'll pass your kind words on to Mike, who'll be delighted to know his humour was as memorable as the flight itself.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
A bucket list experience and one I won't forget…
A truly magical experience and one I would definitely do again. So peaceful, calm and tranquil, I could have stayed in the air for longer. The weather was great, clear and sunny and a sunrise balloon ride was a great way to start the day :-)
Great pilot and staff, made it fun by getting everyone involved setting up and packing away. Lovely to relax at the end to finish the moment with a glass of bubbly!
August 1, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We always know it's gone well when the only complaint is that it ended too soon! We're so pleased you embraced every part of the adventure, from getting the balloon ready to celebrating afterwards with a well-earned glass of bubbly.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
My surprise birthday experience for my girlfriend
It was so easy to order and quick. information was simple and easy and corispondence was also quick
The staff on the day very friendly and informative
Very much enjoyed the whole experience
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
That's a birthday surprise that's going to take some beating! We're delighted everything ran smoothly from the moment you booked, and that our team helped make the day so special.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Amazing experience
Amazing experience! 5 Stars all the way! The pilot was excellent… no bumps felt even towards the end! Very smooth ride…. With explanations, fun facts and answers to questions… really excellent customer service!
August 1, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
A balloon flight that's smooth, fun and full of fascinating facts... that's exactly what we aim for. Thanks for your brilliant review, and we'll be sure to share it with the pilot.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Good things really do come to those who wait! We're delighted the weather finally played ball and gave you such a beautiful morning to fly.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
A birthday present for the wife
A birthday present for the wife. She loved it. Loads of hands on get stuck in helping out too. Excellent experience. Well worth the trip. Staff were really nice and friendly. The pilot was great too. Loved the nice soft landing with the different levels of altitudes of flying. Highly recommend.
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Sounds like you picked a winning birthday present! We're so pleased she loved every minute, and it's great to hear you both enjoyed getting stuck in with the balloon as well. We'll make sure your kind words are shared with the pilot and crew.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
David and his team were brilliant from…
David and his team were brilliant from start to finish and made our experience everything you could have hoped for. I highly recommend a flight from Norfolk (we were extremely lucky the balloon took off from 2 minutes from our house!) with David and his brilliant crew
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We can't promise a launch site two minutes from home every time, but we're delighted the stars aligned for you! We'll make sure David and the crew see your lovely comments. Thanks for your recommendation.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
The whole experience was great from…
The whole experience was great from helping set up the balloon to the flight and packing up everything. Pilot was great.
August 2, 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We think the best balloon flights are the ones where everyone gets stuck in! It's great to hear you enjoyed everything from setting the balloon up to packing it away afterwards. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to the pilot.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
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