Balloon ride (for dads birthday) anyone recently done one?

[byf1]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of doing something special for my old man's 61st bday and was thinking about a balloon pleasure flight, I've always fancied doing one so I gain from it aswell!!

Has anyone done this, if so was it worth the £100+?

What was it like?

Also if anyone got a good deal with a company, that would be good to know.

Cheers

 

[Manx Shearwater]

I've not done one recently, but I did one over the Masaii Mara a few years ago (ooooooh, get him!), and it was brilliant.

The landing is a bit exciting though!!! That's all I'll say!

 

[rool]

I've not done one recently, but I did one over the Masaii Mara a few years ago (ooooooh, get him!), and it was brilliant.

The landing is a bit exciting though!!! That's all I'll say!

Keep an eye out on groupon as they often have champagne balloon flights for £99 with Virgin.

 

[rool]

61% off an Unforgettable Hot Air Balloon Flight with Virgin Balloon Flights

 

[Uncle C]

This would be the ultimate ride.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Probably v.good if you don't mind heights - which rules me out - but I thought that balloons in this country could only fly on a very few days in the year, due to the weather. I know someone who bought a trip as a present and kept having to put it off every time, which went on for months.

 

[goldstone]

One thing to bear in mind is our often crappy weather.

I have had 12, yes 12 unsuccessful attempts to use my voucher. 12 dates confirmed, 12 times cancelled due to inclement weather. Effing frustrating. On the other hand some friends went up first time.

 

[Biscuit]

My auntie did it and got some amazing photos of all over Sussex. She LOVED it.


My idea of hell mind.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

I did one with Virgin last August.

As a previous poster mentions, be prepared for disappointment, my flight was cancelled 7 times and took 18 months before a sucessfull flight eventually took place.

A CPL Balloon pilot won't fly with a wind speed > 10 mph, any low cloud is also a no-no.

As also mentioned, the landing is quite tasty when the wind is > 5 mph as the basket will roll and drag for a bit "assume the brace position - brace! brace! brace!"
Champagne in a field after was a bit off my taste.

Another line ticked in the 100 things I want to do before I die.

 

[Bert365]

My mum did one a few years back from arundel. She loved it till it crashed and broke both her legs. fully recovered now just had a fear for balloons. they played flying without wings in the ambulance on the way to st Richards.

 

[The Modfather]

Did one 5/6 years ago over Sussex, would definitely recommend it.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

I did one earlier this week. Those bloody A380 pilots think they own the bloody sky.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

My Son paid for a Champagne Balloon Flight for my 60th birthday...great day...look out Biggles,here I come.....go on one flight,it's great. Global Balloon Flights over Sussex and Kent,my flight was on 1/8/99
Tel 0185 76650

 

[fire&skill]

I booked one to celebrate our marriage but it was too windy that day and I was asked to call to rearrange.

That was 1995. I wonder if they're still sat by the phone?

 

[Dorset Seagull]

Did one for my 40th birthday and it was brilliant, however, for my 50th I did a tandem parachute jump and it was the most fantastic thing I have ever done