Trying to find the perfect gift for that special person in your life can prove difficult especially when there is so much choice.
Why not give them the gift of a hot air balloon ride with Virgin Balloon Flights? Let them see the world from a bird's eye view and indulge in spectacular views of the Great British countryside.
Whilst we’re sure no one would turn their nose up at the gift of a hot air balloon ride, there are some things you should consider before buying to be sure it is the perfect gift.
When will they want to fly?
The most important decision to make is what voucher type would be best. The voucher types we offer reflect how flexible you want them to be when making bookings.
Can they fly Monday to Friday, or do they need the option of flying on a weekend? Would morning flights be suitable for them, or would they prefer an evening flight to work around childcare? Do they work full time and so would ideally need a weekend flight to avoid using annual leave?
Each voucher type has a description of what is included in the experience, and the “Important bits” explain clearly how we schedule dates when our flying season runs and if the voucher is refundable or not. “Who Can Fly” details the restrictions we have with regard to height, weight, and pregnancy.
All of our hot air balloon ride vouchers are non-refundable except the 7 Day Anytime Plus, which does offer a weather refund option subject to conditions.
It’s weather-dependent!
It is important to remember that ballooning is a weather-dependent activity, so if the weather conditions are unsuitable on the day of the flight, it will be cancelled.
But don’t worry; the vouchers return to a bookable status for another booking to be made. It is worth thinking about this when choosing a voucher type to be sure the gift recipient can re-book onto a date that suits them best.
For more information on how the weather affects our flights, please take a look here.
How about a gift package?
Once you know which voucher type you need, you can then decide if you want to purchase the vouchers alone or as part of a gift package.
Our gift packages give you the chance to make the gift extra special and include 1 or 2 vouchers of your choice. You can view the gift packages we offer here. The voucher type is detailed under “What’s Included” along with extras such as a helium “balloon in a box”, a Pilot Hugo teddy bear, or a luxury wicker hamper.
All orders are processed and shipped on the same day (subject to the time of order). However, we can delay the delivery of our “balloon in a box” gift packages to ensure the helium balloon arrives in optimum condition. Please contact us as soon as you have placed your order to arrange this.
Are they scared of heights?
It should come as no surprise that our balloons fly high, up to 5000ft, in fact! Many passengers are nervous and apprehensive about flying, but rest assured that all our pilots are very experienced and take passenger safety extremely seriously. They are more than happy to answer any questions or concerns to help put you at ease for the flight. The flight itself is calm and serene. You don’t even feel like you’re moving, it’s like you’re looking out of a window but with a 360-degree view!
Make someone’s Christmas or Birthday with the magical gift of a hot air balloon ride!
If you still have questions, take a look at our FAQ section online. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us by phone, email, or through our Live Chat facility on our website. We’d be happy to help!