We were so delighted when this flight went ahead as we had tried about 5 times before but each time was cancelled. It was WELL WORTH the wait! Good clear communication, a very experienced and good hu... See more
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Team were really good. We got involved with getting balloon ready and packing away afterwards which was really good. Flight itself was fabulous and pilot pointed out different areas. Photos and vide... See more
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Tom, our pilot, was courteous and professional, gave clear instructions and invited and answered all and any questions. His two support crew were equally friendly and helpful. Instructions to get to t... See more
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An experience well worth the wait. I felt safe and reassured by our pilot Robert, taking off from Mattishall. Smooth take off and even smoother landing. Very knowledgeable of the area. Relaxing and 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
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It was our 15th attempt over three…
It was our 15th attempt over three years but the experience last night was perfect.
As Nobby said to us we are rubbish at picking good weather.
I was disappointed that we had to use the back up site as I wanted to fly out of Bristol but it turned out to be a perfect flight.
The booking process isn't the easiest to navigate and sometimes the team answering the phones haven't been overly helpful but some have gone the extra mile.
On one occasion we had a flight booked and confirmed with all the appropriate correspondence but on the actual day it transpired that you were not running flights anywhere that day.
11 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hey Maggie,
Wow! 15th time lucky! 🎈😄
We’re so pleased you finally got airborne after three years of trying. It sounds like Nobby may have a point about your weather-picking skills! We might have to take charge of the forecast for attempt number 16... 😉
It’s great to hear that, despite not launching from Bristol as you’d hoped, the backup site delivered a perfect flight and made all those previous attempts worthwhile.
We really appreciate your honest feedback about the booking process and your experiences with our team too. We know that after so many attempts, the journey to getting in the basket hasn’t always been as smooth as the eventual flight, and we’ll certainly take those comments on board.
Most importantly, you made it! Thanks for sticking with us for an incredible 15 attempts. We think that deserves a certificate of its own! 🎈
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
the pilot was informative and friendly
the pilot was informative and friendly, also knowledgable with experience of flying, which gave me confididence of him being in control at all times.
the landing was as perfect as can be in a local field.
6 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Thank you so much for this lovely review! We're glad you fully enjoyed your flight experience with us!
You're welcome back anytime! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
No communication at all
Shocking communication we had booked the lakes as that was the closest to us which is a 3 hour drive away. We got told to ring the flight number at 11pm the night before we did and it still had the information for 9th morning and not the 10th we kept trying every half an hour same message for the morning of the 9th. We decided to get there for 5am as we had no communication from pilot and stated on website it can be an hour each way from 6am. We tried every half an hour and same message was occurring.
We pulled up at the gates at 5am and we tried to call the emergency number as still no communication the emergency number just rang so we decided to try the flight number once more which then the pilot decided to update the phone line to say it has been cancelled 1 hour before we fly when it should have been updated at 11pm. We drove all the way to the lakes for nothing getting told an hour before the flight is not good enough. We understand balloons have to have perfect weather but informing us an hour before hand isn't on we lost a full day as it was an 6 hour round trip. We called the customer service team and a lady answered and he attitude was awful as well. Do better virgin balloon rides
10 August 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Emily,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We’re incredibly sorry to hear about your experience, particularly after you had travelled such a long distance to reach the launch site.
We completely understand your frustration with the communication around the cancellation.
We’re also sorry to hear about your experience when speaking with a member of our Customer Service team, as this isn’t the level of service we aim to provide.
We have now been able to locate your account and understand that your vouchers were extended by the same member of our Customer Services Team for 12 months free of charge as a way of an apology. The Flight Line hadn't been updated due to a technical glitch which we fully understand is not ideal. We would like to re-assure you that this is a very rare occurrence and shouldn't happen again.
Once again we sincerely apologise for the error and inconvenience caused. If there is anything further you would like to discuss with us then please don't hesitate to contact us on 01952 212750 or email us at customerservice@virginballoonflights.co.uk and we'll always do our best to help.
Thank you again for taking the time to leave a review.
Kind regards,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
An experience well worth the wait
An experience well worth the wait. I felt safe and reassured by our pilot Robert, taking off from Mattishall. Smooth take off and even smoother landing. Very knowledgeable of the area. Relaxing and peaceful journey, wish we could've stayed up longer. Finished off with a nice glass of bubbly. Would highly recommend
11 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We're so glad to read that you thoroughly enjoyed your experience! Sounds like everything went without a hitch! The glass of fizz at the end is certainly a nice way to top it all off!
Thank you for this lovely review and recommendation, we really appreciate it :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Weather was perfect after 3.5 years of…
Weather was perfect after 3.5 years of waiting!!
11 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Abi & Will,
Thank you both so much for sticking with us through think and thin! We're really pleased that after such a long time you finally got to get up there and enjoy the experience!
We hope it was worth the wait :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Absolutely amazing such an incredible…
Absolutely amazing such an incredible experience, surrounded by great people.
11 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi there!
That's amazing to hear! Glad both the flight and the people involved added to your experience with us :)
Thank you for flying with us!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Hot air balloon experience
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, though the photograph package is a waste of money. We are barely visible in many of the photos and of those we were prominent in were mostly out of focus. Don't waste your money on them
3 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your review. We're really pleased to hear you thoroughly enjoyed your balloon flight and had a great experience with us.
We're so sorry to read though that the flight photos didn't meet your expectations, particularly with some of the images not capturing you clearly. We completely understand how disappointing this would be when you've purchased them as a keepsake. Please do get in touch with us at customerservice@virginballoonflights.co.uk so that we can look to resolve this for you.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention and for leaving this honest review of your experience.
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team :)
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Lynda,
This is simply a brilliant review! Many thanks for your review and for flying with us, we're really glad you enjoyed it! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Awesome experience!
10 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Thank you for your awesome review! Fancy another? ;)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Amazing can’t express my feelings it…
Amazing can’t express my feelings it was fantastic and best flight I ever had in my life.
9 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Kinjal!
Wow! Being lost for words really is one of the best compliments we can ever receive! We're so glad you had an amazing flight with us and you're welcome back anytime!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team :)
Really enjoyed the experience
Really enjoyed the experience, but I understand that the wind was not cooperating (natural occurrence). I got some great photographs.
9 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Thanks Paul! We're glad you enjoyed your experience and got to capture some wonderful piccies!
You're welcome back anytime and hopefully the wind will play ball next time ;)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Balloon review
Mike and the team were very professional and made the experience very enjoyable.Although the journey after landing I think was a bit drawn out probably due to road closures for the balloon team to get to us and return us to the fiesta ground.I think if dedicated roads were used for balloon team and their passengers the experience would be speeded up considerably.
7 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hey Nigel!
Thank you for the fab review! We're so sorry the journey at the end was a bit of an endurance test, road closures certainly aren't ideal but we're glad it hasn't taken away from the experience overall! :)
We really appreciate this review and your kind feedback, it's really appreciated!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Thank you Bev! Glad you enjoyed your flight with us :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Don’t do it
Don’t do it. Four years of the balloon flight being cancelled and the day it finally went ahead they changed the take off venue at the last minute and we couldn’t make it. Lost over £400.
Re:the reply below. We spent hours on the phone with their team arguing about the unfairness of it. They showed no empathy. Computer says no so that was it. They advertise a balloon flight over historic Oxford but they admitted their launch site has been under construction for over two years. Instead it’s a flight 50 miles away over fields. We even rang the Met Office who confirmed that the hot air balloon weather report for that evening in Oxford was perfect. They just make stuff up.
10 August 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We completely understand why, after four years of weather cancellations, missing the flight when it finally went ahead would have been incredibly disappointing.
Our launch sites can sometimes change on the day due to wind direction and flying conditions, which is why backup locations form part of our flight planning. However, we'd like to look specifically at what happened with your booking and the communication you received before commenting further.
Please get in touch with our team with your booking details so we can review this properly.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Constant begging for a review.
8 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Well, we certainly can't accuse you of ignoring the request!
Joking aside, we appreciate the feedback and we'll take a look at the communications you've received, as we certainly don't want our experience review invitations becoming a nuisance.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
There's something pretty special about watching the world drift quietly beneath you. We're so pleased you got to experience ballooning at its tranquil best.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
An absolute thrilling experience…
An absolute thrilling experience floating in the sky was peaceful and beautiful.
9 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Thrilling and peaceful all at the same time... ballooning is funny like that! We're so pleased you got to experience just how special life above the clouds can be.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Very enjoyable experience
My son & i enjoyed the balloon ride immensely which was an hour long. Our pilot Chris was friendly & informative during the flight. What we weren't awhere of was the hour before & another hour after was spent helping to set up the balloon & pack it away. This meant our flight didn't start till 7pm instead of 6pm & we didn't leave till 9.30pm after getting back to our car. But the 3 guys who organised it all were lovely & made the experience even more enjoyable especially ending with a glass of buck fizz which was a nice touch.
1 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
It sounds like Chris and the team looked after you both brilliantly, and we're so pleased you enjoyed your time in the air.
Thanks as well for highlighting the timings around setting up and packing away. We appreciate that part of the experience wasn't quite what you expected beforehand, and it's useful feedback for us when looking at how clearly we communicate what the full ballooning adventure involves.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Balloon over Bath
This was our first ever ballon experience and we absolutely loved it from start to finish. Our pilot Nobby Simmons was brilliant and very informative. We were a little nervous at the start but being involved from start to finish with the balloon preparation and chatting with the pilot throughout really helped.
The flight was amazing, beautiful views with various points of interest always pointed out. It was a beautiful hour in the skies and would definitely recommend.
This company are brilliant on safety and making sure the weather conditions are perfect for a great experience. If flights have to be cancelled, it is always for your safety and absolutely worth the wait.
We 100% recommend this fantastic adventure and a glass of bubbly at the end went down a treat!
Hugh thanks
10 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
From a few nerves on the ground to an hour floating over beautiful Bath... it sounds like Nobby had you converted pretty quickly! We'll make sure he sees your fantastic comments.
And thank you for recognising just how important the weather decisions are too. Safety will always win over getting a balloon airborne, so hearing you say it's worth the wait means a lot to the whole team.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Be prepared for cancellations but don't give up…
Firstly when booking be aware that you may not do your flight when or where you'd ideally choose to. This is because you can only fly in very specific weather conditions, it may look calm and sunny to you but if the wind is too high it makes landing unsafe and they do not risk safety. Difficult to fully understand until you actually do the flight.
It took us 3 years and 10 attempts, one attempt we actually got to launch site but unfortunately the weather had changed and was unsafe. Launch site may also change to a back up site so be prepared you may be travelling further than planned.
When we first booked it we booked it 3 hours from home, took time off work and booked a hotel and it was cancelled! Best advice is choose a site close to home and be prepared it may go from a back up launch site. It's easy to say but be patient, expect cancellations, there's absolutely nothing you can do and there's no cheat code for 'better' location.
Unfortunately I just stopped getting excited about it and to be honest just wanted to 'get it over and done with'. We know people who just gave up and obviously you don't get a refund. When you do actually do it it'll be worth it. We went from Tissington hall, we booked Bakewell but it was absolutely stunning. Incredible experience and felt super comfortable with our pilot.
You can get involved with set up and definitely need to help packing up. Wear sensible walking shoes as you will land in a random field that may or may not have copious amounts of cow pats!
Just try and go with the flow with getting booked on and rebooking.
8 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Ten attempts over three years... you certainly earned that flight over Tissington!
Thank you for sticking with it, but also for writing such a balanced account of what booking a balloon flight can sometimes involve. You’ve explained perfectly why a beautiful day on the ground doesn't always mean safe conditions in the air, and why our pilots will never take chances with safety.
We're especially pleased that, after such a long journey to get there, the flight itself proved worth it. And yes... sensible shoes are always a very good idea. We unfortunately have very little influence over where the cows have been!
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
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