Company

Virgin Balloon Flights

Jesson House, TF3 3BD, Telford, Shropshire, GB

About Virgin Balloon Flights

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.

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Sandra Boachie 28 November 2024, 04:27

Great service - swift and polite.

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Gillian Hall 27 November 2024, 18:45

Lyn was most helpful today. Dealt with my enquiry swiftly

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Elizabeth 27 November 2024, 18:38

Any and all contact with the team has been a very positive experience. Always cheerful, polite and extremely happy to help.

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Frankie Hadland 27 November 2024, 17:43

I needed to speak to someone as my flight vouchers are due to expire in a couple of weeks and I have not been able to rebook as it is out of season. The chat function was straight forward to use and my enquiry was dealt with promptly and without any fuss. They were able to extend my voucher so that I am able to rebook in the new year. Very happy with the service 😊

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Deborah Meek 26 November 2024, 22:26

Lynn was very polite and courteous she helped me with my enquiry and resolved it!! If only more people were as helpful as Lynn

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Rebecca 20 November 2024, 01:46

Our pilot Ben Raven was fantastic, he was so knowledgable and happy to answer any of our questions. The whole experience was a big team effort and it’s great to relax with everyone afterwards with a glass of bubbly.

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Natasha Baron 19 November 2024, 23:02

My partner purchased this experience for my 30th birthday! We were able to fly first time, with no cancellations and had a wonderful trip. Ben and the team went above and beyond, we had a great little group and really enjoyed the whole experience. Thank you for a great day.

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Maria Kovaleva 19 November 2024, 22:36

Amazing experience. Our pilot Nobby Simons was extremely knowledgeable and very professional. Explained everything in simple words and made the experience smooth. The view from above in clear sky is unbelievable. You look at the laces from a completely different prospective. Definitely recommend.

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Bec 19 November 2024, 21:08

First time booking flight and it went ahead. I appreciate I'm lucky but weather can't be helped. Professional pilot and great to get stuck in to help with the whole process. Perfectly beautiful day, nature on show from the best view.

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Allan 19 November 2024, 19:18

Luckily picked a near perfect day after a poor autumn. Super flight and great company. Ben was an excellent host/pilot and even he was pleased with his Dip and Dash in the River Lune. Maybe two pairs of little ladders/steps (kept in the trailer)would help the not so nimble getting in (and even out) of the basket.

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Kayleigh 19 November 2024, 17:24

We had a balloon flight booked for the morning of the 11/11/2024 and had to ring up at 11pm the night before for a flight update. Due to possible weather issues Nobby explained very clearly on the answer machine that the morning flight had been postponed and we could possibly fly in the afternoon. We had to ring back the flight number in the morning. These answer machine messages are clear and extremely helpful and explain why certain conditions are not suitable for hot air ballooning. We were able to go up at 2pm that day. On arrival we had a welcome greeting and given safety sheets to read. Some were able to help with pumping air into the balloon too. Climbing into the basket was fine however if you have mobility issues it may not be easy. Take off was effortless and it was magnificent to see the town get smaller. The weather conditions were perfect up in the air and it honestly didn’t even feel like we were high up. No wind, just pure silence. Luckily the wind blew us out of Swindon towards Avebury (near to where I live) so that was a lovely surprise. The landing was fun, a few bumps and a side tip! We all helped pack the balloon away too. Glass of bubbly at the end! Then a mini bus ride back to our starting point. Nobby and his crew were amazing throughout. I can highly recommend flying with nobby and his gang! Such a magical experience and definitely worth the wait for the perfect weather for views and safety reasons.

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Consumer 19 November 2024, 17:20

Breathtaking! What an incredible experience! Nobby is such a professional, and instantly put my initial nerves to rest as soon as we met. His knowledge of ballooning is unchallenged. The whole experience from start to finish was fantastic, from watching the inflation, the seemless take off, the incredible views, the perfect landing to the team effort for packing the balloon away at the end! This was a 30th birthday present and it’s something I’ll remember for life. Already considering another flight again! Thank you Nobby and team!

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Mari Williams 18 November 2024, 21:11

Virgin's customer service is awful so this review is not for them but for the amazing guys who ran the event. Peter Philpott and Steve Crew. From the moment we arrived they were professional but really put us all at ease. It was a still day but popping up above the clouds was magical. Drifting low over the houses and waving to people was fun too. For me though being above the clouds in silence was my most wonderful memory. They guys were funny and friendly. When we landed they still helped us take photos and allowed all the local kids in the part that we landed in to help. The kids were amazed. I highly recommend them and they definitely helped my experience be as great as it was. I don't recommend virgin unless you are entirely sure you can make the day. I was unwell with a chest infection and had nearly been hospitalised and was told I had no choice but to attend, give the day to someone else or pay £80 to rebook!

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Clare Fitzjohn 18 November 2024, 20:38

Thanks to the great British weather, took us a while to get a flight but it was very much worth the wait. Going into the clouds was one of the most surreal experiences. The whole team provided an exceptional experience, one that my daughter and I will never forget! Thank you.

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Brian 15 November 2024, 22:54

Only one cancellation (due to weather conditions!) After a very comprehensive pre flight safety briefing by pilot Pete Philpot the guys took position holding the crown rope whilst the balloon was inflated - a Tug of war which we were never going to win...Once inflated it was time to climb aboard and assume positions for take off. Burners on and away we went. The advice to wear a hat was appreciated, it gets pretty warm with the burners going. A steady flight over lovely countryside the colour of the trees this time of year was great. A commentary of all the stately homes in the area was topped off with a "Fly Past" by a Spitfire! The landing was a gentle 3 bump affair, the basket remaining upright - Skill! Once on the ground we were met by the Ground crew of Ben and Keith who were left to load the basket and balloon onto a trailer whilst Pete turned into the taxi driver taking us back to the launch site. Great experience. Well worth it. Give it a go!

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Philip Oliver 14 November 2024, 21:01

A magical Fantastic experience. With a great crew and Peter Philpott as our Pilot. Deffinitely a must for everyone to expperience.

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Janet Best 13 November 2024, 23:26

From a very misty start we had the most amazing balloon flight. Our pilot Pete Philpot and his team did an outstanding job making sure we had the very best experience. Although quite cloudy initially the sun was shining brightly above the clouds which gradually evaporated to show the beautiful scenery below us. The balloon landing was an experience we will not forget, but saying that it was exciting; even landing on our backs facing the sky.

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julian upton 12 November 2024, 15:26

Great experience and lovely customer service. Lynn made the extension process quick and easy.

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Kayleigh 12 November 2024, 00:02

My issue was resolved very quickly and efficiently! So friendly

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Malcolm Brooke 11 November 2024, 23:13

The frequent cancellations made for a lengthy wait....just over 4 years! However, the experience was fantastic and, as a glider pilot, I was very interested in how you fly a balloon. I was fascinated that when descending, the pilot stopped the 'burn' while we were still sinking. However, there was a time delay before the balloon maintained its height. It would be so easy to 'over burn' and end up soaring upwards. I would have been yo-yoing all over the sky until I ran out of gas! This delay made me appreciate the landing which appeared so straightforward. To make the balloon follow a gentle constant glide slope into the landing field called for great expertise in getting the 'burn times' just the right length. I was incredibly impressed and wanted to say so in a review.....I should have said this on the day but my natural reserve kept me silent!!