Where To Get Balloon Flights Or Others For Cheap

A question about : Where To Get Balloon Flights Or Others For Cheap

I want to get a memorable wedding present for my brother and his new wife. !I only have just 6 weeks to do so. !Hot air balloon ride is my ideal present for them and have been looking at:

https://www.virginballoonflights.co.uk
https://www.virgin-experience.co.uk
https://www.maximise.co.uk/default2.a...p;minisiteid=1

Do anyone know of any other sites/shops that offers similar activities for a good price? !The location of the activity area should be in london and not too far out. !I will be out of pockets after this present, but hey its a one-off wedding present (so they say )

ps: any discount codes for virgin or other places would be great.

Best answers:

• i think boots and argos sell activity days out too.
• You might find it cheaper to contact the operators direct (I would have thought it would be more expensive via Boots etc).
  The organisation for commercial ballooning is BABO and their index of commercial oprators is here
  https://babo.org.uk/commercial/index.html
  You should be able to find some in your area. If you ring then then also ask them how long their waiting list is as well as price (some can have a long waiting list).
  Hope that helps
  P.S I am a balloon pilot - but only private not commercial.
• think it also depends on the weather so dont think one can book a direct day?
• Thanks very much for the link lisyloo. I have found a special offer price of Ј85 per person on adventure balloons and will be making a booking shortly
• I presume you are aware that this is a weekday voucher i.e. you can fly on a weekend.
• hello i booked a flight for my dad 14 months ago we have tried booking about 10 times only to be called off due to weather conditions,our voucher was for 12 months and it said when 12 months were up we would have to pay extra money but they decided to extend the vouchers untill july this year so were still waiting for perfect flying conditions.
  ps we live in scotland so the chance of perfect weather is pretty slim. hope you have more luck than us
• and it said when 12 months were up we would have to pay extra money
  The vast majority of balloon companies will extend the vouchers providing you have made attempts to book the flight (which quite clearly you have).
  It is simply to avoid people who don't bother using them coming back years later as that would cause them some problems with numbers.
• like lisyloo said the balloon companies will extend the date of the voucher if weather condition did not permit flying after booking numerous attempts just like they did with you. !I live in london and the flight will take place in the southeast so conditions will be good down here in the summer. !I have never been on a balloon flight and would loved to go on one at some stage. !I am one of those peeps who like to do a parachute jump, microlight flying for the thrill and the sheer excitement & experience of the whole thing, although I have not done any so far.
• hello there you should have a much better chance of good weather so hopefully you wont have the problems we had,good luck
• hello there the company thereself have been ok but they never stressed just how perfect the weather had to be and here in scotland too(what was i thinking about) this was a gift for my dads 60th now he is heading for 62 still we will keep trying
• hi barneyboy,
  As well as having CAA regulations about certain aspects, the only reason that a balloon caompany will not fly is if it is not safe to do so.
  I can assure you that the pilots and companys want to fly as much as you do.
  I agree that it isn't clear to people just how perfect the weather needs to be.
  But you wouldn't want them to fly you if it wasn't safe would you.
  I used to own a small (3 person) balloon and that had 6 tons of momentum.
  It's pretty difficult to stop over about 12 knots of wind.
  The big balloons are obviously harder.
  There are also regulations about cloud cover etc. as aircraft need to be able to see each other for obvious reasons.
  I can assure you that they will not stand down a flight unless absolutely necessary.
  The businesses and pilots are desperate to do as much flying as possible.
• I got the Ј85 a flight from adventure balloons, and went up on out first attempt- fantastic expereince ... so thanks everyone for the tip.
  Beelywoker.
• I want to buy a voucher for a hot air balloon ride as a gift for my parents. Does anyone have any recommendations for organisations that are fairly flexible in allowing bookings? Or any really good value for money deals?
  Thanks!
• Here is a link to the "British Assocication of Balloon operators" which should point you to operators in your area.
  https://www.babo.org.uk/commercial/index.html
  which are are you looking at?
  I might be able to help you with personal recommendations if it's west country.
• Thanks Lisyloo. What I meant was that it needs to be easy for my parents to rebook if the flight is cancelled because of the weather - I had heard stories about people only being offered a single date/time for rebooking and as both parents work, this wouldn't really suit. They live in Berkshire, so I would expect Reading or Basingstoke would be the most suitable starting points.
  Thanks