GROUP FLIGHTS
These vouchers are for individuals, couples or groups. They can be used from any of our launch sites on any day of the week, including the weekends. You can book for a specific date or leave it open for the passengers to choose a convenient date later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our balloon flies with a max of 8 passengers, (many others fly with 16-20!). We put individuals, couples or groups together in fly in your chosen area. Alternatively you can book your own private balloon for 2, 3 or 4 passengers.
We fly in 3 different areas as shown on our Launch site page. As with all balloon flights, we fly with the wind so in certain wind directions we run out of room or end up in difficult landing situations. To avoid this we will choose a launch site within your chosen area to give you the best and safest balloon flight. However, we do select a preferred launch site for each flight and then only move if we have to.
We fly all year round scheduling flights on every flyable day. Through the main summer months we schedule evening flights through the week and then morning and evening flights at the w/e. The winter flying, although spectacular, tends to be a little more restricted due to the unsettled winter weather. If you have booked your own private balloon flight these can be taken at any time including midweek mornings.
You may be lucky enough to do so but there are no guarantees. Balloons only fly with the wind so we have to go where we are taken. However, you can choose which area you want to fly in so you will be over familiar countryside.
We plan to fly for about an hour, depending on suitable landing sites, but to do this we need about 3-3hrs30mins of your time from the time we meet until we return back to the launch site. We think it’s much more fun and interesting if you turn up when we do and get involved with the rigging and inflation. Then at the other end after landing we all muck in and help with the packing up before we tuck in to some suitable liquid refreshment to toast our adventure!
Balloons fly in the more stable conditions found at either end of the day when the sun is not stirring it all up. We therefore meet just after sunrise (can be pretty early mid summer!)or a few hours before sunset. The timings changing as the length of the day changes.
We don’t have long waiting lists or use electronic booking systems. We also only fly in this area (rather than the big national companies) so we are here to fly when the weather is good!
It is normally warmer in the balloon than it is on the ground because the balloon flies with the wind, so there is no breeze at all while we fly. You should wear normal outdoor clothing and good solid footware as if you were out for a country walk.
There is no legal limit but we recommend children should be at least 6/7yrs old and at least 4′ tall to see over the basket. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. At the other end of the scale there is no limit so long as you are reasonably fit and agile enough to get in and out of the basket. We have flown 2 sisters who were 91 and 95!!
What our customers say
Going on a hot air balloon was an amazing and special experience thanks to First Flight – Nick and Steve were so friendly and insightful from booking to bubbles after.… read more Would highly recommend to anyone who want a tailored experience for themselves.
7/24/2023
Great! – Our hot air balloon ride was so enjoyable! The boys are super friendly and very informative on everything which is really interesting. I’ve always wanted to go on a hot… read more air balloon and it did not disappoint. I couldn’t recommend them enough if you want a great experience from start to finish. Thank you for a great day.
6/18/2023
Perfect – My niece arranged a balloon trip with First Flight for a personal family occasion on the 21st May 2023. Nick and the team was really friendly and accommodating to our… read more requirements. We had an early start travelling from the West Midlands to meet at the start point at New Manor Farm shop but wouldn’t have changed it, the flight over The Mendip Hills was so sedate and picturesque it was perfect. Thank you so much!!!!
5/27/2023