Hot Air Balloon Flight Gift Voucher. What is it and how does it work?
The simple way to give a balloon flight to someone as a gift is to buy them a balloon flight gift voucher. This is an open voucher that is valid for 12 months. The voucher arrives in an attractive presentation card and envelope. Accompanying the voucher is a ballooning cap and information about ballooning and how to book a flight date. When the recipient wishes to book a date for their balloon flight they can either go online to view and book from our scheduled flight dates or phone the office and book there.
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Do I have to book the flight for a specific date?
The balloon flight Gift Voucher is ideal as a present for a special occasion. It is an open voucher and valid for 12 months. It arrives in an attractive presentation card and envelope, complete with colour brochure and ballooning cap. You can then give the voucher to the recipient and leave them free to choose a date to take their flight, or, if you already have a date in mind, you can book this date at the time you purchase the voucher. To check the availability of a flight date please see our ‘scheduled flight dates’ .
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How can I present a ballooning gift voucher in an extra special way?
Make the presentation of your gift voucher extra special with a ‘Balloon in a Box’. The gift voucher is attached to a helium filled foil balloon bearing your chosen message. It arrives in a robust gift box and will float out to the delight of the unsuspecting recipient.
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On which days and at what times are balloon flights scheduled?
We schedule our passenger balloon flights 7 days a week between late March and October. Unfortunately, during the winter, the weather is too windy and unsettled and the ground conditions too wet for getting balloons on and off fields. On a Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, flights are scheduled for mornings and evenings. During weekdays flights are scheduled for evenings and some mornings. On weekday mornings we schedule the Sunrise Exclusive balloon flight for small pre-booked groups and couples.
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The Anytime balloon flight gift voucher.
The Anytime gift voucher (price £145.00) can be used for weekends, weekdays, bank holidays, morning or evenings. We schedule flights everyday during the ballooning season of spring, summer and autumn.
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The Weekday balloon flight gift voucher.
The Weekday gift voucher (price £125.00) can be used for flights on weekday excluding bank holidays. We schedule flights everyday during the ballooning season of spring, summer and autumn.
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At what time does everyone meet up to fly?
All balloon flights will only fly either during the early morning or evening. This is due to the cooler stable air found at this time of day. See scheduled flight dates
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Morning flights
Typically, for morning flights, we meet on the launch field between 6am and 7am, although, at the beginning and end of the season, we meet later due to the later sunrise. Back to questions

Evening flights
For evening flights, the meeting time is typically 7pm during June and July; 6pm to 6:30pm during May and August and 5:30pm during April and September. These times are always governed by the time of sunset.....we don’t fly in the dark!
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How long in advance do I need to book a flight date?
We usually recommend a few weeks notice if you wish to book a specific date. It can be less if you are not restricted to weekends or Bank Holidays. Weekends can be quite busy especially Saturday and Sunday evenings. Please use our scheduled flight dates facility to check dates.
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What should I Wear?
No special clothing is required, just outdoor clothing suitable for the time of year. Long sleeves and trousers made from natural fibres are recommended, as are sensible shoes such as trainers or light boots. No high heels or skirts please! If you have a morning flight the grass is likely to be wet with dew, so please bear this in mind when choosing footwear. You will not feel any colder up in the balloon than you feel on the ground so there is no need for extra layers of clothing. On occasions, the radiant heat from the burners can feel quite hot on top of the head, so please bring a cotton cap for protection.
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Where do our balloons launch from?
Our flights launch from several sites in Essex. See launch sites. Full launch site directions, including maps, will be sent to you with the confirmation of your booking. You will need to make your own way to the launch site or meeting point.
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How long will the whole experience last?
You should plan to be away for at least three to four hours, occasionally longer. The experience starts with the preparation and inflation of the balloon and a safety briefing. The balloon flight itself usually lasts for approximately an hour or so. Once we have landed we serve Champagne and soft drinks. We present each passenger with a commemorative flight certificate and give everyone the opportunity to order an in-flight photo set. After we have finished we pack away the balloon before returning our passengers to the take-off site in our licensed minibus.
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How do passengers make their way back to the launch site after the flight?
Once we have completed all our post flight celebrations and packed away the balloon, all passengers are transported back to the launch site in our PSV licensed minibus.
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Is there anything available to commemorate the flight?
Mounted in-flight photographs (size 25cm x 20cm, 10"x8") are available to order after the flight. The set includes a photo of the balloon used on the day, plus a photo taken during the flight using our special camera system. Both pictures are mounted in an attractive double sided photo folder. Price £20.00
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Can I help with the preparation of the balloon for flight?
Our pilots frequently invite you to help prepare and also pack away the balloon and will give you instruction on how this is done. You are welcome to help or just watch.
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How do I get in and out of the basket?
All our baskets have foot holes to help you climb in and out, but, if you feel you may need a little more assistance, our crew members will be happy to help. Our balloon baskets are divided into compartments for your safety and comfort. There will usually be three or four passengers in each compartment.
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How far does the balloon travel and how high does it go?
Distance is dependent on the wind speed on the day of the flight. The average distance covered during a hot air balloon flight is 10 to 12 miles, but we can cover anything from 2 to 20 miles! Our altitude varies between tree top height and 2500 feet. It is controlled by the pilot who will vary the altitude throughout the flight to take in the features of the area.
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Can I fly over my house, village or town?
A hot air balloon will only go where the wind takes it and no two flights are ever the same, so we cannot guarantee a flight will travel over any particular house, village or town. We have several strategically placed take-off sites in Essex and the site chosen for the day will be chosen to make the most of whatever wind direction we have and to obtain the best possible flight for that day.
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What happens to friends and family who are not flying?
They are welcome to watch the inflation and launch of the balloon. We will inform everyone of the approximate time we expect to return the passengers by minibus to the take-off site. As a guide, we normally return approximately 2 and a half hours from the time the balloon took off.
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What happens if the weather is unsuitable for ballooning?
Ballooning requires very particular conditions for safe, legal and enjoyable flying and is completely weather dependent at any time of year. You will be provided with a flight information telephone number to call several hours before the flight is due to take place. This will give you information concerning your flight as well as the weather. Details of this will be sent to you in your flight conformation. If the weather is suitable for ballooning we will confirm the time and venue, but if the weather is too windy and unsettled we will postpone the flight in order to save passengers arriving at the take-off site unnecessarily. If the flight is postponed you will be asked to choose another flight date. This can be done online via our web site by clicking on ‘scheduled flight dates’ or you can call the office, during normal working hours.
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Can I cancel a flight if the sun isn't shining?
No. If the Pilot considers the weather conditions to be safe and suitable the flight will take place. Living in the British Isles, it is not possible to guarantee sunshine, but we will not fly in rain, poor visibility, unsuitably windy conditions, threat of thunderstorms and unstable air.
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Is there an age limit?
We have no upper age limit, but ballooning is an outdoor sport requiring a degree of agility. We recommend that people should be fit enough to climb in and out of the basket and to stand for about an hour. There may also be a short walk at the end of the flight to the edge of the field to meet our awaiting minibus that will return all passengers to the take-off site. We use partitioned baskets specially designed to ensure safety, comfort and a superb view. They are about 42 inches (1.1 metres) high, and have foot holes to assist entry. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult on the flight.
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Medical Conditions. Am I fit to fly?
We are not qualified to express an opinion as to whether you are fit to fly and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit to fly. You must not fly if you are suffering from osteoporosis (brittle bones) or any serious medical condition or have recently undergone surgery, unless you have a certificate of your fitness to fly from your doctor. You must not fly if you are pregnant or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
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Can I fly with a disability?
There are many differing levels of disability, so please talk to us first to find out. We are not currently able to provide flights for anyone who is confined to a wheelchair, simply because passenger balloon baskets aren't designed or certified to carry them.
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What if I'm not keen on heights!
Don't worry, balloons give a great feeling of security. A large passenger balloon basket will feel very stable under foot and does not swing or rock from side to side. Balloons fly with the breeze, making it feel as though you are floating in still air, giving a great feeling of peace and tranquillity. You are likely to feel more settled at 500 feet up in a balloon than at 50 feet on top of a tall building!
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