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
Company replied
While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more
To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more
Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
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
Company replied
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
Company replied
14 cancelled flights and a 02:30 get up due to the hot weather did not spoil the tremendous experience of taking the Virgin Ballon flight. The whole experience from beginning to end was amazing. Speci... See more
Company replied
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
Asks customers to review
This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative
Replied to 98% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
We had a fabulous experience with Tom
We had a fabulous experience with Tom. It was well organised and despite cancellation due to weather well worth the wait. Tom is clearly experienced, he shared lots of fascinating facts and made it a really special experience.
13 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Thank you so much for the lovely review! We're glad your experience was everything you hoped for and that Tom added to this with his knowledge of the local area! It really does make a huge difference! :)
Thank you for flying with us and for your patience through the cancellations!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Tom was a great pilot
Tom was a great pilot and very knowledgeable. The flight was fantastic and well worth the wait to book on.
13 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Bill,
Thank you so much and we're really pleased to read that it was well worth the wait for you! We couldn't agree more! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Colin,
This is simply amazing to read! Thank you so much! You're welcome back anytime :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Guys running the balloon were friendly…
Guys running the balloon were friendly and knowledgeable and relaxed. Weather was perfect. Such a calm and serene experience.
9 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Ashley,
Sounds like you had a magical experience! That's exactly how a balloon flight should be! :)
Thank you for flying with us!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
The whole experience
The whole experience. From helping at both start and finishing to the actual flight. The Virgin Team were very proactive and friendly. Our pilot Peter contributed immensely.
12 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hey Charlie - that's fab! Glad you had a fantastic flight with us! :)
Peter really is a fantastic pilot and we're glad his personability and charisma added to the experience!
Thanks again for flying with us!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Great experience
We were switched to a back-up site the night before the flight. However upon arrival we were transported by Landrover to a different actual take-off site about 15-20 minutes away (no previous mention this would happen). However despite this, we really enjoyed the hour long flight, so peaceful and we could help with getting the balloon ready for take-off and packing away afterwards.
The pilot was Chris and he was absolutely brilliant, informative with lovely touch of humour throughout the flight. Glass of bubbly at the end was a nice touch.
12 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Richard.
Thank you so much for the lovely review! 🎈
It sounds like your adventure started before you’d even left the ground, with a little Land Rover expedition thrown in for good measure! Surely that deserves an extra star? ;) ha ha just kidding!
We’re delighted to hear the flight itself more than made up for it, especially the glass of bubbly at the end.....not a bad day out eh! 🥂
We’ll make sure your kind words are passed on to Chris too. It will make his day!
Thanks again for flying with us and for sharing your experience🎈
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
The the whole experience was amazing x…
The the whole experience was amazing x would recommend to all my friends.
22 July 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hey Wendy!
Thank you so much for leaving us this kind review! And thank you for the recommendation! Big kiss back at ya! ;)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Thank you so much for the positive review! We're glad you enjoyed flight!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Has an amazing time made extra special…
Has an amazing time made extra special by the team, Chris, Rachel and Mike.
An exceptional experience
12 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Marion,
This is lovely to read! We're glad you had such an incredible flight with us and that the whole crew made it even more special! They really are a great bunch!
Thanks for flying with us!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Amazing balloon flight with Nobby in South Wales
What an amazing experience. Flew with Nobby from Llanarth last night. Every step of the trip was amazing. Nobby as well as the ground team of Glyn and Joe were so welcoming and friendly. We all felt really involved from helping to get the balloon inflated, through the flight, and to packing everything down at the end.
Nobby was really knowledgeable and shared really interesting facts about the experience as well as the history and origins of ballooning in France. His sense of humour and ability to put everybody at ease was also phenomenal.
Thank you so much all.
11 August 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Thank you so much for your lovely review!
It sounds like Nobby, Glyn and Joe had you working for your flight- we promise that wasn’t just free labour! 😂
We’re so pleased you enjoyed the whole experience and that Nobby kept you entertained with his incredible knowledge and legendary sense of humour.
A huge thank you for the fantastic review, and we’ll make sure your lovely comments are passed on to the Llanarth crew. Here’s hoping we see you back in a basket again someday! 🎈
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Amazing experience
Amazing experience, Chris was great fun and he and his team did an excellent job from start to finish - highly recommend taking this flight.
10 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Matt,
Thank you so much for the lovely review. Chris really is hilarious and a real character isn't which certainly adds to the experience! :)
Thank you for the recommendation, we really appreciate it and you're welcome back anytime!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Thank you Lorna! We're so glad you enjoyed flying with us and had an amazing time!
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Balloon Swindle Uk
After FOUR YEARS IN WAITING of repeated cancellations by Virgin - even on perfectly nice sunny days with no wind, we finally moved the take off from York to Oxford, where my daughter was graduating. Virgin moved the flight to Henley on the day, which meant we couldn't go on it and lost our 4 tickets. Virgin claimed it was the weather, however the met office confirmed the balloon flight conditions were better on Oxford than Henley. When I pointed this out to them, The staff were thoroughly unhelpful and switched to the next excuse, lacking empathy, clearly trained to con people, dismissing all reasoning and logic. That's over £500.- lost - this does not end here! HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY GET YO FLY, from the millions clicking Daily to buy an experience that hardly ever materialises if at all?!
9 August 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
We’re sorry that, after such a long time trying to fly, your experience has ended with you feeling this strongly.
We do, however, want to clarify one important point. Balloon flights are not cancelled or moved unnecessarily. Decisions are made by experienced commercial balloon pilots using the conditions and forecasts relevant to balloon operations, including wind speeds and direction at different altitudes, not simply whether the weather appears calm or sunny at ground level.
On the day of a flight, wind direction can also determine which launch site can safely be used. This is why backup launch sites form part of our operation and why a flight may move even when conditions at the original location appear pleasant. Such information is naturally provided to you in writing each and every time you book, so we are sorry this appears to have come as a surprise.
We appreciate that this does not change your disappointment at being unable to attend the revised launch location, particularly after waiting so long to fly. We have already corresponded with you directly regarding your concerns and are sorry we have been unable to reach the resolution you were hoping for.
Thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Ahhh thanks Mag! And we love you for this fabulous review!
Thanks for flying with us - want to join us again? :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
This was a present for my partners 60th…
This was a present for my partners 60th birthday which he enjoyed .
All round good flight as the conditions were just right and the crew were great.
Thank you all for a wonderful and memorable journey.
11 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi,
Thank you so much for the positive review and we're glad you enjoyed your flight with us.
Thank you to you too for flying with us :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Great adventure
The event itself was excellent. The organisation was good and the pilot, both entertaining and informative. Its only a 4 star as you have to accept that the conditions have to be right for the flight to go ahead, and so expect( many) cancellations.
10 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Paul,
Ahhh we're so glad you had such a fab time flying with us and it's nice to read how the pilot's sense of humour and charisma added to the experience. It really makes it extra special doesn't it!
We're so sorry that we only earned 4 stars on this occasion and fully appreciate the honesty here. Like you say, the weather conditions to have to be spot on for a safe flight.
Fancy another one so that we can earn the extra star? :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Absolutely unforgettable
Absolutely unforgettable!
We celebrated my fiancée’s birthday with our first hot air balloon flight, but I had something much more special planned.
High above the ground, surrounded by the most incredible views, I asked her to marry me… and she said YES!
Our amazing pilot was incredibly kind, funny and professional, and helped me make the proposal even more special.
An unforgettable experience, an unforgettable birthday, and the moment she became my fiancée.
10 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Daniel!
Wow! Now THIS is how you do a balloon flight! 🎈💍❤️
A birthday, your first hot air balloon flight AND a proposal thousands of feet in the air… talk about setting the bar high! 😄
We’re absolutely thrilled she said YES! Huge congratulations to you both from everyone here at Virgin Balloon Flights. It’s wonderful to hear that your pilot was able to help make such a special moment even more memorable.
Thank you for choosing to share such a massive milestone with us. We hope every time you look up and see a balloon in the sky, it brings back some very happy memories.
Wishing the future Mr & Mrs Penchev a lifetime of happiness together, although we’re not sure you’ll ever top that proposal! 🎈💍🥂
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
The experience was amazing and the…
The experience was amazing and the pilot and team made it even more enjoyable.
8 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for flying with us - we're glad you enjoyed it and that the pilot and ground crew added to the experience! :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
A necessarily very early 5.30 meet up…
A necessarily very early 5.30 meet up due to the forecast, at a different location due to the wind.
A friendly professional welcome from the pilot, it was fun being involved in the inflation and launch preparation.
The support crew were very professional and we realised how lucky we were to be flying on our first booking attempt.
A lengthy very enjoyable flight as the sun rose higher in the sky.
An uneventful landing and subsequent recovery back to base.
Recommended.
11 August 2026
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Hi Chris,
Oh bless you, the early starts are not fun but it's oh so worth it! And wow to go up on the first booking is incredibly lucky! Here's a virtual high five!
We're so glad you enjoyed every minute of your experience...no mention of the complimentary post flight bubbles though? Or was it too early for that? ;)
Thank you again Chris and you're welcome back for another flight anytime!
The Virgin Balloon Flight Team
Fabulous loved it…
10 August 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Virgin Balloon Flights
Thank you Mark! You must have really loved it to leave us not just one but two positive reviews! Thank you again, we really appreciate it :)
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
The Trustpilot Experience
Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.
We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.
Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.
Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.
Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.
Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.