Hot Air Balloon ride which company

[Catherine]

We want to book for next september a hot air balloon ride as a surprise for our children and my parents, however with the cost around £100 each we ant to book it with a good reputable company. Has anyone any ideas and if so what. Any experiences would also be appreciated.

[pigsy]

Hi Catherine :overhere:

We flew with Orange Blossom Balloons back in 2002. They were excellent. Very professional and helpful. They picked us up from our hotel on I-drive very early (5.30ish!) in the morning, took us to the meeting place where we had a briefing and they decided which would be the best place to launch from (the weather wasn't too good). We all helped to inflate the balloon (even the small children were included) and then had a flight over the swamps. I had been hoping to see the parks etc. but the wind was in the wrong direction and it was a bit misty.

After the hour long flight we returned and all helped to deflate and pack away the balloon. We stopped for a champagne toast on the way back to the Days Inn where we had a buffet breakfast. Then there was the usual sales pitch (photos, t-shirts etc.) :yawn: and presentation of certificates. It was all over in time to be at the parks for a reasonable hour!

We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend OBB for their professionalism. Just a shame we can't guarantee the weather!! :wink:

Niki

[Thompson Aire]

I will be the first to admidt that for several years.. 2001-2005, no balloon company did it better than Orange Blossom Balloons. I know because I was their chief Pilot for those years and more. I am a stickler for perfection and wanted every person to walk away thinking WOW WOW WOW.. The owners of the company did not share that conviction and we parted ways. They lasted 8 months before they had to sell the company.

I now offer that same program and more under the name www.ThompsonAire.com (http://www.ThompsonAire.com) My name is Jeff and any of you who flew with OBB in the past will no doubt remember the RED TEAM captian.

Thanks

[OKWTink]

OH MY GOSH!!!! I DO!!! :bounce: THERE you are! LOL!

I've not gone up with you, but my relatives did and were sore disappointed that you were "gone."

WAIT til I tell them you've surfaced! :D :D (They are back in town for a visit THIS weekend)! But no time for a balloon ride this visit. :(

I'll be going with you one day. :yes:

[Isafari]

Ive sort of been put off trying for a balloon flight again after the pressure we felt we were under at the beginning of the year! It was something we really wanted to do....maybe I can be pursuaded:unsure:

May I just add.....it WAS NOT with Orange Blossom Balloons :)

[Thompson Aire]

I would love to be your choice if you wish to take a balloon flight. I have been flying balloons my whole life. I actually had my pilots license before I could drive. That has been 32 years now. Visit my site and have a look around. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

Jeff Thompson