BalloonMan

1. Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?
2. Absolutely, it’s an unforgettable experience!

After a friendly intro with Pilot Chris Shorten at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt, I was soon standing predawn with about 11 strangers in a large northern park.  What impressed me Chris & his colleague Chris (no 2) soon had everyone helping out to get us airborne. From the start their calm methodical manner had us all at ease. As a local I was chipping in with international visitors to share the experience.
The instructions were clear and understandable and although there were other balloonists nearby about to get airborne, I could tell we had made the right choice.  This became evident when we took off as Chris showed us his special technique for taking amazing photos and videos as we rose towards the rising sun. It was a really beautiful morning and although I have lived in Melbourne for most of my life this flight made me appreciate even more what a beautiful city it is.

What a way to view a sunrise! There was not a lot of idle chatter between the passengers as the experience was so awesome that even Chris only intervened when necessary. It’s also very reassuring when you’re in capable hands. When we began our descent to another park on the south side of the city, I was wishing it could have gone on a bit longer. However we were all soon whisked back to the Grand Hyatt in town for a delightful champagne breakfast with all the trimmings.

I’m pleased I have my complimentary photos and videos as they are quite unique that even my grandkids are impresed. (told them I’m a legend!)

Hi Chris

Thanks very much for my first ride on Hot Air Balloon this morning with my beloved wife and dear brothers.
It is a smooth, great and enjoyable ride supplement with a sumptuous breakfast at the Grand Hyatt.
I am fear of height.
.
This morning I didn’t feel that.
Looks like BalloonMan has provided an effective therapy!

Thanks very much again.

Kind regards,

Hi Jenny,

Jasmine and I can not thank you and the team enough for the amazing experience we had on Sunday. We were absolutely blown away and really enjoyed our flight. The view is beautiful from up there and it definitely exceeded all our expectations.

The whole experience (including service) was amazing, and the photos and breakfast were just the icing on the cake.

Thank you for having us, we wish you and the team the best for the future.

Best regards,

Colin

Hi Jenny,

Everthing was like you said: everything I hoped for and much more.
I will recommend this flight to my family and all my friends and co-workers.
It is a must for everyone who comes to Melbourne.

Thank you and all the team for everthing I will not change a single thing. It was perfect from beginning to end.

Kind regards.
Mercedes

Experiencing a brilliant sunrise 2000 feet above Bendigo.

It is so hard to find something that a classical music, garden-loving grandmother can do with a 12 year old grandson rather more attuned to contemporary music, cars and sport!   The hot air balloon ride was perfect as something we could both enjoy!

The whole experience with BalloonMan was great:  the professionalism of the whole operation was beyond question and we felt safe and looked after all the time – even Opa who stayed on the ground! We feel as if we had great value for money and would heartily recommend the experience to anyone looking for a slightly different, eye opening experience.  Especially for self confident young people who think they have been everywhere already and done everything!

Hi Jenny

Thank you for an unforgettable experience. Please pass on our thanks to Chris & Chris for an outstanding morning.

Kind Regards
Ian & Angela Strachan

Hi Jenny

Thank you very much for helping to organise this, we had an absolute blast, loved every second of it and had a lovely sunny morning for it too! A big thanks to Chris and Richard too for making everything run so smoothly on the day. We will look to leave a review over the next couple of days, couldn’t recommend you guys highly enough!

Many thanks,

Hi Jenny

Wow! I knew that it would be an experience of a lifetime!

May I give all praise to Chris for his professionalism, expertise, attention to detail and his humour!! He is very passionate about his job and made us feel very safe and comfortable from the very beginning.

It was great to also feel part of the team from the start to the end, and then the breakfast at the Grand Hyatt was the icing on the cake. We were made to feel very special for the whole balloon experience and our debriefing at breakfast.

What can you do to improve? I can’t think of anything, it was perfect!!

Thankyou Jenny for the few chats that we’ve had discussing bookings and thanks to Richard too for also driving us safely  from A back to A.

Keep up the good work, and I am spreading the word!!

Kind regards

Rose.

Hi Chris, Richard and Jenny,

Brendan and I loved our balloon flight, have been talking about it ever since. The whole experience was wonderful, and as you know Jenny, I had been waiting a long time to do it! Being involved with getting the balloon out and packing away added to the experience, and of course, the delicious breakfast and chat afterwards.

Somehow, it was all simpler than I thought it would be. Wonderful to be up there in the peace and quiet, and to have Chris’s commentary. I felt completely safe all the time.

Your balloon package is very professional, and I thank you all. Of course, I will recommend you to others. And I hope it isn’t too long before I am up in the air again! Thanks for the photos, a great addition, and I look forward to the video.

Thank you all! Brilliant!

A great birthday present.

I was a bit apprehensive at first about flying under a great big balloon filled with hot air. It didn’t take long however for pilot Chris and the crew to put me at ease. Everyone concerned acted very professionally and it was a truly pleasurable and exciting experience. The weather was perfect and the sightseeing of the Melbourne CBD skyline, the sunrise and the views of the SE suburbs were superb. Balloon flight is something everyone should experience at least once if they get the chance. I highly recommend BFOM if you intend to do so. The morning was topped off with a delicious breakfast at the Hyatt. Great way to spend a few hours.

Overall rating was – Excellent.

Cheers

Dear Jenny, Chris and Curtis,

I am sorry for such a late message but I have just got round to it. I’d love to say BIG THANK YOU to all of you for such an incredible experience as a balloon flight over Melbourne. We enjoyed every moment of it. Everything was organised so well. I must say Chris is an excellent pilot as well as host and made us feel very safe and comfortable throughout the whole time on the balloon. We were so lucky to have a great couple with us to share the champagne breakfast at Grand Hyatt Melbourne after the flight. We had a really good time and had a nice chat with Chris and Curtis. Everything was just perfect!! Thank you once again! I will definitely recommend you to all my friends!

Hi Guys,

We would just like to say thanks again to Chris and his team for a fantastic experience. Chris is a great host and getting to fly with him in his new balloon was absolutely a breathtaking and memorable occasion for my wife and I. We highly recommend your business to everyone and wish you all the best in the future.

Hello Chris

I would like to thank you for a wonderful experience on 26 Sept 2014.

Our flight went off without a hitch and we really appreciated the fantastic photos you took of us all and the time-lapse video is a great reminder of our flight.

My husband and I have been on 3 balloon flights now – 2 in Perth and 1 over Melbourne and we have really loved every one of them. They have all been different as far as the scenery goes.

It is a fabulous experience. I think you must have the best job in the world. I keep telling people they should try it.

Thankyou for a wonderful time. This is an hour of my life I would like to relive over and over.

Kind Regards

Hi Chris, Richard and Jenny.

At the airport reflecting on a great week in Melbourne, the actual and metaphorical high point of which was the balloon ride. Thanks for the fantastic video; a great memento of a fantastic morning.

Delighted to endorse you on TripAdvisor and recommend you to anyone I know who is visiting your wonderful city.

All the best.

David

Jenny
We recently went on the Anzac day balloon flight over CBD, we would like to say thanks for how smoothly the entire booking and flight process went.
Booking, Pilot,crew & breakfast really good.

Thank you Balloonman team. Jenny, Chris and Richard. My flight was a fantastic experience and one I will never forget. Relaxing and such wonderful views. Regards Jennifer Prior, Pyramid Hill

Hi Jenny

We had a great experience in the custody of the Chris’s, and will recommend you highly to everyone.

Thanks a Million!

Best Frank

Hi Chris,

Thank you so much for making our 20th Wedding Anniversary a memorable experience that we will never forget. The whole package from the minute I made the booking until we left the Grand Hyatt after a magnificent Breakfast was extremely professionally organised. Chris was a terrific host as well as Pilot and his experience showed through with all the wonderful sites he pointed out along the way. I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone and hope to one day take another flight. Thank you once again.

Great flight to-day Chris, thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you to yourself & Joe, will definitely do it again. Can you please make it more exciting next time, like landing in the MCG? Just kidding. We loved it.

Hi Chris,

A quick note to say a big thank you for making our Mums 70th Birthday such a memorable one. Our flight over Melbourne was fantastic such a wonderful experience, not to mention the champagne breakfast what a way to finish off the morning!

We would recommend your flights to anyone.

My husband surprised me with a balloon flight on the morning of my 30th birthday. From the moment we walked through the doors of the Grand Hyatt, everything was spectacular and memorable. Chris was an excellent host and pilot and we felt very safe and comfortable the entire time. Ballooning over Melbourne was everything I had hoped it would be and more… And the champagne breakfast at the end – heavenly! Thank you Balloon Man for making the beginning of this decade, the best one yet!

To The Balloon Man!

Thanks Chris, for a fabulous flight today!

For us, it was “third time lucky”. Our first attempt on 17th January, saw us rise very early and make it all the way to the launch site, only to have the weather and winds turn out to be less than optimal, and you made the decision not to risk it. We were happy to go with your expert judgement, and your intention to keep your passengers safe, above all other considerations.

The next date that we booked in March, was a no-go from the start…too drizzly, too foggy…and probably not enough wind….we re-booked, again.

And today, everything was perfect! A wonderful , clear autumn morning and most favourable breezes. We had a brilliant launch, a magical long flight, and a surprisingly soft landing!

We loved the peacefulness of the flight, the stunning sunrise, the fabulous views of Melbourne and the bay, the great camaraderie…not to mention the delicious 5* celebratory champagne breakfast…

Thanks Chris, for your piloting skill, expertise and care…and for making such a memorable experience for us all.

Best Regards

Hi Chris,

Thank you for such a fantastic flight on Sunday the 21st of September! We were both absolutely thrilled that we chose to fly with BalloonMan – the entire experience was amazing from start to finish. It was clear that you are an experienced pilot by the knowledge you shared and the way you piloted the balloon; we felt completely safe throughout the flight and it is an experience we will never forget.

We will certainly be recommending BalloonMan to all of our family and friends, and hope to fly with you again soon.

Thanks again

p.s. sorry that I (Caitlin) kept putting my hand out in front of the camera!

Dear Balloonman,

Thank you to give us a pleasant flight and wonderful time in melbourne. The view from the sky….the sunrise and the city view are just amazing!!. We really have a great time at there and just perfectly with a nice champagne and breakfast with group. Balloonman also very welcoming, informative and a good leader pilot. He teach us how to prepare the flight. Thanks a lot to Balloonman and crew to give us a great time in Melbourne.

Best regards

We had a fantastic day all round!!!! Chris & Chris were fantastic… flight was simply amazing & breakfast a lovely way to finish the morning… can’t tell you how much we’ve been raving about it!!

Keep it up & will fly with you again one day!!

Cheers

Fantastic flight over the city with Chris. The sunlight shining off the CBD buildings was spectacular. It was a great way to start the day. Chris and his ground crew Curtis are a lot of fun, while still running a very well organised and safe operation.

I loved seeing the sunrise – it was a beautiful morning and I thought the landing was great when the basket dragged along the ground.

Hi Chris,

The balloon ride was incredible. All of the minor details were taken care of and the whole experience was seamless. Thanks for all of the little extras that tie it all together to make it truly special for first time balloonatics. Thanks for the flight and we wish you and the company all the best in the future.

Cheers

Hi Jenny,

I am writing to say a sincere thanks to you, Curtis and our pilot Chris for last Friday’s flight over Melbourne. Sandra (my wife) and I had an absolute hoot of a time-ticking off another item on our bucket list, that unfortunately has been fast tracked for us. Sandra has recently been diagnosed with motor neurone, and in a few months wouldn’t have been able to climb into the balloon basket-and when we lived in Melbourne (till April 2014) – it was always something we were going to do. Chris and Curtis made her (and my day), and certainly the pictures we captured, and the video have certainly made our friends and relatives sit up and add it to their list of things to do.

Many thanks

Hi jenny, 

Can you please thank Richard and Chris for giving Emily and I a great morning out together. 

Could not recommend anything that would have to be changed, great experience.

Will definitely be recommending the BalloonMan to many of our family and friends.

thanks again

Lindsay