Virgin Group Hot Air Balloon
The Adventure of Flight
"Records are made to be broken. It is in man's nature to continue to strive to do just that."
- Sir Richard Branson, CEO and founder of Virgin Group
Virgin Group founder, Richard Branson, with Per Lindstrand, set the record for the first hot air balloon to cross the Atlantic in 1987. In 1991, they flew the first balloon across the Pacific.
Virgin Atlantic Promotional Balloon
Visitors to the Delta Flight Museum can see a Virgin Atlantic promotional hot air balloon donated by Virgin Atlantic.
Because of its size, the balloon or envelope portion is compressed into a plastic box with exhibit label: "This balloon takes up 20 CUBIC FEET. Inflated when in flight, it measures 77,000 CUBIC FEET. The only addition is something invisible: HOT AIR."
The wicker basket or gondola is on display, and visitors can step inside for photos. A mural behind the gondola represents the envelope when fully inflated. For those who can spot it, the mural also contains an image of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson.
Virgin Atlantic and Delta’s joint-venture partnership offers world-class travel convenience. In addition to daily flights between New York and London-Heathrow, the world’s most important business travel market, the partners also offer nonstop service between London and a host of other cities throughout the U.S.
More Information
Virgin Balloon Flights Blog: Learn about the evolution of the hot air balloon.
YouTube: Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand talk with Guinness World Records about setting record for the first hot air balloon across the Pacific Ocean in 1991.
YouTube: Explore the Virgin Atlantic and Delta transatlantic partnership