CHAMPAGNE BALLOON FLIGHTS

There is a long standing tradition in ballooning that after the flight the passengers and crew have a reception and enjoy some Champagne. There is actually a reason behind this that dates back to the 1780s, when the first balloon flights were staged.

On one of the first successfully manned balloon flights, the pilots carried along a bottle of champagne to enjoy on the flight but instead of actually drinking it, they had to use it as an offer to goodwill to the farmers whose field their balloon had landed in. The champagne convinced the farmers that they were not in fact demons and acted as an apology for disturbing the land and animals grazing in the field.

The tradition still stands to this day, where the crew and passengers will toast champagne after the flight is over, obviously not whilst still riding in the air!!! The crew and passengers will meet back at the startup point and throughout the certificate presentation and picture viewing, will enjoy champagne.