Kentballooning Reviews 30

Husband booked with Kent Ballooning in 2024 for a birthday treat for our daughter who was turning ten that year. He hasn’t been able to get hold of them by phone or email. Money taken, booking expired as a result of not getting hold of anyone. Scammers. Beware.

The company was taken over by Chris, after speaking with him he gave me the confidence that myself & 2 daughters would eventually get our balloon ride, we had over 10 cancellations, arrived one morning to fly but again told it was not going to happen due to weather which we understood as has to be safe.
He also said after taking over the company he had a back log of over 1000 people to fly. We were very understanding.
Believing our gift voucher (approx £600+as I extended for weekends) was valid until we had our balloon ride.
I had not contacted Chris,( didn’t believe it to be a problem with his back log!)neither had the company contacted me, for some time due to personal reasons as life doesn’t always go to plan.
When I contacted Chris I was told our voucher had expired & if I paid more money to extend firstly £100 each then said £50 each, this was only for a short time & months not good either with weather!
We had also asked for a refund & told we could not have one from company before & also from Chris.
This had gone on for years & wanted our money back!
Chris then did not respond to messages or phone calls!
To me this is a huge amount of money to lose & do not want anyone to have to have the experience myself & daughters have had.
What should have been a unique wonderful gift has been a disaster and I do not recommend this company.
Sally

This review is based on my experience of contact with the company after I discovered it had been taken over by new owners.
I was bought a balloon flight for my birthday but due to a variety of life events, was not able to make a booking.
When I contacted the company to discuss purchasing a further extension to my voucher, I discovered it had been taken over and the new owners were in the process of trying to unravel what they were discovering to be something of a wasp’s nest of issues. I only have their word for this, but they could not have been more understanding of my circumstances especially as the unused gift that I had received would have cost my family a significant amount. Chris, with whom I spoke, was therefore keen to try to help me get airborne.
Unfortunately since my conversation with them, sad circumstances have meant I have not yet been able to book a flight as hoped and I will need to lean on their understanding again. I am hoping I will find them as accommodating as they were before.

I would strongly caution anyone considering Kent Ballooning. I cannot express how deeply disappointing my experience with Kent Ballooning has been.

I purchased tickets over four years ago and, despite repeated attempts to use them, the flight has never taken place. The company has rescheduled on very short notice, sometimes to dates that I clearly explained I could not attend. On one occasion, we even travelled a long way to Kent, only to be told the flight was cancelled when we arrived. That day in particular left us disheartened and exhausted. After so many years, the experience I paid for has simply not been delivered.

When I asked for a refund, I was met with poor communication and an aggressive response. Rather than resolving the matter professionally, the company repeatedly accused me of wrongdoing and even suggested I had committed a crime simply for asking for my money back and saying I would escalate through my bank or regulators. This has left me feeling extremely uncomfortable as a customer.

In particular, the company manager Chris was extremely rude and aggressive in his phone calls and messages - ringing me at 8pm in the evening after I said I will be escalating this further. I have never dealt with such an aggressive and scary response from a company - it left me feeling extremely anxious.

This was supposed to be something joyful and unforgettable, but it has been the opposite: stressful, draining, and disheartening. Reading other customers’ reviews, it’s clear I’m not alone in feeling this way.

What should have been a magical memory has been turned into one of the most disappointing consumer experiences of my life. I would not want anyone else to go through what I have gone through with Kent Ballooning.

AVOID! A family member of mine has had a horrible experience with this company. Despite paying a huge amount of money, 5 years later they still didnt get the air balloon experience. Instead just a long series of cancellations, miscommunications and intimidation by the owner - Chris. When they decided they'd had enough and began asking for a refund he starting threatening and intimidating them and it would seem that they dont have a refund policy which is bizarre. I would advise avoiding them at all costs - very unproffesional, will take your money and give you a nightmare.

Brought tickets in June 2020, suppose to be a birthday for a friend. However after several cancellations. Couple times turning up to the place of takeoff in the morning and just to find out it's cancelled. After driving and wasting time.
The management is rude.
The guys mindset and attitute is in the sky, he doesn't need an air balloon 🎈

The business has changed ownership and is now in great hands. Weather is always variable and patience with postponements is needed. We were contacted by Helen who booked our group of 7 onto our sunset flight in July. The organisation and supervision were excellent.The weather was perfect and everyone was thrilled with the flight.

A fabulous experience highly recommended.

I brought a balloon flight for my wife's birthday last year. Due to weather and various appointments the flight could not take place last year but this year I have to say the company pulled out all the stops to get my wife airborne.
It was a sunset trip setting off from Lenham.
Although apprehensive my wife thoroughly enjoyed it and has told everyone about it.
These trips are very weather dependent, technical problems due arise. People should
appreciate this and have a little patience.
This company, I believe, will make every effort to complete your flight.

After a little wait, Helen helped us book and plan our flight
From the minute we arrived was made to feel comfortable and safe

Flight was beautiful and an amazing experience

Thank you for having us, we loved it

Great experience worth waiting for. Small local business trying to get back off the ground after a change of ownership (no pun intended). Crew were great and provided an enjoyable trip.

What a fantastic experience , flights cancelled several times due to poor conditions has to be expected when we did get airbourne well what can I say was such an amazing experience , such friendly staff . A big thank you to kent ballooning for a fantastic morning . Would definitely do again

My partner booked a private hot air balloon for a sunset proposal in May 2021. It was cancelled several times due to ‘weather’. My partner took self employed ‘unpaid’ days off and we also coordinated childcare arrangements for our then 1 year old. It was cancelled so many times that in the end he had to book and plan a completely different proposal incurring additional expense. We rebooked to go on the balloon after our proposal as naturally didn’t want to completely lose out on the £1k spent and the experience it was cancelled again. I fell pregnant and you cannot fly when pregnant. Rebooked for 2022 when our second baby was booked. Again, that was also cancelled. I provided the maternity documents as proof as unfit to fly as per their procedures. I then fell pregnant with our third last year and again haven’t been able to fly. We’ve since been engaged 3 years never once able to enjoy the experience my partner paid for. We’re looking into a small claims court procedure now unless we hear back, as they’ve taken a payment for a service they never provided. Michael Bilton.

Just to add to a previous review, I have now received my money back via a dispute on my credit card. I would advise other people that have been ripped off by this companys lack of communication and service to do the same.

Awful company... they do not respond to emails. We've had our trip cancelled over a dozen times in almost two years (so you can see we've been patient).
Multiple requests for a refund have been ignored and I'm now taking it up with my credit card company and also reporting this company. Do not give them your money.

DO NOT USE KENT BALLOONING. They have not responded to my emails, voicemails or WhatsApp’s. I have only managed to to get hold of the owner (Chris Timson) twice this season and he promised to call back with an explanation but never did. Many of my requested flights to reschedule have been ignored.
Have asked for a refund due to lack of service but refused. I’m now seeking legal action against Kent Ballooning.

This Company was amazing, responsive and kindly extended our voucher several times due to bad weather conditions, pregnancy and other life challenges. Never had any issue with the communication until this year. No communication what so ever and we are now good £400 short. This was meant to be a lovely gift and one of a time experience. I would invite anyone who has the same issue to take a group legal actions with us please as this is absolutely unacceptable. Furthermore I’d like to warn anyone who is still considering to purchase a flight with this company. It has become a scam and you won’t see your money ever again!

Never got to go... Been emailing and calling, offered call backs they never happen and they say I'm booked in and then I'm not. Poor.

Booked a flight for my 50th birthday but due to weather conditions had to keep rescheduling. The company was amazing and responded quickly to the fact that we would try and different date. However, this was two years and this season the company cancelled a scheduled flight on July 12th 2024 and since we have been completely ignored. No response to emails or telephone calls. I also did not know that the company had changed hands until I read these reviews. I would avoid booking with this current owners. This is expensive and a once in a lifetime experience for me but to be completed ignored is unacceptable for any company. I doubt that we will see our money back or experience the balloon flight at this rate.

Fabulous trip over the Kent countryside. The pilot was very knowledgeable and supported by an excellent ground crew. We had waited a long time for this due to adverse weather but it was well worth the wait. We are now experts on wind gusts!

This was an absolutely brilliant experience for us. The crew were really friendly and professional. They went the extra mile to make sure we got our flight. Communications and the pre-flight information were excellent and the location at Headcorn was excellent. The pilot was very experienced and gave us a very smooth ride.
I totally recommend this company. I would go with them again anytime.