Its all a lot of hot air -- the British Airways balloon prepares for flight British Airways joined in St Petersburg's birthday celebrations late last month by flying its balloon over the city. Since flying in a balloon is one of my lifetime ambitions, I couldn't resist the invitation to fly over the rooftops of St Petersburg and get a bird's eye view. The balloon was one of 10 which appeared on Palace Square a week last Saturday but it was the only balloon which actually got off the ground! Unfortunately that day the winds were a little too brisk to risk a flight over the city, so firmly anchored to terra firma, I floated or rather careered above the crowds gathered on the square.
Somehow I always imagined a balloon flight to be a tranquil and quiet experience. It was actually quite noisy with the roar of the gas firer keeping it afloat. The wind battered the balloon this way and that and it was as much as I could do to keep myself and my lunch down. Finally, after nearly being flung out of the basket with the cameraman I came back to earth with a thud.
British Airways St Petersburg Manager Philip Saunders said, "This is not only good for us it is also good for community relations.
"The following day we had the balloon tethered by the Aurora cruiser for the Hash House Harriers and took over 300 children up for a ride in the balloon."
And there were more successful flights launched from the grounds of the Catherine Palace and outside St Isaac's Cathedral.
The promotional balloon is flown by a qualified staff including British Airways Boeing 757 pilot Ian Mitchell. So far this Bristol-made balloon has flown in 39 countries.
Its last port of call was in Zimbabwe and this is its second visit to St Petersburg in 18 months.