Written by Zaidi Azmi

KUALA LUMPUR – February 11, 2016: It is only after almost 300 hundred years since Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Francois Laurent d’Arlandes manned the first hot air balloon flight in 1723 that we Malaysians can finally enjoy it on a daily basis.

Belated we may have been but as the saying goes, it is better late than never.

Launched by the country’s first commercial hot air balloon company, MyBalloon Adventure, starting up your morning while gliding above Putrajaya is no longer a mere wishful thinking.

Weather permits, the balloon will be fully inflated latest by 6a.m and passengers will be nested in a large wicker baskets, claimed to better than any first-class cabin seats.

“Don’t worry,” said Captain Filip Audenaert, “The weather is beautiful, calm and you are in safe hands,” as he reassured passengers who rode the hot air balloon during the company’s launching yesterday.

The pilots will constantly radio air traffic controllers from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) before every single takes off to ensure that the department is aware of their presence in the sky.

“Hot air balloon number 1 – Oscar, Oscar, Bravo, November, Whisky – are ready to take off from Putrajaya on a forty-five minute to one hour flight,” radioed Captain Filip.

So, for those whose coffees have grown stale and tired of the usual route taken during their morning jog, gliding on a hot air balloon as sunrise peered over the horizon might not seem like a bad idea to spice-up your morning.

MyBalloon Adventure is the only company in Malaysia to have received an ‘Air Operating Certificate’ (AOC) from DCA and it is the only active ballooning experience company in the country.

The company offers ballooning experience starting from RM850 per person including a 45 minutes to 1 hour flight, pre-flight refreshments, a delicious breakfast line-up post-flight and a completion certificate.

For those looking to pop up the question to a loved one up in the sky or raise a toast with colleagues in mid-air, MyBalloon Adventure can make it happen.

For more information visit www.myballoonadventure.com.