British woman undertakes historic 2,800-mile balloon crossing across Atlantic
A British woman has made history as the first Briton and only the second woman ever to complete a transatlantic crossing by gas balloon.
Alicia Hempleman-Adams successfully underwent the historic 2,800-mile balloon crossing from North America to Europe.
The Bath-based adventurer touched down in Bastendorf, Luxembourg, early on Sunday morning alongside fellow crew members Bert Padelt and Peter Cuneo.
Their balloon, the Atlantic Explorer, reached its destination at 5.58am UTC after departing from Presque Isle in Maine on Thursday.
The trio's expedition aimed to achieve the first crewed ocean crossing using hydrogen as the balloon's only lifting gas.
Speaking after landing, Ms Hempleman-Adams told the Reading Chronicle: "I’m incredibly proud that we completed the crossing and made it safely across to Luxembourg.”
She added: “There were times when we thought we might not make it.
"Flying through rain caused ice to build up on the balloon, which made conditions extremely difficult and added real jeopardy to the flight.
She continued: “It was an extraordinary team effort to keep going and bring the balloon safely across the Atlantic. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn so much from two world-class pilots."
The hydrogen-filled balloon lifted off at 6.08am UTC on Thursday, beginning a journey that would keep the crew airborne for approximately 70 hours.
Throughout the crossing, the team maintained an average flying height of 14,000 feet as they navigated their way across the ocean.
Wind speeds propelled the Atlantic Explorer at velocities reaching up to 60mph during the voyage.
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Piloting the craft required constant adjustments, with the crew altering their altitude repeatedly to maintain the correct flight path.
The open-basket design meant the three adventurers remained fully exposed to weather conditions for the entire duration of their transatlantic passage.
After passing Newfoundland, the crew faced a stark reality: should anything go wrong, their only option for landing would have been the ocean itself.
The challenging nature of the expedition required the pilots to continuously navigate by adjusting their height to catch favourable air currents and stay on course.
Travelling in an open basket throughout the 70-hour journey meant enduring whatever weather the Atlantic threw at them, with no shelter from wind, rain or cold.
Ms Hempleman-Adams was made an MBE for services to hot air ballooning in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2024.
She follows in the footsteps of her father, Sir David Hempleman-Adams, who previously completed the Atlantic journey solo, also in an open basket.
Sir David said: "I am enormously proud of Alicia. I know first-hand just how tough an Atlantic crossing in an open basket can be, and to complete it in such challenging conditions is a remarkable achievement."
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