Balloon pilot hopes to break husband's world record

Allie became passionate about balloons after her first flight in Burma in 2002 when she met her husband

A pilot is hoping to break the World record for the most countries flown in a hot air balloon.

Allie Dunnington, from Bristol, currently holds the female record after flying through 115 countries but is now "chasing" her late husband's achievement of 127 - as he still holds the world record.

She said although she didn't start ballooning until later in life, she believes it has become her "life mission" and hopes to encourage more women to do similar.

Ms Dunnington plans to fly in Bangladesh and Brunei later this year.

Botswana was the 111th country that Ms Dunnington flew in

Before flying, Ms Dunnington had a "totally different career" and says becoming a commercial balloon pilot was "definitely not" on her life agenda.

She hoped that by striving to achieve the World record, she can encourage and inspire more women and girls to follow in her footsteps.

Ms Dunnington said: "I think ballooning is actually a very female activity and involves a lot of multitasking. I do often wonder why more women aren't doing it - I'd love to see more ladies ballooning."

Prior to Covid, she ran a women's ballooning club for ten years and says every time she flies, she tries to encourage her female passengers to take it up.

'Life mission'

During the summer months, Ms Dunnington often pilots two commercial flights a day - usually one from Taunton and the other from Tiverton.

She said: "Although Tiverton and Taunton are less of a nightmare to fly in than Bristol due to airspace, Taunton can at times be tricky because of the moors and crop - it can be hard to know where to land!"

With plans to fly in Bangladesh and Brunei later this year, Ms Dunnington describes attempting to achieve the world record as a "great way" to explore the world and meet new people.

She said: "I decided this is my life mission and if I really keep going, I think I can make it to 150 countries and beat my husband's record."