First British woman crosses Atlantic in hydrogen balloon surviving 4 freezing nights

A British adventurer has made history after flying across the Atlantic Ocean in a hydrogen-powered balloon.

Alicia Hempleman-Adams, from Bath, completed the epic journey alongside teammates Bert Padelt and Peter Cuneo, touching down in Bastendorf, Luxembourg, at 5.58am on Sunday.

She has now become the first British woman, and second woman in history, to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a gas balloon.

The gruelling 70-hour journey began in Presque Isle, Maine, on Thursday morning. Flying at an average altitude of 14,000 feet and hitting speeds of up to 62mph, the trio faced were in an open basket that left them completely exposed to the freezing elements.

The team’s goal was to complete the first successful manned transoceanic flight powered solely by hydrogen gas.

Once they cleared Newfoundland, they had no safety net – the only alternative landing spot would have been the open ocean.

To find the right flight path, the pilots had to constantly change altitudes.

Speaking after the landing, Hempleman-Adams said: ‘I’m incredibly proud that we completed the crossing and made it safely across to Luxembourg.

‘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.

‘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.’

Hempleman-Adams, who was awarded an MBE for services to hot air ballooning in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2024, is now celebrating the record-breaking feat.

Aviation excellence runs in the family. Her father, Sir David Hempleman-Adams, previously completed the exact same Atlantic crossing solo in an open basket.

He 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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