Roscommon, September 2026 - A giant suitcase-shaped hot-air balloon, with enough internal volume to fit the equivalent of 25 double-decker buses, is set to take to the skies over Roscommon as part of an ambitious global GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt.

Nicknamed The Flying Suitcase, the spectacular 22-metre-wide balloon was created by Northern Ireland-based luggage delivery company Send My Bag to celebrate its 20th anniversary. It will appear at the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships from 19–23 September, marking the Irish stage of an attempt to achieve the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the most countries flown in by the same hot-air balloon in one year.

Weather permitting, The Flying Suitcase is expected to take to the skies from Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle each day from 19–23 September, with flights planned for approximately 7am and 5pm. Qualifying flights will be assessed for duration and altitude and logged as part of the global record attempt. The company plans to visit 30 destinations across Europe this autumn before taking The Flying Suitcase to Australia, the Americas and Asia in 2027.

For Send My Bag founder and CEO Adam Ewart, bringing The Flying Suitcase to Ireland is a particularly meaningful stop on the company’s 20th-anniversary journey: "Send My Bag started with a scribbled note on the back of a boarding pass after I got stung by an excess baggage fee at the airport. Twenty years on, we've helped hundreds of thousands of people move their belongings to and from Ireland, and in the last year alone we've shipped to customers in over 160 countries. It still amazes me that a company that started here is now taking on a world record. We're delighted Roscommon is part of that journey, and we'd love for people to come along to the championships and see The Flying Suitcase for themselves".

"Frank Meldon, Event Director for the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships, said The Flying Suitcase's arrival adds a standout moment to this year's event: "Special-shaped balloons always get people talking, and this year The Flying Suitcase is the only one of its kind in the skies over Roscommon, so it's going to be a real focal point for spectators and photographers."It's also the only balloon at this year's event chasing a Guinness World Record, which gives the whole championships an extra bit of excitement. We're delighted Send My Bag picked Roscommon as part of their journey, and we'd love for people to come down to Lough Key Forest Park and see it for themselves." (weather permitting!)