Bon Voyage Preview Image
Machine Description
Released by Bally Manufacturing Corporation in November 1974, Bon Voyage is an aviation and travel-themed single-player electro-mechanical pinball machine designed by Jim Patla with artwork by Dave Christensen. The machine uses mechanical scoring reels typical of EM-era pinball.
The playfield features letter targets at the top, a saucer with variable point values ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 points, a captive ball mechanism, rollovers, and a spinner. The primary objective requires players to collect letters spelling "BON VOYAGE" across multiple balls. A target in the top-right section awards letters from different groupings, adding strategic depth to gameplay.
Bon Voyage represents the refinement of electro-mechanical pinball design in the final years before the industry transitioned to solid-state electronics. The aviation theme reflected the era when commercial air travel was expanding and international vacation travel was becoming increasingly accessible to middle-class Americans.