We schedule hot air balloon rides morning seven days a week during the season, which is May/June to November/December. The meeting hour is usually between 5:30 am and 7:00 am depending on the winds, location and sunrise hour.

During the day, the sun heats the ground which heats the air above causing thermals or columns of rising air. These thermals cause updrafts and downdrafts which affect a pilot’s ability to safely control the balloon. The second reason is caused by the wind gusts that are very common during the day (up to the night). Those increasing wind speed exceed the safety limits of the balloon flights.

Your pilot will confirm the exact time you need to arrive at the launch site for check-in late evening of the previous day. As early as 5:00 am or as late as 8.30 am, depending on sunrise times.

No, we have to have flat spaces to land safely in case of high wind. In the mountain area the wind speed increases, so flying there with passengers is too risky. Our priority is always the safety!

Hot air balloons can’t be steered in the traditional sense. Instead travel where the wind takes them, with skilled pilots controlling the altitude by heating the air inside the balloon. How far you’ll fly depends on the wind speed. It also depends on how long it takes the pilot to find a suitable landing spot. You could fly a relatively short distance or as far as few km.

In general – on the field 🙂 Hot air balloons can’t be steered so they travel on the wind and you never know where exactly you’re going to land. The pilot will start looking for a suitable landing site after around 40 minutes. The ground crew will track the balloon on the ground and aim to arrive shortly before the landing.

Flying in a balloon is a very serene experience while in the air but it is an adventure activity in the great outdoors. Sometimes on landing the basket can tip and/or drag along before coming to rest. This is how balloons have been landing for over 200 years and is perfectly normal. The balloon and basket are designed for your comfort and safety throughout the flight and landing. During landing you will be in the safe, seated landing position within the basket as instructed by your pilot. The landing is an exciting part of the experience and many people say it is their favourite part of the flight.

Spectators are welcome, they can follow the balloon by road after our chase car. Passengers will be transported back to the launch site after the flight, or your spectators can pick you up!

We recommend clothes suitable for a walk in the country depending on the time of year and on the specific day you are flying. Generally comfortable clothes are a good idea, plus a cap or other hat for the warmth from the burners. Depending on conditions, you may be walking in wet, muddy fields so sensible shoes or trainers are essential. You may take part in the inflation and deflation of the balloon, which most people really enjoy. This is much appreciated because it helps to make the process much quicker for everyone, so we also recommend you wear clothes which you don’t mind getting a little dirty. No designer wear, flip-flops or high heels please, as we are unable to accept responsibility for any damage to clothing.

Our hot air balloons are small but once inflated, they are 24-28 m tall. They take between 2100 and 3500 cubic metres of air to fill.

We can take up to 4 passengers, so if you are not booking a special, private flight than you can expect some other people to fly with you.

You must not fly if you are suffering from any significant medical condition or if you have recently undergone major surgery. We require you to tell us about any medical or physical condition that could be considered to affect your safety or the safety of others.

We make every effort to ensure people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in balloon flights with us wherever it is possible and safe to do so. As everyone’s particular situation is different, please tell us about any disability before booking a flight. Unfortunately, for safety reasons, we are unable to fly anyone who requires a wheelchair.

Yes, if they are older than 8 years old and taller than 120 cm. Up to age of 16 they must be accompanied with parents during the flight.

The weather is something we cannot control no matter how hard we try. Sometimes we will cancel the flight because the weather conditions are not safe to fly in. It may be caused by too fast or too slow wind, rain or forecasted thunderstorm. The wind at ground or the gust speed must be within balloon operational limits. We cannot fly in rain because it means there will be poor visibility and it also makes the balloon heavier to fly. Thunderstorms or CB (Cumuli Nimbus) cloud are dangerous and we would not fly in their vicinity. We put your safety first at all time.The flight can be cancelled few days before, the night before, or sometimes even just at the take-off location. We are using the very accurate and reliable weather forecast, but sometimes the actual conditions may ultimately turn out differently to what was forecasted.

Don’t worry, if your flight is cancelled because of the weather or related factors, you can just book onto another date.

Hot air ballooning is an extremely safe activity. It is highly regulated by the aviation law with strict safety guidelines. We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and our hot air balloon pilots hold full commercial pilot’s licences.

We have the same level of insurance for our passengers as a commercial aircraft operator. All our balloons are insured for public and third-party liability in accordance with Regulation of the European Parliament – Insurance Requirements for Air Carriers and Aircraft Operators.