Hot Air Balloon Ride Tips

2. It’s Value Each Penny

Balloon experience prices range primarily based on the size of the experience, the recognition of the vacation spot, and whether or not or not a champagne toast or breakfast are included with the tour. The typical price of a flight within the U.S. is $175 to $300 per particular person.

A flight over Napa Valley will begin at $250 for a 45- to 60-minute experience with as much as 12 passengers within the basket. A flight over New Jersey’s Hunterdon County and the Delaware River is $175 per particular person for 4 passengers.

For decent air balloon rides over the extra unique Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, the costs are inexpensive, beginning round $85 per particular person. In distinction, a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara in Kenya begins at $420 for an hour-long flight.

3. Security Is A Precedence

On my first scorching air balloon experience, I didn’t suppose a lot about having a will, superior directives, or having up-to-date beneficiaries on my 401K. I knew a lot of the pupil mortgage debt can be forgiven with an premature loss of life.

I believed extra about security on the 2 subsequent scorching air balloon flights. However the danger/profit ratio strongly favored climbing aboard — each building and authorities oversight make ballooning a really protected mode of transportation.

At present, the balloon is constituted of ripstop nylon and the basket bolstered with metallic, all within the curiosity of security.

Within the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs each the pilots and the recent air balloons. Pilots are licensed and tools is inspected at common intervals. For worldwide ballooning, evaluation the recent air balloon firm’s credentials and the nation’s necessities for licensing pilots.

4. The Climate Should Be Good

Within the curiosity of security, pilots cancel flights if the climate isn’t good for flying. A storm, windy situations (over 8 to 10 miles per hour), low-lying clouds, fog, or something that hampers visibility imply your balloon flight might be canceled.

While you analysis a balloon firm, look over their cancellation coverage. Will they solely reschedule your flight, or will they provide a refund if you happen to aren’t capable of reschedule?

5. It’s A Daybreak Or Nightfall Journey

Usually the very best ballooning situations happen a number of hours after daybreak or earlier than nightfall as a result of winds are calmer at these occasions.

A dawn balloon flight can have you away from bed early. You’ll arrive on the launch web site in time to look at the balloons being inflated at dawn.

Professional Tip: When planning your day, put together for a 3 to 4-hour outing.