A balloon flight begins with a safety briefing conducted by the pilot, followed by jointly inflating and unfolding the balloon. The flight itself lasts from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on weather conditions. After landing, a toast is traditionally made with champagne or juice. The whole adventure — from gathering passengers to returning — usually takes 3–4 hours.
What time do flights take place?
Balloon flights take place exclusively at sunrise (usually 30 minutes after sunrise) or 2–3 hours before sunset. These are the times of day when the wind is calmest and atmospheric conditions are most stable. The exact meeting time is usually given by the operator the day before the flight after confirming the weather forecast.
How to prepare for the flight?
Dress in layers — it's cooler at sunrise, so bring a sweatshirt or jacket. Choose sports or hiking shoes (flat sole, no heels). Avoid loose scarves and baggy clothes that might get caught. Bring a charged phone or camera. Don't eat too large a meal a few hours before the flight.
At what altitude does the balloon fly?
A typical balloon flight takes place at an altitude from a few dozen meters to about 1000 m above sea level. The altitude depends on atmospheric conditions and the pilot's decision. In Poland, recreational flights are performed below controlled airspace.
How many people can fly in one balloon?
The basket capacity depends on the operator's balloon. Typical baskets hold 4–16 passengers. The number of available seats is always shown for each flight in the search. You can also reserve a flight exclusively for your group — ask the operator before booking.
Where exactly will we land?
The landing site is not known in advance — the pilot selects it on the fly based on wind direction and terrain. The ground crew tracks the balloon and picks up passengers at the landing site, then takes them back to the starting point.