FAQ

Usually, a balloon flight lasts about 45 minutes to 1 hour. At an average wind speed of about 3-5 mph, a balloon will fly 2–5 miles. Ground crews follow the balloon, talking on the radio with the pilot. The balloon will land in an open area with the ground crew there to help recover the equipment and to take the pilot and passengers back to the launch site. There will be a traditional Sparkling Cider toast at the end of our flight. On average the whole ballooning experience is 2.5 – 3 hours.

Hot air balloons tend to fly in remote and rural areas, so it best to wear durable outdoor clothing. Closed-toed shoes, like boots or sneakers are a must, as the balloon might land in rough terrain. Early morning flights might be chilly on the ground, but it is important to remember that it will be warmer inside the basket. It is best to wear layers, so you can adjust to a comfortable temperature. Long pants in both summer and winter are recommended to protect your legs from the cold and sticker bushes in the landing site.

Weather is a very important factor in hot air ballooning safely. Winds both on the ground and aloft, temperature, pressure systems, rain and fog all play crucial roles in a pilot’s decision to fly. Most commercial ride companies require passengers to call-in the day before a flight to check weather conditions. If a flight is canceled due to weather, Confetti Balloons will reschedule the flight for another day or may offer a refund if another day is not available. We strive to give you the safest and most enjoyable ride possible.

Some hot air balloons can hold up to 30 passengers. Here at Confetti Balloons we have chosen to keep the experience personal and limit the size of our balloons to a maximum of 4 – 5 passengers. Hot air balloons vary in both envelope and basket sizes. Contact the ride company you plan to ride with for questions regarding the number of passengers you will be flying with. The number of passengers is dependent on how warm the ambient temperature is and the weight of TOTAL passengers.

The distance a balloon covers depends heavily on the wind speed in the area it is flying. The average pleasure flight can range anywhere from two miles and up to eight miles from the launch site.

Winds are generally calm and favorable the first hours after sunrise. The sun’s uneven heating of the earth’s surface causes strong, variable winds making late morning and afternoon flights unpredictable. In the morning, it takes a couple hours to heat the earth’s surface enough to generate the thermal activity that creates unpredictable winds. Ideal winds for commercial flights are 1-6 mph.

Every Balloon has a maximum level of weight it can carry. This weight is affected by the ambient temperature around the balloon and at what altitude it is flying. Before a flight, the pilot uses the passenger’s weight to decide how many people can go in the basket.

The highest hot air balloon flight on record went to an altitude of 22,000 ft. However, the typical pleasure flight would fly from treetop level to a couple thousand feet, depending on the wind speed and direction.

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Any person in good physical condition is welcome to fly with us! Must be able to stand unaided for an hour during the duration of the flight. Ages 5-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Pregnant individuals and children younger than 5 cannot fly.