FAQ’s

Hot Air Ballooning is a weather dependent activity. You will be sent an SMS and email the evening before your flight confirming your flight status based on the weather forecast. If conditions are unsuitable to conduct a safe flight and your balloon flight has to be cancelled by us,  you are able to rebook anytime within the validity period of your ticket or voucher. Flexi Ticket holders may also request a refund for a valid ticket (an administration fee may  apply). Gift Voucher and Flight Ticket holders will be able to rebook only. Please see our terms and conditions for full details.

The balloon is inflated with cold air and then heated using the propane burners. Once the air inside the balloon is heated, it is less dense than the cooler outside air, causing the balloon to lift. The burner is then used throughout the flight to keep the air inside the balloon warm. The pilot will allow the air in the balloon to cool a little in order to descend and heat it up to ascend.

Balloons and their baskets actually come in all different sizes and our fleet of balloons range in carrying capacity from 2 passengers up to 24 passengers. Aboard our shared flights there is generally 6 – 24 passengers aboard. The exact number of passengers aboard any given flight is going to be determined by how many people are booked for the day but the important thing to note is that the layout of these baskets ensures that everyone is still able to have a great view. Our baskets are divided into passenger compartments with the smaller balloons having two passenger compartments (which will hold 3-4 passenger each) and 4 passenger compartments the larger balloon with 4 – 6 people in each compartment. The compartments allow for 4, 5 or 6 adults, depending on the basket size, to stand shoulder to shoulder facing outwards, to enjoy the amazing view.

Our flights generally meet 60 – 120 minutes before the time of sunrise on the day. You will be notified of the exact meeting time the evening before your flight. Your meeting time is likely to fall between the following time frames-

January: 3:45am – 5:00am
February: 4:15am – 5:15am
March: 4:45am – 5:45am
April: 5:00am – 6:00 AEDST / 4:00am – 5:00am AEDT
May: 4:30am – 5:45am
June: 4:45am – 6:00am
July: 4:45am- 6:00am
August: 4:15am -5:45am
September: 3:45 am – 4:45am
October: 3:45am – 4:45am AEDT / 4:00 – 5:00 AEDST
November: 3:45am – 5:00am
December: 3:45am – 4:45am

Keep in mind that these timings are a guideline only. On occasion your exact meeting time may fall outside of these times, if deemed necessary by the pilots.

Burketown flights are usually scheduled for the afternoons. Your pilot will be in touch to advise times prior to your flight.

Balloon flights take place at sunrise as this is when the weather conditions are generally at their most stable, with light winds and cool, calm atmospheric conditions. These are the ideal conditions to ensure our flights are conducted in safe and enjoyable weather.

We schedule flights all years round from most locations, however the summer months generally provide the very best weather for ballooning with the majority of our flight proceeding in these months. August and September are traditionally quite windy and we often see a higher proportion of cancellations in these months.

There is no upper age limit – as long as you are reasonably fit and healthy with no significant knee, hip or back problems, no recent surgeries, broken bones or existing conditions that may make a balloon landing uncomfortable for you, and you are not currently pregnant, then you should be fit to fly. You will be required to climb into the balloon basket using the foot holds cut in to the side of the basket, stand for one hour and, in the instance of a bumpy landing, absorb a small impact which is similar on your joints to that of jumping off a low chair. You will also need to be able to hold on to the safety handles when the balloon is landing.

At the time of booking, whether online or over the phone you will be asked to confirm that all members of your party are fit & well with:
•    No significant knee problems,
•    No significant hip problems,
•    No significant back or neck problems,
•    No recent surgeries or broken bones,
•    No other existing conditions that would preclude them from following the pilots instructions; Assuming the landing positions with knees bent when instructed to do so, Absorbing a small bump when the ballooning is landing or would prevent them from holding on to the safety handles when the balloon is landing.
•    Are able to stand for one hour unassisted,
•    Do not weigh more than 140kg individually and children do not weigh more than 50kg individually,
•    Are not currently pregnant.

If you have any concerns about your fitness to fly, please call 02 4990 9242 to discuss before proceeding with a booking.

Ballooning is not suitable for children aged under 7 years. Children need to be and accompanied by an adult to fly. They will also need to be at least 120cm tall so they can see over the top of the basket. Please also keep in mind that the burner noise can be a bit frightening to young children.

While traditional balloon baskets do not have a door and require you to climb aboard using footholds in the side of the basket, our accessible basket has a door for easy access. Our accessible balloon is available at the Hunter Valley location. The Accessible Balloon also offers seating and harnessing and is suitable for Wheelchair users. A shuttle buses with wheelchair lift is also available.

Unfortunately not. Due to the active nature of balloon landings, ballooning is not suitable for pregnant ladies.

Yes, passengers should not weigh more than 140kg individually. Children should not weigh more than 60kg individually. Weight limits are set by the balloon basket manufacturer for safety.

A weight calculation needs to be performed for your flight as all balloons have a maximum lift capacity. By providing your accurate weight you are ensuring that your balloon is weight loaded correctly.

Balloon Aloft is Australia’s most experienced hot air balloon company with over 40 years experience. We are proud of an excellent safety record and will not fly if the conditions are not suitable. We are governed by CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) and fly strictly to the guidelines set down by them.

Yes, all Balloon Aloft pilots hold commercial pilot licenses issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Commercial Hot Air Balloon pilots hold certifications equivalent to an airline pilot.

Yes, the cost of your balloon flight includes insurance and we will not ask you to pay an insurance levy on the day of your flight.   Balloon Aloft carry Air Carriers Liability Insurance which includes Passenger liability.

You can book online at https://balloonaloft.com/ You can start your booking by clicking either the Book Now or Check Availability button.

A typical flight includes the sunrise balloon adventure, followed by the celebration breakfast, as well as digital photos taken during the flight and carbon offsetting of your entire experience. Some flight packages also include Return Transfers from your accommodation.

Yes, gift vouchers are available and can be redeemed at any of our locations. They are non-refundable and are valid for a period of up to three years from the date of purchase.

Yes, if your flight is cancelled by unsuitable, you can reschedule for any suitable (in line with your ticket type), available date before the expiry date of your ticket or voucher. You can also change your flight date up until 72 hours notice from your scheduled flight date. 

 If you cancel your experience prior to your first scheduled flight date, a cancellation fee may apply depending on the notice given and cancellations are not accepted within 72 hours of your flight time. If your flight is canceled by Balloon Aloft due to unsuitable weather, you can rebook anytime within the ticket or vouchers validity period, or, if you have a Flexi Ticket, you request a refund (an administration fee may apply). Gift and Flight Vouchers are non-refundable.

If Balloon Aloft cancels the flight due to unsuitable weather, you can rebook, or if you have a Flexi Ticket, you may be eligible for a 100% refund. Gift/Flight Vouchers are non refundable.

Yes, we operate daily, at sunrise, throughout the year (weather depending), with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Yes, discounts are available for groups of eight or more people. The group discount will apply automatically to online bookings

Payments can be made with credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Amex), Paypal (including Pay in 4), Apple Pay, Googlepay, Afterpay, WeChat Pay and AliPay.

Booking well in advance is recommended, especially for weekends, exclusive flights, accessible flights or large groups, however we can have spaces available at short notice. You can check our availability here – https://ventus.balloonaloft.com/availability/balloon-aloft

No, there are no hidden fees for your flight. A cancellation fee may be incurred if you cancel your booking before the flight date.

Yes, exclusive flights for two and small groups are available. 

Aboard a shared flight there will be other groups of passengers that have booked to fly on the same day. On an exclusive flight, there will only be your group aboard.

We offer our Ultimate Proposal Package including red carpet, candles and Light up ‘Will you marry me’ sign in our Camden and Hunter Valley locations. We can also offer a ‘Will you marry me?’ banner free of charge as part of our Romantic Flights for Two in the Hunter Valley, Camden or Byron Bay.

The meeting point is location-specific. Here are our meeting points for each location-

Hunter Valley – Peterson House, Pokolbin

Camden – Camden Valley Inn, Cawdor

Mudgee – Clairfield Hotel

Byron Bay – The Farm Byron Bay

Burketown (Moungibi) – Burketown visitors Centre

For more details, please visit the Where we fly page on our website for your chosen location

You should wear comfortable, casual clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty, along with sturdy, flat-soled, closed-toe shoes. You will not be allowed to wear heals or platform shoes. Layering is recommended as the temperature before dawn can be cool. 

Yes, transportation is provided via shuttle buses from the meeting point to and from the launch and landing sites. 

If you require pick up from your accommodation, Flight & Transfer Packages are available in the Hunter Valley, Camden and Byron Bay locations

The crew will transport you to the launch site, where the balloon is laid out and inflated with both cool and hot air. This process takes about 25-30 minutes, and passengers are invited to watch and even help if they wish.

The balloon ride itself is usually 50 – 60 minutes in duration. The total time you are with us on the morning of your flight is approximately 4 hours. This includes a flight briefing from your pilot, completing some paperwork, traveling to and from the launch and landing sites, and the breakfast celebration afterwards.

Balloons are incredibly versatile so on the morning of your flight you might find yourself flying anywhere between tree top height up to 4 thousand feet. Balloons travel with the breeze and will travel at the same speed as the wind. If the wind is travelling at 10km per hour, then the balloon will travel 10km during the hour of your flight experience.

Generally it is no colder flying in the balloon than it is on the ground. The small decrease in temperature at the altitudes we fly at are offset by the heat produced by the burners overhead. We recommend that you dress to be comfortable for the early morning ground temperature. Keep in mind that the temperature will increase after sunrise so dressing in layers is recommended.

Once the balloon is heated up sufficiently, the pilot will launch the balloon and you will gently ascend. Throughout the flight the pilot will point out sights below. The ride is very peaceful and serene with no turbulence.

The balloon’s direction is determined by the wind. The pilot controls the altitude to find the desired wind direction to navigate to the landing site.

The pilot controls the altitude of the balloon to steer it into different wind currents that blow in varying directions. Pilots skillfully use these differences in wind direction to navigate to the landing site.

The ascent is very gentle and smooth, so much so that you might not even notice when you’ve left the ground. As the balloon floats along, you will have very little sensation of movement, and the basket will feel very stable.

The landing can be either a gentle, upright touchdown or a short drag before the basket tips on its side. Both are completely normal. The pilot will instruct you on the landing position.

No, generally not. The landing site is determined by the wind direction and speed, so you can expect to land somewhere down-wind of where you took off.

The ground crew will be there to greet you when you land. You can help with the pack-down of the balloon, including walking inside the balloon, or you can stand back and watch.

Yes, passengers are invited to help with both the setup and pack-down of the balloon, but are also welcome to stand back and watch the process if they prefer.

After the flight, there is a celebration breakfast provided at a local restaurant. Some restaurants also provide a Champagne toast, dependant on the Liquor Licensing regulations.

Yes, you can bring a camera or phone to take photos or video during your balloon flight. We just ask that you have your phone on Airplane mode and not take calls during the flight so as not to interrupt other passengers’ experience.

Hot air ballooning in not suitable for dogs or pets. The sound of the burners can be distressing for animals so best to leave them safely at home.

Balloons float with the breeze and will move in the same direction as the air flow. As this airflow usually changes direction with altitude, your pilot can change the height of the balloon in order to steer. Whilst we can make every effort to fly over your house or determine where we will land in advance, it is all dependent on the wind on the morning of the flight.

A fear of heights is a very common concern, but it’s often not an issue in a hot air balloon. Unlike standing on a ledge or looking down from a tall building, you won’t experience that sensation of vertigo. The balloon moves with the wind, so you don’t feel a breeze rushing past you or a drop in your stomach like you might in a plane. Instead, the sensation is very calm and stable, like you are standing on the ground. Many people who are normally afraid of heights have flown in a hot air balloon and found it to be a peaceful and enjoyable experience.