Frequently Asked Questions

Safety First

• Is a balloon flight safe?
  

  Yes, hot-air balloon flights are safe when conducted by experienced pilots and under suitable weather conditions. Our company employs pilots with many years of experience and hundreds of flight hours.

• What experience and qualifications do the pilots have?
  

  Pilots must hold a valid hot-air balloon pilot license (BPL), a valid medical certificate, and undergo annual training and a proficiency check flight with an examiner. The selection of pilots for our company follows strict internal criteria.

• How often are the balloon and equipment inspected and maintained?
  

  Balloons and all equipment undergo annual inspections at authorized service centers of the renowned manufacturer Kubíček Balloons factory, and maintenance is carried out according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and legal requirements.

• What insurance is provided for passengers?
  

  Our passengers are covered by mandatory insurance, which protects against injuries sustained during the flight.

• Is ballooning among the safest modes of transport?
  

  Yes. According to data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), only 775 incidents involving hot-air balloons have been investigated in the USA since 1964, of which 70 involved fatalities. Other sources and relevant organizations (FAA, EASA) even consider ballooning the safest form of air transport.

The Most Important Information About a Balloon Flight

• How to Book a Flight?
  

  Premium Balloon Flight
  After receiving your tickets, please book your flight in our online reservation system on our website in the “Reservation” section – www.flyballoon.cz/letenka.
  You can always book only one date at a time. If the flight cannot take place, you will later be able to choose an alternative date.
  Don’t forget to register all passengers/tickets. If you cannot find a location and date that suits you, you can request another date by email at info@flyballoon.cz.
  For the flight to take place, suitable “flight weather” conditions must be met, and the basket must be filled to the minimum landing weight (at least 5 out of 6 persons, or 14 out of 16).
  Your booking is binding. Reservations can be canceled no later than 72 hours before the planned flight.

  Private Balloon Flight
  For private flight reservations, please contact us at +420 733 608 101 or by email at info@flyballoon.cz.

  NOTE: Always inform us in advance of any physical or medical condition when booking your flight.

• How Does a Balloon Flight Work?
  

  1. Book your flight date.

  2. Flight confirmation: Our pilots will contact you by phone or SMS before the planned date. Depending on the current weather, they will confirm or cancel the flight.
  – Evening flights: confirmed the same day between 12:00–14:00.
  ​​​​​​​– Morning flights: confirmed the previous afternoon or evening (no later than 21:00).
  In the confirmation message/call you’ll be told the exact meeting time and launch location. Please do not arrive earlier than instructed.

  3. Meeting at the launch site: We meet at the take-off point and explain how everything will proceed (where to stand during inflation, when to board, etc.).

  4. Inflating the balloon and take-off: Preparing and inflating the balloon takes about 15–20 minutes. The pilot and crew set everything up and thoroughly check the equipment. If you wish, you can actively take part in the preparation.

  5. The flight: During the flight you can take photos, wave at people, ask the pilot questions – but above all, enjoy it! A typical flight lasts around 60 minutes. The pilot may shorten or extend it by up to 15 minutes depending on weather and terrain. Balloons usually fly at 150–500 meters above ground for the best views. If you’d like to go higher and conditions allow, the pilot will gladly take you up.

  6. Balloonist’s baptism: After landing, you will be elevated to the “balloonist nobility” and we’ll toast to your new noble title and a soft landing. In ballooning tradition, anyone who flies for the first time and lands safely is considered “born again” and must be granted a noble title.

  7. Return transport: After the flight (and after finishing the champagne), we’ll board the support vehicle and take you back to the meeting point.

• How Long Does a Balloon Flight Last?
  

  The flight itself may last from 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. The exact time depends on meteorological and geographical conditions – wind speed, wind direction, flight area. In that time, you usually travel about 15 km. Please allow at least 3 hours for the entire experience (preparation, flight, packing the balloon, return).

• When Do Balloon Flights Take Place?
  

  During the day: Due to thermal currents, which are dangerous for balloons, flights only take place about 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset. At these times, the atmosphere is stable, making for a calm and safe flight.

  Throughout the year: Although you can fly all year round (weather permitting), the main sightseeing season runs from April to October. This is when weather conditions are most suitable, and we fly at full capacity. Dates are flexible – weekdays, weekends, and even holidays. Outside the main season (November to March), we only offer the Private Flight option.

• Where Will the Balloon Fly?
  

  The only certainty is the launch site – the trajectory and landing site are always unknown, which makes each flight unique. The direction and speed of the flight depend on the meteorological conditions at the time. The balloon flies wherever the wind takes it (wind must be between 2 m/s and 4.5 m/s), and the pilot chooses the landing site during the final quarter of the flight.

• What to Wear and Bring?
  

  Remember that the entire experience takes place outdoors. Take-off and landing are usually in a meadow. The best choice is sporty, darker clothing (it may get dirty) – as if you were going for a walk in the forest. We recommend long trousers and one extra layer (after sunset it gets colder at the landing site).

  Shoes are essential: sturdy sports shoes are a must, ideally waterproof. It is forbidden to fly in slip-on shoes (Crocs, flip-flops, sandals) or high heels.
  During the flight you can freely take photos and videos – there is plenty of room in the basket for a camera, phone, or small backpack.

• How Fast and How High Does a Balloon Fly?
  

  The wind must blow between 1.5 m/s and 5 m/s, which means the balloon typically covers about 15 km in one hour. The usual flight altitude is 300–1,000 meters above the ground, but it can be higher depending on conditions and passengers’ wishes.

• Is It Cold in a Balloon?
  

  The temperature in the balloon is the same as on the ground. Flights usually go up to 1,000 meters, where it feels the same as below. Additionally, in the balloon there is no wind (you are flying with the wind), and the burners provide a pleasant warmth on your shoulders.

Who can fly?​​​​​​​

• Can anyone fly in a balloon?
  

  NO. The topic of medical fitness is covered in this detailed document – if you have any doubts about your health condition, please check it.

  A few general rules:
  – Every passenger must be in good physical condition, able to climb over the basket edge and stand for the entire duration of the flight. A harder landing must also be considered.
  – If a passenger has any of the following conditions, we do not recommend flying: recent surgery, hip problems, knee or back issues, pregnancy.
  – Passengers under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or psychotropic substances are not permitted to fly. The pilot has the right to exclude any passenger suspected of being under such influence.
  – If a passenger boards the basket while concealing their true health condition from the pilot, they assume full responsibility.

  If you have one of the above-mentioned issues, you may transfer your ticket to another person – tickets are transferable. If you don’t wish to give the ticket to someone else, please contact our customer service center and we will find a solution for you.

• Why do I need to be in good physical condition?
  

  A balloon flight is an extraordinary experience, and we want you to fully enjoy it and remember it with joy.

  If you are currently recovering from an injury or surgery, or if you use mobility aids such as crutches or walking sticks, unfortunately, ballooning is not suitable for you.

  Why? Because a balloon flight is much more than just standing in the basket. It requires active participation during the landing maneuver, when you must support your weight on your legs and move with the basket. If the basket tips over – which occasionally happens, though it is not dangerous – it is important to hold onto the handle and steady yourself to avoid falling on other passengers.

  The pilot has the right to exclude you from the flight if your health condition is inconsistent with the above. This is not only for your safety but also for the safety of other passengers.

• Can I fly if I use mobility aids?
  

  Unfortunately not. If you use mobility aids such as crutches or walking sticks, ballooning is NOT suitable for you. During preparation or packing of the balloon, we sometimes need quick assistance, including simply moving out of the way.

  The flight itself is more than just standing in the basket – it requires active participation in the landing maneuver, when you must support your weight on your legs and move with the basket. If the basket tips over – which sometimes happens but is not dangerous – it is essential to hold onto the handle and steady yourself to avoid falling onto other passengers.

  The pilot has the right to exclude you from the flight at the launch site without refund. Therefore, please consider your participation carefully and, if necessary, transfer your ticket to someone else. Tickets are transferable.

• Can I fly if I am pregnant?
  

  First of all, congratulations if you are expecting! However, we kindly ask you to skip ballooning during this life stage. We do not recommend flying even in early pregnancy, and certainly not after the 20th week.

  Why? Because not all landings are soft – sometimes the balloon may hit the ground harder, or the basket may tip over.

  If a passenger boards without informing the pilot of her pregnancy (in which case the pilot would unfortunately have excluded her), she assumes full responsibility.

• Can children fly in a balloon?
  

  Yes, we are happy to take younger passengers if they are at least 7 years old and 120 cm tall. The height requirement ensures that children can see over the basket edge. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

  We do not fly with smaller children because they are often frightened by the noise of the burners, and standing in the basket for an hour is tiring for them. For safety reasons, it is not permitted to hold a child in your arms during the flight.

Weather

• What weather is suitable?
  

  Hot air balloon flights depend on favorable weather. Since your safety is our top priority, flights are only carried out under the following conditions:
  – Wind must be between 1.5 m/s and 5 m/s (including gusts),
  – No rain or snow,
  – Minimum visibility of 5 km,
  ​​​​​​​– No thunderstorm warnings issued.

  The final decision to conduct the flight always rests with the pilot, who is responsible for the safety of the flight. If the pilot decides to cancel due to unfavorable weather, please remember – it is always for your safety as passengers! We kindly ask you to respect and not dispute this decision.

• Why was my flight canceled?
  

  We consider weather to be our friend, as it makes each flight unique – but unfortunately, we cannot control it. This means our pilots have the right to cancel a flight when conditions are not suitable and may affect safety.

  All our pilots are highly experienced and make the decision whether a flight can take place. No member of staff questions the pilot’s judgment, and we kindly ask our passengers to do the same. Please do not pressure the pilot into flying at the expense of safety – our pilots always put your safety first.

  When a flight is canceled (during final confirmation or occasionally at the launch site), the pilot usually provides an explanation. The most common reasons include: strong winds, rain, low cloud, poor visibility, or the rapid development of thunderstorms.

  Our pilots make the decision based on the most relevant and up-to-date forecasts (using multiple meteorological sources) just before confirming the flight. Sometimes the forecast at the time of decision looks perfect – or hopeless – but several hours remain until the flight, during which conditions may change completely.

  In the end, actual weather conditions may turn out differently from the forecast. We are truly sorry when this happens, but the old ballooning saying always applies:
  “It’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than to be in the air wishing you were on the ground.”

• It was sunny and not very windy – why was the flight canceled?
  

  The location where you are may not reflect the real situation. You might be sheltered from the wind and not feel its strength or gusts. Thunderstorms or CB clouds (Cumulonimbus) may have been forecast. These are dangerous, and we do not fly near them – “near” can mean within a 50 km radius.

  There are many factors influencing the decision, and our pilots truly know why and what they decide. If you have doubts, we will gladly explain the situation to you personally by email.

• My flight was canceled, but I see balloons in the sky – why?
  

  Our pilot’s decision whether to fly is independent of what other balloonists decide. Our pilots consider all weather factors and make their own decisions, always putting your safety first.

  The other balloon may have had better protection at the launch site from the wind direction at that moment. It could also have been a private balloon (not a commercial passenger flight like ours), which may legally fly in much worse visibility than public transport-certified balloons. Private balloons are also generally smaller, making them easier to inflate and land. It could also have been a training flight for a student pilot, who must practice in less favorable conditions than those acceptable for passenger flights.

• What should I do if my flight is canceled?
  

  Please book an alternative date in our online reservation system or contact the FlyBalloon customer service center. If your ticket has expired, contact us for an extension of validity.

Balloon Flight and Balloon Details

• What is the maximum number of passengers in a balloon?
  

  At our company, we specialize in top-level experiences, so we use smaller-capacity balloons. Our pink balloons carry 2 to 6 passengers plus the pilot. All passengers stand along the outer edge of the rectangular basket, facing outward, back-to-back – nobody has another person standing directly in front of them.

• How does a balloon work?
  

  A hot air balloon works on the principle of heating the air inside the envelope using burners. Warm air is lighter than cold air, which causes the balloon to rise. To descend, the balloon is gently cooled.

• How much gas is needed for one flight?
  

  The amount of gas depends on the length and conditions of the flight. For a standard flight, we always carry a reserve sufficient for at least half an hour longer than the planned flight time. This ensures we always have enough gas to land safely at a suitable location.

• How is a balloon steered?
  

  The direction of flight is determined by the wind. The pilot can partially influence direction by changing altitude, as the wind often blows in different directions at different heights.

• How does a balloon land?
  

  The pilot gradually reduces altitude and looks for a suitable landing site. Before landing, the pilot instructs passengers on the correct landing position. In the final phase, the hot air is released from the envelope, and suddenly there is nothing left to hold the basket and passengers aloft.

• How do we get back from the landing site to the starting point?
  

  From the landing site, you will be taken back by the support vehicle or an arranged transport provider.

• What are the main parts of a hot air balloon?
  

  A hot air balloon consists of the envelope, the basket, the burner, and the fuel system.

• What materials are used for the envelope?
  

  Balloon envelopes are made from durable and lightweight materials such as nylon or polyester, specially treated to withstand high temperatures.

• What is the volume of a balloon?
  

  The volume of a balloon varies, but typically ranges from 2,000 to 12,000 cubic meters of air.