Hot Air Balloon Flight from Phoenix

Hot Air Balloon Flight from Phoenix -- Go on a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Sonoran Desert! Our FAA certified balloon pilots apply their skill as they command their craft, contouring the landscape at various altitudes to afford you a flight that is "simply the best."

In harmony with Mother Nature, you will float with the gentle breezes of the Southwest and enjoy a landscape like no other. Upon landing, our skilled crew will be with you to tend to post flight duties and to prepare for your post flight celebration.

Note: Prices are per person for up to 5 people. Please call for pricing if you have 6 or more passengers. The balloon requires 6 people to fly and we fill as needed. Groups and couples are kept together in the same balloon. Children must be over 4 feet in height to fly.

You will ride in a beautiful and colorful balloon piloted by an experienced, FAA licensed pilot. one cannot steer a balloon, so the course is quite literally determined by the winds.

Your adventure begins with a pre-flight briefing. You will meet your pilot, learn all about your flight, and get answers to all of your questions. At the launch field, the balloon will impress you with its immensity as it begins preparation for flight. Bring your camera and twice as much film as you think you will need. There will be many memories you will want to capture and relive.

As you "lift off," your romance with the sport of ballooning begins. You will share breathtaking panoramas with old friends and the new ones you will meet on your high adventure. Enjoy the spectacular view as you observe animals, birds, and the surrounding area. Following landing and pack-up, the crew will return you to our meeting location. A traditional champagne toast will cap off your classic ascension and return to Mother Earth. We conclude your extra-ordinary adventure with the presentation of a personalized flight certificate.

Notes:
-Prices are per person for up to 5 people. Please call for pricing if you have 6 or more passengers. The balloon requires 6 people to fly and we fill as needed. Groups and couples are kept together in the same balloon.
-Children must be over four feet in height to fly.

-Wear casual clothes, as if you were going for a hike; no open-toed shoes.

-There are no refunds for this tour.

-If your flight is cancelled due to weather, we will call you.

-Your adventure lasts three hours. You arrive at your port and as your pilot briefs you as you watch your balloon inflate. You ascend and are in the air for 1 to 1.5 hours depending on wind conditions and how long it takes to get you down. Once you land your chase crew picks you up and your are taken back to your port where you enjoy champagne and regional hor d'oeuvres.

FAQ
--How far ahead should I choose a date?
Soon! While on isolated occasions there is immediate availability, you should plan to schedule your trip 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Weekend flights fill up first, while the best availability is on weekday mornings.

--What is expected of me?
Read this information so you are properly prepared and have patience with the weather and scheduling. We promise to do our best to get you up as soon as possible, but we will not do anything to jeopardize your safety. When the weather dictates, choose an alternate date as soon as possible.

--What time should I be there?
Sunset and sunrise vary from day-to-day throughout the available months. Once you have scheduled your flight, a more accurate time can be provided.

--How should I dress?
Dress casually, but please do not wear shorts or sandals. Appropriate clothing for ballooning is jeans, tennis shoes, and casual shirts. Please bring a baseball cap or other similar headwear if you desire. It will be approximately the same temperature in the balloon as it is on the ground.

--How long will I be there and what will be happening?
Please plan to be with us approximately 3 hours. We will start with a pre-flight briefing during which the pilot will explain everything and answer your questions. We will provide transportation for the passengers to the launch site where you will see the entire inflation process. Your flight time will be approximately one hour (varying with the availability of landing sites and weather conditions). Following landing and pack up, return transportation is provided. A complimentary champagne toast will cap off your flight and you will receive a personalized flight certificate to remember your aeronautical adventure.

--From where will my balloon be launched?
We have many sites to choose from. The choice will be made based on landing site availability downwind and the view. For your safety, this decision is made by your pilot and is based on the final weather briefing received just prior to your departure for the launch site.

--Can I bring my camera?
Yes, you may bring a camera or small camcorder aboard, but at your risk. Please use a neck or wrist strap. Bring more film or tape than you could ever imagine using, because most people run out.

--How many people will be in my balloon?
The size of the balloon you will be flying in is determined by which balloon is on the flight schedule for your date, the total weight of the passengers, and the outdoor temperature. Groups and couples are kept together in the same balloon.

--How much does the weather affect my flight?
100%. For sunrise flights, our staff will evaluate the weather condition and notify you if they feel the forecast is suitable for safe flying. Please note: rescheduling several times due to non-ballooning weather is average. Regretfully, we cannot control the weather, but only the safety margin with which we fly.

--Why is wind speed & direction so important?
A balloon is the most flexible aircraft in the world in terms of where it can land. Balloons don't require pavement or a flat surface like an airplane. Unlike airplanes, balloons don't have landing gear and this creates a constraint on landing speed. Since the velocity of the surface winds affect landing speed, it is important to avoid strong wind conditions. Although a trained pilot can perform a safe high-speed landing, we avoid this by canceling flights when surface winds are too fast.

--What is our procedure to determine if the flight is on?
Approximately 3 to 6 hours prior to departure we are in regular contact with FAA Flight Services for the latest forecast. We examine radar and satellite loops to fine tune our interpretation of the weather forecast plus we test local surface wind conditions. In most cases we make the "go"/"no-go" decision to fly 2 to 3 hours before departure.

--Why are flights cancelled?
Each day during our flight season we are ready to fly morning and evening. The only reason we cancel a flight is because flight conditions are unsafe or passenger/weight minimums are unmet.

--Are there any special health or physical restrictions?
Please call and discuss your individual situation with a member of our pilot staff. Things of importance to us are pregnancy, recent surgery, and back, leg, and hip problems.

--What if I need to change or cancel my reservation?
Changing the day of your flight or canceling the flight requires 72 hours notification.

Tour does NOT include hotel pick-up. Prices are per person and include tax. Children must be over 4 feet in height to fly. Please reserve online or call 888-317-3570 for reservations or more information. There are no refunds for this tour.