Policies, Terms,
Conditions & Flight Rules
If you have any questions which are not
answered by this page or the Q&A Session,
please call or email
us and we will be glad to discuss any concerns you may have.
General Policies
We offer our hot air balloon flights through two standard booking
methods - direct flight reservations or prepaid flight certificates. The price
is the same either way arrangements are made, but the flight certificate will
allow the recipient(s) the freedom to choose the time and date of their flight. Direct flight reservations hold your preferred date
right from the start, and are recommended for weekend flights or during popular times of the year, especially foliage season from late
August through early November.
A 50% deposit is required to reserve a flight date. In lieu of a deposit payment, we will also accept a credit
card number, which will not be charged until after the flight. See our cancellation policy below
for further deposit/refund information.
Gift certificates are always available and are valid for two years from the date of purchase. They are very attractive and make a wonderful gift.
See the gift certificate section below
for more details and policies.
Inclement Weather
Ballooning is a fair-weather activity. Inclement weather
conditions may cause flights to be cancelled or rescheduled, so keep
that possibility in mind when planning your adventure with us.
Please don't be upset if we have to inform you it's not flyable on
the day of your flight - we can't control the weather. All flight
decisions are made in the best interest of the safety of our guests.
We'd love to fly all the time, but sometimes Mother Nature just
doesn't think we should.
Weather cancellations can and do occur, so please have patience.
Sometimes we just cannot fly on your chosen date. Weather cancellations will be rescheduled at
a convenient later date. Previously-scheduled flights will have priority (first
scheduled, first priority). We will reschedule
you as many times as necessary until your
flight is completed. If you cannot reschedule after a weather
cancellation, a refund of your flight deposit will be allowed. Gift
certificates will not be refunded due to weather cancellations. If you
have left a credit card on hold for your deposit, it will not be
charged.
• Weather conditions that will generally cause cancellation:
High winds, rain, thunderstorms within 100 miles, low cloud
ceiling or low visibility.
• Weather conditions that are preferred: Winds under 8-10 miles
per hour, no precipitation, good visibility.
Click here for more
weather information.
Medical Concerns
We must be notified beforehand of any possible medical issues
which would be cause for concern. Such conditions may include but
are not limited to:
• Long-term or debilitating illnesses
• Late-term Pregnancy
• Severe Osteoporosis
• Inability to stand for extended periods, reliance on a
walker/cane, etc.
• Requirement for oxygen breathing equipment, kidney machines,
etc.
• Recent Major Surgeries, Broken Bones, Hip Replacements, etc.
In many cases, we should be able to accommodate the passenger in
question; however, we need to know what limitations may be present
so we can plan for a safe experience. If in doubt, consult your
physician about the suitability of a balloon flight. Keep in mind
the possible landing situations
that may be experienced.
Unfortunately, wheelchair-bound passengers cannot be accommodated
in our balloons. There are only a handful of specially-equipped
wheelchair hot air balloons in existence in the world.
Per FAA regulations, passengers under the influence of drugs or
alcohol cannot and
will not be flown. Refunds will not be given for those who
arrive in a such a state.
Cancellation
Policy & Scheduling Changes
We schedule all flights on a definite basis
and do not overbook flights. When you make reservations to fly, we
ensure specific space in the balloon for your party. If we are full
for a certain flight, we must turn away potential customers.
Last-minute changes or cancellations affect our schedule as well as other
passengers' plans. Therefore, we have a generous cancellation policy
in effect to protect everyone in case plans happen to change.
• Cancellations or reservation changes at
least 72 hours prior to the meeting time are permitted.
Perhaps plans have changed or there is a scheduling conflict that
has come up? That's perfectly fine - just
give us a little bit of notice and there's no penalty whatsoever.
• Cancellations within 24-72 hours of the meeting time will result in forfeiture of the flight deposit (50% of total
flight cost), or the equivalent amount charged to the credit card on
hold.
• Should you fail to show up at the scheduled
meeting time, or cancel less than 24 hours in advance of our meeting
time, the full flight fare will be due. Failing to show up at all - or
arriving late enough to miss the flight - is considered a "no-show."
Gift
Certificate Information & Policies
Your gift certificate is your proof of purchase and is to
be presented on the day of the flight. Do not lose it! You may keep
it afterwards if you'd like.
Gift Certificates are valid for a maximum of two years from the date of purchase. There are no
extensions to gift certificates. Each certificate has its own Flight
Number and "Valid Through" date which is clearly marked in
the bottom corner. The Flight Number is your reference number to use
when calling us and is how we keep track of your flight information. Keep it handy when calling to schedule or check in
for a flight, and it'll help make the process go very smoothly.
Schedule your flight as soon as possible. Don't wait to schedule
your flight until the last 60 days of the valid period. Weather
cancellations can and do occur, and more often than normal in the
off-peak months (November through May). As stated above, there are
no extensions - even due to bad weather - unless there are extremely
exceptional circumstances.
Gift Certificates are non-refundable but are fully
transferable. However, you should call us at the time of transfer so
we may document any changes and make updates in our flight planning.
Passenger
Check-In
You must call us to
"check in" and confirm the status of your
scheduled flight between 9:00 and 10:00 PM the evening before a morning flight, or in the early
afternoon between 2:30 and 3:00 PM for that day's afternoon flight. We
will not contact you.
If you do not call to check in, we assume you will not be showing up.
At the same time, don't expect us to be at the launch site without a
check-in call. Checking in is all-important - don't forget!
Call 1-844-9-HOT-AIR to check in and confirm your flight with
us.
Meeting
& Launch Times
The sunrise/sunset calendars found here
are our official time schedules for 2005.
Our morning hot air balloon rides launch at
sunrise. Morning flight passengers should meet at our launch sites 30 minutes before sunrise.
Our afternoon hot air balloon rides launch within two hours of sunset. Afternoon flight passengers
should meet at the launch site two-and-a-half
hours before sunset.
If you need directions, are lost, or are running late, call us
anytime at 1-844-9-HOT-AIR.
Late Arrivals
& No-Shows
Please allow extra time for
afternoon "rush hour" traffic backups along major
highways. Late arrivals will count as a "no-show" unless
all other passengers flying are willing to delay launch for your
arrival (not likely! :)
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