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! :)