hot air balloon flight

Where can you take hot air balloon rides in the United States?

Hot air balloon over the vineyards of Napa Valley

The hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley (California) is magnificent thanks to the region’s rich winemaking heritage. Who hasn’t dreamed of flying over endless rows of vines at sunrise? This is possible thanks to hot air balloon flights departing from Napa Valley.

There are airplane flights over the estates, but what could be better than doing this flight by ballooning, without noise, letting yourself be carried by the winds? Believe us, this balloon tour of the vineyards won’t leave you indifferent. This unique experience deserves to be shared with your loved ones.

Flying a hot air balloon over the landscapes of the Southwest

The United States is full of gems, but the Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah) is without a doubt one of the most majestic, with breathtaking landscapes. A hot air balloon ride over the red deserts (Sedona, Monument Valley) is a timeless moment. A hot air balloon ride in New Mexico will offer magical views over the high plateaus.

You will fly over mesas, canyons, and iconic rock formations. The seasons do not affect the beauty of this region: the light changes at every moment of the day and year, offering a different, always stunning spectacle. From Sedona to Monument Valley, from Page to the edges of the Grand Canyon, trust us: we have never met anyone who wasn’t enchanted by a balloon flight over the Southwest.

When we talk about the Southwest, we immediately think of a hot air balloon ride around Albuquerque (NM), between high plateaus and mesas, it’s an extraordinary setting. The most famous flight in this region is a flight in Albuquerque, a landmark of ballooning.

Hudson Valley by hot air balloon

The Hudson Valley region (State of New York) also offers magnificent viewpoints. Flying over the valley and historic estates in a hot air balloon is without a doubt one of the best ways to admire these breathtaking landscapes.

Also fly over historic towns and winding rivers. Whether you are on vacation in the region or you live there, seeing these places from the sky is a unique experience.

Sierra Nevada by hot air balloon

A flight near the Sierra Nevada offers a breathtaking view of the terrain peaks, lakes, and green valleys. This experience is one of the must-dos for a hot air balloon ride in the West, allowing you to discover the region’s natural richness from the sky.

One of our flagship flights in the area is the balloon ride near Lake Tahoe, allowing you to fly over the famous lake with the Sierra ridges as a backdrop. A fabulous mountain flight.

Over the Northeastern territories

A hot air balloon ride in the Northeastern United States invites you to explore varied, authentic landscapes, between Finger Lakes, dense forests, and charming villages. From the sky, this unique experience reveals the full richness of this territory, with spectacular views over gorges, valleys, and historic estates.

It is an ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural and cultural beauty of this part of the country.

Hot air balloon over the Maine coast

Everyone knows New England, but few have seen it from a hot air balloon. The cliffs, wild beaches, and other gems of this region will delight young and old alike. Flying a hot air balloon above the Maine coast or over typical villages is an experience to live at least once in your life.

Flying a hot air balloon over the Cascade volcanoes

The volcanoes of the Cascade Range (Oregon/Washington) are magnificent, but seeing them from the sky is even more so. These green expanses and volcanic peaks are a feast for the eyes. Booking a hot air balloon ride over this terrain will leave a lasting impression.

The American West is very vast, offering many launch and landing sites for a first-time balloon flight in the mountains or over the valleys.

Book a hot air balloon ride

To book a flight, simply browse our site and choose, according to the region you wish to fly over, the offer best suited to your expectations. Whether you want to book a shared flight or privatize a basket to be alone with your loved ones, we offer several options so you can be sure to find the offer that matches your desires.

Booking a hot air balloon ride is simple: you choose the location (for example, a hot air balloon ride in the Southwest), the date, and the option, then you enjoy a flight with operators for whom safety and comfort are priorities. Your booking confirmation is sent quickly with the meeting time.

Give a gift certificate for a hot air balloon ride

A gift certificate for a hot air balloon ride is a unique gift for all special occasions. Validity generally extends for 12 months, giving the recipient the freedom to choose their ideal date. The validity of the certificate can be extended as long as the request is made within the two months prior to the expiration date.

The certificate comes in different forms: instant digital version by email, or a gift folder sent by mail. Whether for a birthday gift or a wedding gift, a certificate for a hot air balloon ride is sure to please and create unforgettable memories.

For groups, some operators offer a private basket that can accommodate up to eight people. An excellent idea to mark a bachelorette or bachelor party or celebrate an event with friends.

How does a hot air balloon ride work?

How a first flight unfolds

Hot air balloon first flights are unique, not only for the beauty of the flight itself, but also for all the organization around it, which makes for an unforgettable moment. You will depart from the meeting point to the launch site. Then comes the big moment of inflating the hot air balloon.

Ballooning enthusiasts will explain how these balloons work and you will take part in setup and inflation. Once the balloon is standing in the air, you will board for a flight of about one hour, guided by the winds.

The pilot or aeronaut will choose the best place to land. The ground crew will meet you for balloon deflation. You will then return to the meeting point, most often followed by a friendly moment over an aperitif if the flight takes place in the evening or breakfast for a morning flight.

Find a hot air balloon ride near me

To search and find hot air balloon rides in Napa Valley, Albuquerque, or the Hudson Valley, for example, simply browse our catalog offering flights all over the United States. The country’s most beautiful landscapes are accessible by balloon. Choose the place you dream of flying over or a launch area near you to plan your hot air balloon trip, as a couple, with friends, or even solo.

How long is a hot air balloon ride?

Most hot air balloon rides last about one hour, that’s more than enough to explore the flight area and feast your eyes. However, there are hot air balloon journeys that can last several hours. These journeys are for lovers of the skies or the curious who want to push the experience to the limit. We still recommend starting with a standard first flight of approximately one hour before considering a journey, but it’s an experience to live, we love it.

How much does a hot air balloon cost?

Price of a hot air balloon ride

The price of a hot air balloon ride varies between 200 and 350 USD per person for a one-hour flight in a shared basket. For example, a hot air balloon ride near Albuquerque starts at about 250 USD, this kind of first flight will let you discover the high plateaus and the desert from above, in absolute calm.

Price differences for a flight

Prices differ according to regions and the service. You can opt for a private hot air balloon ride that will cost between 900 and 1,500 USD and you can enjoy the experience exclusively with your loved ones. Some flights offer an in-flight meal, a drink after landing… services that increase the price.

What is the best time of year for a hot air balloon ride?

The best season for a hot air balloon ride is from April to October, weather constraints are less frequent, which limits weather cancellations, and the temperature is more comfortable than in winter. Morning flights are, in our view, the most magical, but sunset flights also have a special flavor.

Of course, weekday flights are more likely to be available than weekend flights, but there is a good chance you will find a flight for your ideal time on our site.

How does a hot air balloon work?

The operation of a hot air balloon is based on a simple physical principle: hot air is lighter than cold air, which allows the balloon to rise. The basket a kind of large wicker gondola in which passengers board is attached to an envelope.

By inflating it with hot air using a burner, the balloon rises into the sky. The pilot then chooses altitude according to the winds. The only way to steer a hot air balloon is to play with air currents, this is the art of piloting, the aeronaut knows how to handle the aircraft and guide it with the wind.

A ground crew follows the balloon to pick up everyone at the end of the flight, because the landing site is not known in advance.