- Just because you reserved and gave a deposit for a hot air balloon ride doesn't mean that it will happen. Safety is always the company's first concern, and they can only take people up in a balloon if the conditions are right. If the conditions are uncertain, the hot air balloon company will follow through with the agreed upon meeting and the pilot will make a determination as to whether or not to fly at sunrise (for sunrise flights). That means that you might have gotten up very early and driven across town and waited for another hour only to find out that the hot air balloon ride has to be postponed. It happens. If you are visiting from out of town, I wouldn't wait until your last day to schedule your hot air balloon ride. That way, if your ride is postponed, you can try for another date.
- Young children, even if they can see over the edge of the hot air balloon basket, might have a tendency to get bored after the first few minutes. Then there will still be a better part of an hour that they are standing and doing nothing. If you are unsure of your child's ability to handle it, you shouldn't take them for the ride.
- I don't recommend wearing a dress or a skirt; it is awkward climbing in and out of the balloon basket.
- The balloons fly at an elevation that is, at most, a couple thousand feet. Typically, it isn't much cooler up there than it is on the ground. For sunrise flights, dress in layers. It will be cool or cold in the morning, depending on the time of year, and warm up in an hour or two. Note: If your balloon flight is in northern Arizona, elevation could make more of a difference.
- There are no bathrooms where you are going. Hot air balloons are inflated in open fields, and packed away after the flight in similar areas. You spend several hours without restroom facilities nearby, so don't load up on cups of coffee in the morning, and make a restroom stop wherever you are parking your car and meeting the balloon company.
- Even though flights are called "sunrise flights" and "sunset flights" you will experience neither sunrise nor sunset while up in the balloon. You'll be on the ground. They can't fly when it's dark.
- Most hot air balloon companies in the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas give you the choice of helping to inflate the balloon or just letting the balloon crew do it.
- Because there is no threat of darkness immediately after sunrise, the pilot has a little more leeway on the flight with respect to time. For the sunset trips, when dusk approaches, the pilot has no leeway; he has to land the balloon.
- Between meeting, getting to the balloon take-off area, inflating the balloon, the balloon flight, landing, packing up, celebrating and returning to your vehicle, you can expect to spend 3 to 4 hours, not including your driving time.
- My personal opinion is that the Scottsdale flights are more scenic than the Phoenix flights, if you have a choice.
Page 1: Take a Hot Air Balloon Flight in Phoenix/Scottsdale
Page 2: Who Should Take a Hot Air Balloon Flight
Page 3: What To Expect During Your Hot Air Balloon Ride
Page 4: Tips and FAQ
Page 5: Landing in Your Hot Air Balloon
Page 6: Location, Cost, Contact
Watch a video that included this balloon flight!
