York Balloons

General FAQs

• What time do we meet the balloon?
  Flights usually take place in the 2 hours after sunrise and the 2 hours before sunset. This is when the lower atmosphere is most stable and suitable for your flight. Sunrise and sunset times vary throughout the year but are generally about 6am and 6pm.
• Will the balloon land at the launch site?
  No, the balloon moves in one direction unless the wind changes. We will collect you and take you back to the launch site by road.
• Will you bring the balloon to me?
  No, you will have to choose from one of our launch sites, and make your own way there.
  
• Will you fly over the sea?
  No, passports are not necessary. Our coastal launch sites may get you close to the sea, but only being able to fly in one direction, it’s not advisable.
• How many people can fly on one voucher?
  One voucher per passenger, believe it or not a lot of people think that a voucher is for the whole basket.
• What is the balloon made of?
  The balloon is rip-stop nylon.
• What is the basket made of?
  It is a metal frame with wicker covering, which is still the best basket material.
• Can I fly the balloon?
  No, our pilots are all qualified and highly experienced and we believe it’s best to leave the actual flying up to them.
• Will I see my house from the balloon?
  This depends on wind direction and speed, and where your house is!
• Can anybody fly in a balloon?
  We ask that a responsible adult accompany passengers aged 7-15. All passengers should be at least 4’6’’ in height so that they can see over the edge of the basket. There is no maximum age limit, although you’ll need to be agile enough to climb into the basket and stand for one hour. We cannot carry passengers who are suffering from a serious medical condition, who have recently undergone surgery or who are pregnant. Please ask the office staff if in doubt.
• What happens if my flight is cancelled?
  If your flight is cancelled then simply ring our staff to rearrange your flight.
• How long is the flight?
  Depending of weather conditions and suitability of landing sites, the flight will last from 40 minutes up to 80 minutes.
• How high do we go?
  Up to 3000 feet, but this varies from area to area and time of year flown.
• Will there be other people in the balloon?
  We fly a range of balloons that can carry from 2 to 19 passengers.
• What should I wear?
  We recommend you wear casual clothes with long sleeves, trousers and a hat/cap, with good walking shoes or boots, no high heels please. It will be slightly warmer in the balloon due to there being no wind chill.
• Can my friends and family come and watch?
  You are welcome to bring friends and family to watch you take off, but there are no special facilities available for spectators. We also cannot guarantee that facilities such as public toilets will be available at launch sites. They can follow the balloon if they wish but we do not recommend that they follow our retrieval vehicles. If they do manage to keep up with the balloon until it lands, under no circumstances should they enter the field without permission of our crew, as they will be trespassing.