FAQs

We operate our season between March and October. Weekend summer evenings are the most popular, but Spring and Autumn can produce some of the best flying conditions, with changing colours and flights of greater distances.

Balloons fly with the wind, so we only know the approximate direction,not the exact landing point.

We operate our season between March and October. Weekend summer evenings are the most popular, but Spring and Autumn can produce some of the best flying conditions, with changing colours and flights of greater distances.

Ladies, please do not wear high heels. Stout waterproof shoes or wellingtons are advisable as the field can often be very damp early morning and evening. A hat for those who may be 'thin on top' as the burner creates quite a lot of radiant heat. It is just as warm in the sky as on the ground - the same clothes as one would wear to go out on the day for a walk, will be quite adequate.

Friends and family are welcome to come along and watch the balloon take off. They may also follow the balloon with the ground crew and hopefully watch the balloon land.

The balloon and passengers are insured to the maximum of two and a half million pounds for any one claim. So you are in safe hands!

Balloon Safaris have many launch sites around London. We have 9 launch sites around London. Visit our 'locations' page for more information and interactive maps. Sunrise and Sunset vouchers are restricted to certain flight locations. Please visit 'voucher & prices' section for more details.

The answer is, very safe. Hot air ballooning has the best safety record of any form of flying. We only fly when conditions are safe, our pilots are highly qualified and all are commercially licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The balloon flight lasts for approximately an hour or so, but please allow three to four hours in total. Ballooning takes place in light wind conditions and good visibility with no rain, overcast conditions are perfectly acceptable and often ideal for flying. Flights take place early in the morning (06:00 hrs) and early evening (18:00 hrs) when winds are lights and the weather stable. Launch times vary with the time of sunset and sunrise.

All balloons are weight loaded and it is very important for accurate weights, especially in the summer months when the temperature is in excess of 20 degrees. If you are 17 stone or over you must take your champagne balloon flight in the morning when it's cooler, or pay 50% surcharge. Please note the following: Passengers cancelling at the last minute can jeopardise the whole flight by making the loading too light for the balloon to fly within it’s safety margins. Failure to turn up for your flight when confirmed has the potential to cause immense disappointment to others and you would loose your voucher. We do need 48 hrs cancellation notice.

Generally the maximum height you will go in a balloon is not above 2500ft, normally our cruising height is around 1000ft. The temperature in the balloon is very similar as on the ground, there is no wind chill factor.

We can not guarantee you will go over an area that you want to. The direction the balloon will go is dependent on the wind direction. You will not be landing where you took off. The retreive crew will offer you a lift back at the end of your flight. Alternatively your friends and family can follow to give you a lift straight home.

It is generally the same temperature in the balloon as on the ground. So dress appropriately givent the weather conditions of the day of your flight.

The answer is yes but we can not be held responsible for any loss or damage. During the balloon flight you will have many opportunities to take photographs.

You will need to be fit enough to be able to stand for at least an hour. We generally say, if you can jump off a chair then you are ok to go ballooning.