Questions about Balloon Ride & Napa Tour | Balloons above the Valley

FAQs

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What time do we meet?

We meet about thirty minutes before sunrise. Therefore, times do vary throughout the year, ranging from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Just email us with the date you are inquiring about and we will let you know the meeting time.

Where do we meet in the morning?

We meet at Model Bakery located at 644 1st Street Napa, CA 94558 for coffee and pastries at your preflight orientation. Free parking can be found at Oxbow Public Market.

How much time should I allow for my adventure?

For the entire adventure you should allow about 3-4 hours.  This includes the approximate one-hour long balloon flight as well as transport to and from the flight site.

What should we wear?

Casual clothing along with comfortable closed toed shoes is recommended. We also suggest wearing light layers so that you can easily adjust to the temperature as the sun comes up. The coolest you will be is on the ground. Once you are in flight, the burners tend to keep the baskets nice and warm.

Can we bring cameras and video cameras?

Yes! Prepare to take a lot of pictures! We encourage you to share your pictures on our social media sites!

How many people will be in our basket?

We have different size balloons that can accommodate 2, 4, or 20 passengers. We bring out the balloons that will best accommodate the number of passengers that we have scheduled on a given day.

Can I bring my child with me?

We do not have any age restrictions; however, we do have a 48-inch height requirement. You are unable to hold your child at any time during the flight; children do need to be able to stand on their own for the approximate one-hour long balloon flight. Also, the sound of the burners can sometimes scare younger children, this is not a constant sound you will hear, the pilot turns the burners on every few minutes to keep at a specific altitude. Because of this we recommend bringing ear plugs for children under 12 years of age.

Are Hot Air Balloons Appropriate for everyone?

Hot Air Balloon rides are a fun experience however there are some individuals in which we do not recommended flying: Expectant mothers, children 48 inches and below and pets (including service pets and emotional support pets). All passengers must be able to stand for a minimum of 1 hour without assistance.

Can you accommodate passengers with disabilities?

All passengers need to be able to stand independently in the basket for at least an hour.

Does the basket sway when flying? Will I get motion sickness?

Hot air balloon baskets move with the wind, there is little to no chance of motion sickness. You can rest easy knowing you won’t feel queasy!

What if I have a fear of heights?

The balloon rises gradually and is like floating. If a passenger is too afraid to fly, they are advised to purchase a chase ticket. A chase ticket allows a guest to watch the balloons from our shuttle on the ground. To purchase a chase ticket please contact our office at 707-253-2222.

How do you steer?

By ascending and descending, a pilot can find different currents of wind to carry the balloon in direction he or she would like to go.

Is there a weight limit?

We do not have a weight limit however should anyone be concerned we ask that they let us know so we may be sensitive to anyone needs.

How long in advance should we make our reservation?

We recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance to secure your desired date.

Pregnancy

For safety reasons mothers and their unborn children, or those who may be expecting, are not permitted to fly.

How far does the balloon go?

Our pilots fly over as much of Napa as the wind allows.

How long is the flight itself?

The flight itself lasts 45 minutes to an hour depending on the weather.

Weather

Safety is our number one priority. We fly when the temperature is cool, and the winds are calm. If the weather does not permit flying, we will contact passengers regarding rescheduling or cancellations.

Where do we launch from?

We have several launch sites within Napa Valley. Wind and fog can determine where we may launch on any given day. We also have alternate launch sites in two adjacent valleys if weather does not permit us to fly in Napa.

What are you waiting for?

It’s time to embark on a truly memorable adventure!