Frequent Questions

Passenger Requirements
Weather & Cancellations
Booking and Terms
The Balloon Flight
The Balloon
Passenger Requirements
What should I wear & bring?
Ballooning is an interactive activity where audience participation is encouraged. You'll be invited to help with the setup and pack away of the balloon. It’s an active time spent outdoors.

• Closed-toe footwear is mandatory. Do not wear high heels, flip-flops, or open-toe shoes. Please note that you may be walking in wet and muddy fields, so wear sturdy shoes you don't mind getting a little dirty.

• We suggest clothing appropriate for a walk in the country, considering the weather on the day of your flight, along with a cap to protect your head from the radiant heat of the burners.

• Typically, it won’t be colder in the air during the flight than it is on the ground, so wear layered clothing that can be removed as the morning warms up or added as the evening cools down.

• Ensure your pockets have zips to keep personal items secure.

• Bags are not permitted on the balloon, you can leave them in the ground crew vehicle during your flight.
Is there an age limit?
Whilst there is no maximum age limit for ballooning, a child under the age of 7 years is not able to fly with us due to safety regulations.
Am I insured to fly?
Yes, all our experiences include complete ground and flight insurance. You can read more about our safety and operational procedures here.
Is there a weight limit?
Please contact the office on 01823 778 127 if your weight is over 18st/115kg.
Can I fly if I’m pregnant ?
Unfortunately for safety reasons we cannot fly you during any stage of pregnancy. If you find out that you are pregnant during the validity of your voucher, please contact us to extend your voucher by 9 months.

Terms & Conditions
Can I fly in a hot air balloon if I have recently had surgery?
You must not fly if you have recently undergone major surgery. We require you to tell us about any medical or physical condition that could be considered to affect your safety or the safety of others.
Am I fit to fly?
Generally anyone can partake in ballooning. You need to be able to climb in and out of the basket, stand unassisted for an hour and be able to bend your knees and hold on. Passengers must also be able to fully understand and follow all instructions given by the pilot.

We have recently purchased a new basket with a door to allow our guests to enter and exit with ease. Use of the basket door is not guaranteed so please do contact us on 01823 778 127 if mobility is an issue.
What if I have a medical condition?
You must not fly if you are suffering from any significant medical condition or if you have recently undergone major surgery. We advise you to first talk with your doctor to ensure you're fit to fly and we may ask you to provide proof of your fitness to fly from your doctor.

We require you to tell us about any medical or physical condition that could be considered to affect your safety or the safety of others.

Terms & Conditions
Weather & Cancellations
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
In the event of a cancellation, you will receive a notification via SMS and email. This message will include a one-click reschedule link, enabling you to easily view available slots and select a new date for your experience. You can also call the office on 01823 778127 to reschedule.

*Hot air ballooning is weather dependent so your flight can be cancelled if the weather does not make it safe to fly you. Additionally, flights may be dependent on mechanical performance or staffing availability. Similarly, a trip may be postponed due to less than minimum numbers being achieved.

Terms & Conditions
What are the ideal weather conditions for ballooning?
Ideally we require light winds, good visibility, dry weather and firm ground conditions.

Please note that weather conditions are inherently complex, and while the day may appear calm and clear, this does not necessarily indicate that it is suitable or safe for ballooning. Our decisions are informed by detailed, aviation-specific forecasts that provide critical information, including wind speed and direction at various altitudes, thermal activity and intensity, sea breeze patterns, atmospheric stability and wind shear, among many other factors. We meticulously evaluate all of these elements, and more, to ensure the safety and feasibility of each flight.

We would not fly you in marginal or unsafe weather conditions.
How do I know if my flight is going ahead?
We aim to contact you by 16:00 the day before your flight to confirm whether it will proceed, as well as the meeting time and location. Please note that this may sometimes be as late as 22:00 the night before a morning flight or as late as 16:00 on the day of an evening flight.

We aim to contact everyone with as much notice as operational procedures allow.

*If you are traveling long distances or booking hotels specifically for ballooning, we strongly recommend contacting us two days prior to your departure and choosing accommodations with a flexible cancellation policy.
Why would a flight be cancelled?
We really regret having to cancel and rearrange flights as we know the disappointment that comes with it for our guests. However, your safety is our top priority and our duty of care is to operate in a safe manner.

Hot air ballooning is weather dependent so your flight can be cancelled if the weather does not make it safe to fly you. Additionally, flights may be dependent on mechanical performance or staffing availability. Similarly, a trip may be postponed due to less than minimum numbers being achieved.

As a commercial balloon operator we do not fly in marginal or unsafe weather conditions.

Terms & Conditions
I saw another balloon flying so why was my flight cancelled?
As a commercial balloon operator we do not base our decision to fly on what other balloonists are doing. All our pilots are very experienced commercial balloon pilots and make their decision to fly on specific aviation forecasting and experience.

The safe operating limits for commercial ballooning are far more stringent than that of private flying.
Booking and Terms
If I need to postpone my flight, how much notice should I give?
• Up to 5 days before your flight: You may change or postpone your flight at no charge.

• Within 5 days of your flight: A £25 per person fee applies for any changes or cancellations.

• Within 48 hours of your flight date: No changes or cancellations can be made.

To make any changes, please contact our office during business hours by calling 01823 778127.

Terms & Conditions
Can I get a refund?
We offer a weather refundable option at checkout which entitles you to receive a full refund if your flight is cancelled due to bad weather. Please note that without this option, your voucher is non-refundable under any circumstances.

Please note: No refunds will be given for bookings that have been on our system for more than six months.

Terms & Conditions
How to redeem a gift voucher?
Congratulations! To redeem your gift voucher please go through the usual booking process and enter your code in the 'offer code' section during checkout. During the booking process you will be asked for the passengers names and weights.

Please note that all our gift vouchers are valid for two years from date of purchase. You must have tried to book onto at least 10 flights during this validity which have been rescheduled due to bad weather for it to be extended.

Terms & Conditions
How long is my voucher valid for?
All our hot air balloon rides and vouchers are valid for 2 years. This is 12 months longer than our competitors giving you two full seasons to take your flight.

Please note that you must have booked onto at least 10 flights which have been postponed by us during the validity of your voucher for it to be extended by a further 12 months.

Terms & Conditions
Is my booking/gift voucher transferable?
Yes! Please email us and include the person you’re gifting/selling the voucher/ticket to, along with their full name, mobile & email advising the transfer of ownership.

Changes made up to five days before a booked flight are free of charge. However, if you request a change within five days of a booked flight, a £25 per person fee will apply. No changes can be made within 48 hours of a booked flight.
Can I buy now and choose a date later?
If you are unsure when you would like to fly you can select 'choose date later'. This will also give you the option to select 'This is a gift'. If selected you can add the names of the recipients and a message. The vouchers will be emailed to you.
How long in advance do I need to book my flight?
All our flights are subject to availability which is live on our website. To secure a date it is best to book as far in advance as possible. However, we do often have last minute availability which can be booked as late as 8 hours before the flying slot, either on the website or by calling the office on 01823 778127.
How to add additional passengers to my booking?
To add additional guests to your booking please call the office on 01823 778127. Please note that spaces are subject to availability so it is best to contact us as soon as possible.
Can I change the location of my flight?
Yes, you can change the location of your experience to any of our other locations. Changes made up to five days before a booked flight are free of charge. However, if you request a change within five days of a booked flight, a £25 per person fee will apply. No changes can be made within 48 hours of a booked flight.
When is the final payment due for my private experience?
All our private experiences operate on a deposit basis. To secure your booking, a deposit of £150 is required. A few days prior to your scheduled flight, you will receive a payment link to settle the remaining balance.

Please note that we reserve the right to charge the card on file on the day of your flight if the balance has not been paid in full.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, you can arrange to pay in installments. The final payment is due no later than 2 weeks before your flight.
The Balloon Flight
Where do we take off?
Green: Our two main launch sites in each shared flight flying area.

Blue: A selection of our launch sites across the south west. These maybe used for any private flights or sometimes as a back up to a shared flight launch site.

If you would like to fly from your own property or have an area in mind, please contact us to arrange. (Private experiences only).

What times do we fly?
All balloon flights take place either in the morning or evening and are dependent on sunrise and sunset times. Arrival times will vary throughout the year. In the mornings we can meet as early as 5:00 to as late as 8:30 or in the evenings as early as 16:00 and as late as 18:30.

Our live booking calendar shows the meeting time for each flying slot throughout the year.
How often do we fly?
We schedule flights from March 1st to October 31st morning and evening, seven days a week. Please note availability is split between private and shared experiences and all flights are weather dependent. You can view a live calendar of scheduled flights on our bookings pages.
Can I fly over my house?
We unfortunately cannot guarantee that we will fly in any particular direction due to the weather dependancy of hot air ballooning. With our private experiences we do offer the opportunity to fly from your own property or a specific area, please contact us to arrange.
How high does the balloon fly?
Usual flying height is anywhere between 500ft and 5000ft. Your pilot will vary the height to give you a well rounded experience. The true magic of hot air ballooning is often flying low and traversing the countryside something that we love to do when it is safe to do so.
How long is the hot air balloon flight?
You can expect to be with us for around 3.5 - 4 hours. This includes setting up, the balloon flight, packing up, a complimentary drink and driving back to original meeting location. The balloon flight lasts for around 1 hour.

Terms & Conditions
How do we get back to the launch site after the flight?
After the flight Fly Away Ballooning will return you to the original meeting location approx 3 - 4 hours later.
How far will we fly?
Balloons travel with the wind so each balloon flight varies depending on the wind speed. You could fly a relatively short distance or perhaps as far as 20 miles.
Where will we land?
As balloons can’t be steered in the traditional sense you’re never quite sure where you will land. The destination is irrelevant, the adventure is everything! Your pilot will be looking for suitable landing spots after 50 minutes.
What’s the landing like?
More often than not the landings are calm and gentle but sometimes on landing the basket can tip and/or drag along before coming to rest. This is how balloons have been landing for over 200 years and is perfectly normal. The landings are exciting and many people say it is their favourite part of the flight.
Can people come with me to watch?
Sure, bring your friends or family along to watch but please advise them that there may be no lavatories or other facilities on the launchsite. They are also not to drive onto our launch or landing fields.
What are the best times of year to fly?
Clear crisp winter mornings are just as beautiful as warm summer evenings. Generally flights are more likely to go ahead in spring, summer and autumn. It is totally personal preference so there is no 'best' time!
The Balloon
How many people will be in the basket?
Unlike our competitors who fly balloons carrying up to 16 passengers we fly smaller balloons that carry a maximum of 8. This makes for a much more personal ballooning experience allowing all onboard to have a more enjoyable, fun and comfortable flight in a far less commercial way.
How do you enter and exit the basket?
You climb in and out of the balloon by the foot holes in the basket.

We have recently purchased a new basket with a door to allow our guests to enter and exit with ease. Use of the basket door is not guaranteed so please do contact us on 01823778 127 if mobility is an issue.