Join us at one of our
Hot Air Balloon Festivals
in Warren Couny, NJ

June 1 & 2, 2024

Warren Community College

July 27 - August 3, 2024

Warren County Farmers' Fair

Sept 21 & 22, 2024
Warren Community College

See more at balloonfestnj.com

Get your tickets

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Hot Air Balloon Ride Operation in New Jersey.

What does the Champagne Balloon Flight include?

We fly for around 40-50 minutes, as conditions allows, then follow the flight with a champagne picnic or brunch. Your entire adventure usually takes between 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Friends and family are welcomed to ride in the chase vehicle (1 or 2 can fit), or follow in their own vehicles, and join the party after the balloon flight.

What about small children and hot air ballooning?

There is no exact age restriction on flying small children. However you may want to take several things in to consideration. First, can your child see over the basket. Also, if your child has been around a balloon before, how did they respond to the burner. For those children that have never been around a hot air balloon before, the burner is quite loud and spits out an extremely large flame. Chances are a young child (5 or 6), no matter how much he tells you really really wants to go, will be scared by the burner and change his mind at the last minute. Young children tend to get bored because ballooning is not an exciting ride like a roller coaster. We recommend 8 years of age or older is best.

What if you are pregnant?

We cannot fly you if you are pregnant.

What days and times do hot air balloons fly?

7 days a week. Morning and evening flights are available. Morning flights are at sunrise and evening flights are normally 2 hours before sunset. It is important that you arrive on time. Being late may result in a shorter balloon ride as we always must put safety first.

What area does the hot air balloon fly over?

The area of New Jersey we fly in is referred to as the Skylands. Any direction we fly, you will see the rolling hills of the Skylands, and as far as the Delaware Water Gap. On a clear day you can see both Philadelphia and New York City.

When is the best time to fly, in the morning or early evening?

Both times are very beautiful, though both are quite different. Even if you are not a morning person, the morning flight will be a pleasant eye-opener. You have to commit to waking up early in the morning to go on the morning flight but it is well worth it. You will find yourself surrounded by beautiful farmland and rolling hills.

How far will we go on our hot air balloon ride?

Every flight is different. The speed of the wind determines how far we go on any given day. We have flown as little as 1/4 mile, and as far as 20 miles. On average, the flight will be about 8 to 10 miles.

How many people does the hot air balloon carry?

Balloons come in all kinds of sizes. They can carry from one to fifty people. The larger the balloon the more people it will carry. We have a small balloon that can take 2 passenger and a larger one that can accommodate groups of 4.

Can you accommodate larger groups?

No problem. Just give us a call for more details! For corporate retreats, conferences and team building excercises we can work with you on the details.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Air Ballooning.

Why do balloons only fly at sunrise or a few hours before sunset?

During the summer, the winds are the calmest in the morning or early evening. In our part of the country, balloons usually will not fly in winds more then 10-12 miles per hour. The hills and valleys create turbulence when it is windy, which makes it unsafe to fly. In the plain states where it is flat, balloons are able to fly in higher winds because the land is flat and therefore usually less turbulent. The heat of the sun also causes turbulence as it warms the ground. In the winter, it is possible for balloons to fly anytime during the day, if winds are not related to weather fronts.

What is the hot air balloon made of?

The balloon itself or “envelope” is made of 1.7 ounce, high tenacity, rip-stop nylon, the same type of material used in parachutes. Our basket or “gondola” is made of woven wicker and is all-woven in construction, giving it great flexibility and impact-absorbing qualities upon landing.

Is hot air ballooning dangerous?

There is inherent danger in just about anything that we do. We usually tell people that it is safer in the balloon than in your car. Ballooning is like any type of flying. If you follow the rules, and use your common sense, it is as safe a sport as you make it.

How do you steer a hot air balloon?

Winds vary at different altitudes. Every day is different, so some days are more steerable then others. You steer by going up and down to find the winds that are going the way that you want to go. That is the challenging part of flying hot air balloons - trying to get where you want to go.

How do hot air balloons fly?

Balloons fly when there is a less dense air mass created inside the balloon than the surrounding air. This is caused by heating the air inside the balloon.

What kind of fuel do hot air balloons use?

Balloons use liquid propane. Most balloons carry between 30 to 40 gallons. In a typical flight we will use 15 to 20 gallons.

What if I have a fear of height?

Not to worry. Because you are not attached to the ground, you don’t get the same sensation as you would standing on a tall building or ladder. Most people forget about their fear very shortly after takeoff.

Do I need a jacket?

It is not any colder in the balloon then it is standing on the ground. Because we go with the breeze you lose the chill factor. The rule of thumb is that for every thousand feet you go up, it is two degrees cooler. Usually, our flights are below two thousand feet so it is not a factor. Should we go up above 5000 feet, you will start to notice a cooling off in the air.