Ballooning Safety Information

With BALLOONING you are in good hands. Safety and pleasure of flying are our priorities. Each year, we carry thousands of passengers in our hot air balloons and offer an unforgetable experience of floating in the air. The "zero risk" does not exist, but from the begining of the activity we have invested in "security" : new equipment, experienced pilots, trained ground crew, insurance, maintenance and periodic control, etc. for our passengers and pilots have a flight in safe condition.

Hereafter, you can read all information about our Safety Investment, in order to garantee to our clients a professional balloon activity realized in maximum security and safety conditions.

Our response to CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

* Update: December 1, 2021 *

Dear customers,

We are pleased to inform that we are authorized to fly despite the covid situation. Below is a short FAQs list to answer some of the most common questions about our COVID-19 response. We have been working hard to offer you the best garantees in Safety and Health to prevent the spread of this virus. We continue processing orders and arrange posting of the Ballooning Gift Box, manage bookings and scheduling, and any other inquiry.

We thank you for supporting our small business and we hope that you and your loved ones are kept safe and well. We look forward to meeting you all in a field someday soon to embark on an exciting adventure into the Spanish sky.

Kind regards,

Nicolas Schwartz
General Manager

Are you operating hot air balloon flights?

Yes, local authorities authorize hot air balloons companies to fly all over Catalonia. We can operate and schedule flights for our guests near Barcelona city, Central Catalonia and the Pyrenees mountains.

Do we have to show the covid passport to board a balloon flight?

No, our activity is operate in open air environment and passengers does not require to show the "covid passport" to take part of the tour.

What sanitary measures is BALLOONING adopting?

We will apply the Safety and Health measures given by the authorities and the balloon fabricant, for the necessary time we will need it. One of the measures we shall apply in order to protect our customers, pilots and crew members against virus contamination, will be carrying face masks and cleaning hands with disinfectant solution during a balloon operation. Our customers, who will book a balloon flight with us, will receive Anti Covid-19 Safety Guidelines in their voucher.

What about Gift Certificates expiring during the lock-down?

We are keen to ensure you are not missing out through no fault of your own. Therefore we will extend expiry date of your flight vouchers accordingly. Just contact us and we let you know.

What happen if my flight is cancelled due to COVID-19 restriction?

You can rebook for a later date in the year or get your money back if you can't reschedule (except Gift Certificate bookings which are non refundables). Contact us by Email and we let you know the situation and options.

Measures in pictures

BALLOONING is a certified air operator

We offer and operate hot air balloon rides in Spain, therefore we have the obligation to present minimum human, financial and technical garantees to major Aviation Authorities that deliver aerial certification to operate and that realize anual inspection of our company.

The local Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) delivered our Air Operator Certification to operate commercial and private hot air balloon rides, to realize aerial advertising and aerial photography. That means we offer enough technical, human and financial garantees to fly in hot air balloon all around Spain and Europe. This certification is public and can be checked on the AESA website.

The team : training and experience

Our pilots have been trained in a specialized flight school and graduated as "pilot in command". They have cumulated thousands hours of flight experience in hot air balloon and other aircraft. They are qualified to operate commercial and private flights with passengers. Our team speaks English, Spanish, Catalan and French. We are the only balloon air operator in Catalonia to have an international instructor part of our ballooning team.

We are also involved in hot air balloon national and international competitions. One of the creator and also pilot of BALLOONING company is the current french champion and Nº1 in the national ranking. He also reached the 4^th position during the World hot air Balloon Championship.

Our "chase crew team" has been trained to assist the pilot during the hot air balloon preperation process, to comunicate with passengers and to follow by car the balloon during the ride. All team has been personally trained to manage any situation of emergency as well as first aid procedure, in order to offer you maximum professionalism and security.

Equipment : control and maintenance

A hot air balloon is an aircaft, therefore we follow a very strict maintenance program according to the manufacturer specification and the local aviation safety agency. Also, before each flight, the pilot always inspects the balloon and its equipment before flying.

We are under maintenance contract Nº TA15 with a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation named ULTRAMAGIC SA for the maintenance of our balloon fleet and equipment. This organisation is authorized by E.A.S.A. (European Aviation Safety Agency). We have a dedicated budget to invest in new equipment, for balloon maintenance and repair.

Third part insurance

We have the obligation to contract an aerial third part insurance for all passengers heading to the ballooning activity.

We are under insurance contract with ATLANTAS for a Third Part Insurance for the passengers according to European law Nº785/2004. Therefore, all passengers boarding our balloon are legally insured.

Usefull safety tips before heading to ballooning

In order to live this amazing balloon adventure in safe and good conditions, we always inform our passengers about few tips and useful recommendation ... We invite you to read the following safety records for you to have a memorable balloon experience :

Before the balloon flight :

What clothes must passengers wear? We recommend to wear sporting clothes according to the flight season and appropriate shoes, having in mind that a balloon can land on muddy fields and the flight is made in the early morning. During the flight, the temperature does not change.

Who can go up in a ballon? Every body can fly a board a hot air balloon from children aged 6 y.o. We just recommend pregnant women and people suffering bones weakness not to fly. We also prefer flying with people in good health and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

What happen if the weather is rainy? Before every balloon flights, we always check the local weather report for wind and rain in order to know if we can operate a safe balloon ride. If we or the pilot consider the weather is unsuitable to operate the ballooning activity in safe conditions, we will instantly cancel the flight and offer the option to reprogram it.

In flight :

Will someone brief us about the activty? Yes, before take-off, the pilot will explain all safety instruction about take off, flight and landing you need to konw. Just pay attention to this instruction and feel free to ask any question you want.

What about the vertigo sensation with height? The hot air balloon flies at a level between the trees height and a bit more than 3000 feet, accoding to the flying zone and the wind speed day of the flight. Also a good news : you won't experiment the awfull sensation of vertigo as you have no link with the ground, it sounds incredible but it is true !

How does a ballon land? Before landing, the pilot will re explain to all passengers the safety instruction, and overall the safety position for landing in order to enjoy it. According to wind speed, the landing can be "soft" or "bumpy" and always "laughy"...