Are hot air balloons safer than skydiving?

The FAA's Aviation Accident Database considers hot air balloons the safest air-based travel. Hot air balloons are much safer than planes or skydiving as they rarely get into accidents.



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Luckily, no one was hurt. And, fortunately, hot air balloon accidents are rare. Going back to 1964, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has only recorded a total of 775 such accidents in the United States.

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Hot air balloons are generally considered safe, with decades of data showing that they are one of the safest forms of air travel. According to the FAA's Aviation Accident Database, hot air ballooning is the safest form of all air travel and is rarely involved in aviation crashes.

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You should not have recently undergone any surgeries. You should not fly if you have back or leg problems. You cannot fly if you have a cast on. You cannot fly if you are on oxygen.

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The majority of hot air balloons do not have built-in seating, nor can they allow portable seats for safety reasons. So you, unfortunately, will not be able to sit down during a hot air balloon ride. But railings are available, and your pilot will cover any of your additional safety concerns.

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The amount of time a hot air balloon can stay in the air is determined by several factors including the size of the balloon, the weather conditions, and the amount of fuel onboard. Smaller balloons can stay in the air for up to two hours, while larger balloons may stay aloft for four hours or more.

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If a hot air balloon runs out of gas, it'll slowly begin descending. That's because the balloon only generates lift through burning fuel to heat the air in the envelope. The lack of regular heating leads the air inside the balloon to gradually cool, reducing altitude in the process.

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The good news is that it does not effect you when flying in a hot air balloon, with almost everyone finding hot air ballooning peaceful and relaxing. Even folks who have some apprehension before the flight find themselves quickly giving up their grip on the handles shortly after take off.

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1. 2013 Luxor Hot Air Balloon Crash. The most horrific hot air balloon disaster ever occurred on February 26, 2013, near Luxor, Egypt. Hot air balloon rides are extremely popular among tourists visiting Egypt as the rides provide an aerial view of the magical landscape of the country.

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Dangers of Hot Air Balloons
  • Bad Weather. Bad weather, especially high winds and monsoons, can be extremely dangerous for hot air balloons. ...
  • Collisions. ...
  • Pilot Inexperience. ...
  • Dress Appropriately. ...
  • Always Listen to Your Pilot. ...
  • Brace for Landing.


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And when it's really hot out, the heat needed to take off and fly can even damage the balloon. “We start to cancel flights if we believe it's going to be 95 degrees or hotter at flight time,” Jones says. Two years ago, a heat wave forced all the balloons to stay grounded during a Michigan festival.

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The majority of hot air balloons do not have built-in seating, nor can they allow portable seats for safety reasons. So you, unfortunately, will not be able to sit down during a hot air balloon ride. But railings are available, and your pilot will cover any of your additional safety concerns.

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Should we tip our balloon pilot and chase crew? Like all service providers, a gratuity is always appreciated. A typical tip would be 10-20% of the total price.

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Per FAA regulations, passengers clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol cannot and will not be flown. Refunds will not be given for those who arrive in such a state. Please do not bring alcoholic drinks on board and please for your safety and enjoyment do not drink alcohol prior to your flight.

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Can A Hot Air Balloon Fly In The Rain? Although fixed-wing aircraft can fly in the rain, hot air balloons don't typically fly in the rain. The rain isn't great for the hot air balloon fabric, and the weather associated with rain isn't safe to fly balloons in.

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