How many persons can go up in a balloon ? The most common model can welcome 1 pilot and 2 passengers. But the ones made for group flights have a bigger capacity: between 4 and 10 passengers. More than 32 passengers can fly in the biggest hot-air balloons ever made !

The capacity of a hot air balloon depends entirely on the size of the envelope (the balloon part) and the basket, typically ranging from 2 to 30 people. For private, romantic flights, small "2-passenger" balloons are common. Most "standard" commercial sightseeing balloons—such as those found in Cappadocia, Turkey, or the Napa Valley—feature large, compartmentalized baskets that comfortably hold 12 to 20 passengers plus the pilot. In some of the world's largest commercial balloons, baskets can hold up to 32 people, though these are rare and used only in the busiest tourist hubs. The weight limit is strictly calculated by the pilot before every flight, taking into account the ambient air temperature and the weight of the fuel tanks, as the balloon's lifting power decreases in hotter weather. Regardless of the size, the basket is divided into sections so that the weight is evenly distributed and passengers have a clear view over the edge without being crowded in the center.