For the sake of safety, there are some restrictions for children when flying by balloon. They can be no younger than seven and those under the age of 16 must always be accompanied by an adult responsible for them during the flight. Height also plays a part in deciding whether children can fly.

Most commercial hot air balloon operators do not have a strict "upper" age limit, but they do have minimum age and height requirements for children. Generally, children must be at least 5 to 7 years old and tall enough to see over the edge of the basket (usually around 42 to 48 inches). This is for safety reasons, as children need to be able to follow instructions and adopt the "landing position" (knees slightly bent). For seniors, the primary concern is physical mobility; passengers must be able to climb into the basket (which usually doesn't have a door) and stand for the duration of the 60-minute flight. If a passenger has a heart condition, severe back or neck issues, or has recently had surgery, they are usually advised not to fly. While age itself isn't the barrier, pregnancy is a universal "no" for hot air ballooning due to the potential for a bumpy landing. Always check with the specific operator, as some may require a doctor’s note for those over a certain age.