The Envelope. The part of the aircraft that looks like a balloon is actually called an envelope. Some pilots also affectionately refer to it as the bag. It is connected to the gondola, or basket, in which pilot and passengers ride, by means of stainless steel suspension cables.

In a hot air balloon, you do not actually "sit" in a traditional chair; instead, you stand in a hand-woven wicker basket, often called a gondola. Wicker is the material of choice because it is incredibly strong, lightweight, and—most importantly—flexible. During landing, the basket needs to absorb the shock of hitting the ground, and wicker’s ability to "give" and bend without breaking protects the passengers. In 2026, modern baskets are often reinforced with stainless steel or aluminum frames and padded with leather or suede on the railings for comfort. Larger baskets are divided into "compartments" or "T-sections" so that groups of passengers are separated from the pilot and the fuel tanks, which prevents everyone from sliding to one side and tipping the balloon during maneuvers. While some luxury balloons for two might feature a small bench for the flight portion, standard commercial balloons require passengers to remain standing for the duration of the trip (usually one hour) to maintain the correct center of gravity and safety during the ascent and descent.