FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1 hour before the planned lift-off. Take a look at 'Flight times' to know the time of the flights depending on the period.

Hot air balloons are made from nylon. The material doesn't tear due to the special weaving process it undergoes. The underside is made from incombustible Nomex. The balloon itself is made completely by hand.

When you book your flight you will be asked to pay a deposit equivalent to the value of a single booking. The balance need only be paid after the flight. This can either be in cash or via a bank transfer.

In the event that you have booked on a particular date, you will be contacted on the day itself between 1.00 and 3.00 p.m. and informed as to whether we can fly that day or not. Make sure we can reach you around 2.00 p.m.!

When weather conditions make flying impossible, we usually agree on a new date. The best thing to do is decide on a couple of future dates, just to be safe.

The best way to book is by phone on 016 35 35 35, or via e-mail, info@balloonflights.be. You can depend on a confirmation within 24 hours. Don't forget to mention your telephone number.

Because we need to tell you all that will be going on while ballooning with us. There are also bound to be questions you want to ask, such as how a balloon lands (see landing). Since a balloon is an aircraft, we also have to draw up an official passenger list before lift-off.

You can offer a balloon flight as a gift to as many people as you wish! Our gift vouchers come in an attractive box and are sent by first class post to the donor. Payment is via bank transfer.

Once back on the ground, what better way to talk about the flight than over a nice glass of champagne. Moreover, it's also a tradition, but we'll tell you about that after the flight.

We guarantee an hour's flight; the average flying time is between 60 and 80 minutes.

April (1st half): lift off around 6.30 p.m.
April (2nd half): lift off around 7.15 p.m.
May (1st half): lift off around 7.45 p.m.
May (2nd half): lift off around 8.15 p.m.
June (1st half): lift off around 8.30 p.m.
June (2nd half): lift off around 8.30 p.m.
July (1st half): lift off around 8.30 p.m.
July (2nd half): lift off around 8.15 p.m.
August (1st half): lift off around 7.45 p.m.
August (2nd half): lift off around 7.15 p.m.
September (1st half): lift off around 6.45 p.m.
September (2nd half): lift off around 5.45 p.m.
October (1st half): lift off around 5.00 p.m.
October (2nd half): lift off around 4.30 p.m.

Of course you can! But just remember that nothing beats the view through the naked eye. Before we land, we do require you to store away any photographic materials for your own safety.

Of course you can. You can either use our gift vouchers or book the flight in advance and give your lucky guest(s) the surprise of their life at the lift off site.

You don't suffer from a fear of heights in a balloon because there is no direct contact with the ground. We usually lift off very slowly so that people can acclimatize to being in the air.

The ballooning season runs from April until October. There isn't a 'best' month to fly in, since every season has its own special charm.

The sky's the limit? Not in this case! We fly with our passengers at an altitude of between 150 and 800 metres, though we have reached 1,000 metres once or twice. Theoretically, a balloon can fly as high as 10 km, though oxygen masks are already needed at 4,000 metres.

It's best to wear trainers or sturdy walking shoes. A cap or hat to protect you from the heat expelled from the burner. It's also a good idea to bring an extra sweater or fleece to wear after we've landed.

Absolutely not. Landings are for the most part very soft. And should there be a little more wind than normal, if you follow the pilot's instructions, nothing can happen.

We never know beforehand where the wind will take us, which is usually roughly 15 to 20km further away. We usually land in a field of a 'hopefully' friendly farmer!

Age doesn't matter in ballooning, and as long as you're fit and can stand for at least an hour you're more than welcome.

We've set the age limit at 7 years old. You should also be at least 1m 20 tall otherwise you'll miss the views!

There are very few instances when you shouldn't fly. One of them is when you're pregnant. It's better to wait until after the birth. However, if in any doubt, feel free to give us a call.

We can do this, but only with prior permission and staying in permanent radio contact. Zaventem is an exception and under no circumstances can one fly in that area. The same goes for the cities of Leuven and Mechelen since they lie on the flight paths to and from Brussels national airport.

Whenever you wish, but please make an appointment first!

Every month of the year has good and bad flying weather, so the summer months are not necessarily a fail-safe guarantee for perfect weather conditions. It's basically all down to luck; and should conditions not be right on the day you have booked your flight, don't worry, the next time's bound to be great!

Profballoon is the only Belgian authority that groups together professional balloonists. We have been a member of this organization for the last 9 years.

Besides assuring you that we can offer you excellent service with meticulously maintained balloons which are very safe, we also ensure short waiting times, fly in the local region (Brabant/Hageland), and boast an attractive price/quality ratio. We can also fall back on more than 5,000 satisfied customers.

Various alternatives have been tried in the past but manufacturers always return to the use of cane. Besides being extremely hardy yet pliant during landing, it also looks a lot more adventurous with its charm of yesteryear!

In the interests of everyone's safety, smoking is not permitted. You are allowed of course to smoke before and after the flight, but needless to say, at a safe distance from the basket and gas bottles.

We fly to the rhythm of the wind and more especially in the direction the wind takes. That means we're completely dependent on it as regards speed and course. However, once we have enough altitude, we're able to steer the balloon to a large extent.

On the contrary, it's warmer up there due to the heat emitted from the burner and because you don't have the sensation of wind. After the flight, especially one flown at sunset, you might want to put on an extra sweater.

We lift off an hour and a half before sunset.
An overview:
April (1st half): sunset 8.15 p.m.
April (2nd half): sunset 8.45 p.m.
May (1st half): sunset 9.15 p.m.
May (2nd half): sunset 9.45 p.m.
June (1st half): sunset 10.00 p.m.
June (2nd half): sunset 10.00 p.m.
Jule (1st half): sunset 10.00 p.m.
Jule (2nd half): sunset 9.30 p.m.
August (1st half): sunset 9.15 p.m.
August (2nd half): sunset 8.45 p.m.
September (1st half): sunset 8.15 p.m.
September (2nd half): sunset 7.15 p.m.
October (1st half): sunset 7.00 p.m.
October (2nd half): sunset 6.30 p.m.

From all the aircraft flying our skies, the balloon is reckoned to be the safest! Let's hope that this will be our best publicity for years to come.

You always can bring them, but it's so much nicer to take in the wonderful views and scenery with the naked eye! The altitude that we fly at gives you a very clear and detailed view of everything below, even without binoculars.

We ensure that you are returned safely to the lift-off site. There's no need to make any arrangements for this. Friends and family are of course more than welcome and can follow the flight in their vehicles if they wish.

Firstly, there isn't that closed-in feeling associated with aircraft, so people with a fear of flying are quite at ease in a balloon. Secondly, you have a 360° view all around you which you'll never get in any other aircraft!

Avaibel insures us according to the strictest European norms.

Flemish and Walloon Brabant, depending on the wind direction. The region of east Brabant, Hageland, is especially attractive with its rolling fields, picturesque villages and extensive orchards. You'll be flying in your own region with people from the region!

Depending on your wishes (period and location) we do everything in our power to ensure you have your flight as soon as possible. The more flexible you are, the quicker we'll get you in the air! Bad weather is the same for all of us, so patience is required during a wet spell.

Calm weather, sunny or cloudy, no rain or showers, good visibility.

When the possibility of flying is less than 70%. This can be caused by too much wind that doesn't die down in the evening, fronts with showers, rain or bad visibility (less than 8km). In the event you have no other choice but to cancel your flight, please inform us at least 48 hours in advance!