FAQS

Hot Air Balloon Rides Napa Valley

WELCOME TO OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE

This page will give you an opportunity to learn more about what to expect during your hot air balloon Napa Valley adventure. Below is a compilation of questions we get asked all the time by our hot air balloon ride passengers. If you wish to obtain additional details, please contact us.

On most days, we launch from the historic grounds of the V Marketplace, Vintage 1870, in the heart of Yountville–a quaint rural village near the mid-point of the Napa Valley. As we rise above the valley floor, panoramic views open up of the Napa Valley Wine-growing region. To the north is the majestic Mt. St. Helena, to the west is the Mayacamas Mt. Range, and to the east is the sculptured terrain of the Vaca Range. With favorable winds aloft the balloons can climb to higher altitudes where we may catch a glimpse of the San Francisco skyline and even the majestic Sierras to the east. On Foggy mornings in Yountville, we have exclusive launch options located in northern Napa in the area of Pope Valley, a rural and relaxing escape.

Because there are so many variables in ballooning, we can only give you an estimate of how much time you want to plan on spending with us. Generally, not counting any shuttle service we provide from your lodging, you should count on being with us for about 3-½ to 4 hours. This includes check-in, balloon inflation, the flight, pack-up, transportation back from the landing site, and a leisurely sit-down breakfast served in a restaurant setting in Yountville. We hope that our passengers will be able to set aside enough time to fully enjoy the magnificent experience of ballooning without feeling rushed.

Napa hot air balloon rides (and pretty much all of Northern California) are always an early morning sport. We launch just after dawn when the winds are at their calmest and the temperatures are the coolest. We hope that the lovely light of the early morning and the special sounds that can only be heard before the rest of the world is awake make it worth it for our passengers to join us on this early morning adventure.

Napa hot air balloon rides (and pretty much all of Northern California) are always an early morning sport. We launch just after dawn when the winds are at their calmest and the temperatures are the coolest. We hope that the lovely light of the early morning and the special sounds that can only be heard before the rest of the world is awake make it worth it for our passengers to join us on this early morning adventure. Napa Valley’s ground floor is the primary launch area for all hot air balloon companies. Fog (40% of mornings fog June – September months *2019) forces hot air balloon companies to launch outside of Napa Valley because of low visibility making flying unsafe. However, Napa Valley Aloft has exclusive rights to a viable alternate flight corridor in Napa Valley’s wine region Pope Valley, located Northeast of St. Helena. Pope Valley experiences a low percentage of fog because of its high elevation on the eastern base of Howell Mountain. Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides offers a beautiful flight launching from the Kimball Ranch.

You won't be able to find hot air balloon rides directly in San Francisco due to the city's dense urban landscape, unpredictable weather conditions, and air traffic restrictions. Your best option is to drive up to Napa Valley, a part of the bay area that can provide exceptional hot air balloon tours. But you can see San Francisco during your flight on clear days.

Yes. Our pilots are all FAA certified and our equipment is inspected regularly at FAA designated repair stations. Our insurance meets the requirements of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for passenger travel in our ground vehicles is PUC-certified as required by law. We belong to several voluntary organizations which set standards for ballooning, including the Balloon Federation of America and the Professional Balloon Pilots Association of Napa County.

San Francisco Bay Area is famous for its fog which occasionally moves into the Sonoma and Napa Valley. This early morning phenomenon coincides with the optimal time that balloons need to fly. We will make every effort to fly from Yountville, but it is also possible to drive 20 miles away to our other beautiful flight corridor in northern Napa, Pope Valley wine-growing area.

The altitude will vary during the flight and depends on the wind conditions that day, average altitudes in our area are between 1,000 and 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Some of the flights may be at the treetop level. The pilots are skilled at providing you with a wonderful experience. Flights typically last about one hour but may last from 45 minutes to 1 hour. Pilots must take into account the wind speed, direction, and availability of landing sites. Each flight is unique.

Ballooning is a fun activity for people of almost any age. There are some individuals for whom ballooning isn’t appropriate and will be recommended not to fly: pregnant women, infants, or young children (less than six years of age) who are not tall enough (at least 48″) to see over the side of the basket, individuals who have done a recent deep scuba dive, and people suffering from chronic pain or have had recent major surgery. Passengers who are unable to stand during the entire flight (45 minutes – 1 hour) and walk on uneven ground to the transportation shuttles. Passengers must be able to adopt the bended knee seated landing position, have upper-body strength and flexibility to climb in and out of the baskets.

If you have a medical condition that could cause discomfort or be aggravated during the flight or have been advised to restrict your activity because of a medical condition, please consult your physician in advance and a medical doctor’s release will be required. Under the Federal Aviation Administration, all hot air balloon pilots have the duty of care for all passengers and can decide ultimately if someone is safely able to participate in the flight even with a doctor’s note. The final decision will be made on the morning of the flight. For additional questions, please contact our office at (707) 944-4400.  Ballooning is best appreciated by those who have a sense of adventure.

Wear casual clothing, preferably in layers so that you can adjust to the warming temperatures as the morning progresses. Ladies are most comfortable in trousers, because of the need to climb in and out of the basket. Flat-heeled, closed-toe shoes are recommended. Some people like to wear a light hat or a ball cap. Sunglasses or binoculars are optional, but cameras are a must so that you can take amazing hot air balloon photos.

Napa Valley Aloft is fully committed to the safety of our passengers and employees. Our pilots are all FAA certified and have over 100 years and 20Khours of combined experience. Our equipment is inspected regularly at FAA-designated repair stations.

We have a Professional Rides Operation(PRO) credit reflecting our impeccable piloting and decision-making. All PRO Operators are fully licensed and insured. We belong to several voluntary organizations which set standards for ballooning, including the Balloon Federation of America and the Professional Balloon Pilots Association of Napa County.

Read more about our safety measures here.

We recommend calling at least 1-2 weeks in advance; weekends, holidays, and the months of August, September, and October are generally the busiest. However, we can usually accommodate a limited number of last-minute reservations, so don’t hesitate to give us a call even if it is the day before.

Reservations can be made through our online booking system or by calling us at (855) 944-4408 and our friendly reservations team will assist you. You may use Visa, American Express, MasterCard, or Discover to reserve your space.

We collect a deposit at the of the booking, we charge the remaining balance on the day of the flight upon departure. If you need to make arrangements to pay with a different payment method, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. We require 48-hours’ notice for cancellation or schedule changes for the shared adventure experience. For exclusive balloon reservations, we require a 10-day notice for cancellation or schedule changes. For any groups of 10 or more, we require a 10- day’s notice for cancellation or final changes. No shows, late arrivals, or passenger cancellation within 48 hours of the flight check-in time will be charged the full fare of the entire booking to the credit card provided. To cancel or reschedule, please contact our office via phone at (707) 944-4400 or by email at ballooning@nvaloft.com.

*If the flight is canceled due to unsafe weather conditions or other safety issues, you will Not be charged. Any deposit paid will be fully refunded.

We provide complimentary shuttle service to our Napa Valley hot air balloon passengers who are staying in the immediate Yountville area.

Shuttle service is also offered from select Napa, Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena for a fee of $10 per person. Please let us know when booking your reservation if you will require this service.

Participating hotels in Napa, Oakville, Rutherford, and St Helena:

  • Embassy Suites
  • Andaz
  • Westin Napa
  • Silverado Resort
  • Best Western Elm & Ivy
  • SENZA Hotel
  • Hotel Indigo
  • Napa River Inn
  • River Terrace Inn
  • Meritage Resort / Vino Bello
  • Marriott Napa Valley
  • Archer Hotel
  • Hilton Garden Inn
  • Hampton Inn
  • Napa Winery Inn
  • Auberge du Soleil

Terms & Conditions

Advance reservations are required.

Cancellations
Once your reservation has been made, 48-hour notice is required for schedule changes for our shared experience reservations. we require a 10-day notice for all exclusive reservations. No-shows and flights canceled with less than a 48-hour or 10- days notice will be considered flown, and forms of payment will be charged as such. Flights are weather permitting and subject to cancellation by pilot decision. Should this happen, you will be rescheduled for the next available flight convenient for you. Please be sure to plan for the possibility of a weather cancellation when you make your plans; a backup date is strongly advised. Weather cancellations are not charged.

Cancellation and Expiration of Gift Certificates
Once your reservation has been made, 48-hour notice is required for schedule changes. No-shows and flights canceled with less than a 48-hour notice will be considered flown. The gift certificate is transferable but is non-refundable. Napa Valley Aloft must be notified of the name of the new recipient at the time of transfer. Flights are weather permitting and subject to cancellation by pilot decision. Should this happen, you will be rescheduled for the next available flight convenient for you. Please be sure to plan for the possibility of a weather cancellation when you make your plans; a backup date is strongly advised. Weather cancellations are not charged.

Miscellaneous Terms and Conditions
There are some individuals for whom ballooning isn’t appropriate, and will be encouraged not to fly: infants, young children less than six years of age and under 48″ tall, pregnant women, individuals who have done a recent deep scuba dive, and people suffering from chronic pain or have had recent major surgery. The baskets do not have doors and a certain amount of flexibility and upper body strength is required for getting in and out of the basket. Passengers who are unable to stand during the entire flight (45 minutes- 1 hour) and walk on uneven ground to the transportation shuttles. If you have a medical condition that could cause discomfort or be aggravated during the flight or have been advised to restrict your activity because of a medical condition, please consult your physician in advance. Ballooning is best appreciated by those who have a sense of adventure.

Gift Certificates are good for a balloon flight (or flights). Advance reservations are required. To complete your reservation please call our office or book online at nvaloft.com and have your gift certificate reference number ready. Please be advised that Gift Certificates are non-refundable, transferable, and never expires. The monetary value of the gift certificate is not lost due to weather cancellations.