FAQs

  • After you reserve your flight online, we’ll email you the day before to confirm your meeting time and location. Weather is a major factor, and if conditions aren't safe, we’ll reschedule—sometimes with short notice.

    On flight day, you’ll meet the pilot and crew for a brief safety overview and waiver review while the balloon inflates (15–30 minutes). Once ready, you’ll board and enjoy stunning views, local wildlife, and a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

  • We choose the meeting and launch site based on current wind direction and speed, which can change last minute. We aim for locations that offer a mix of city views, wildlife, and nature while avoiding busy areas like the Sioux Falls airport.

    Our landings depend entirely on the wind. We look for safe spots like low-traffic roads, open fields, or easy-access areas for our chase vehicles.

  • Flight times vary with sunrise. We meet a few minutes before sunrise for every flight.

    Sunrise offers the most stable winds and weather, ensuring safe control of the balloon’s vertical movement with minimal thermal lift.

  • Flights typically last about an hour but can range from 45 to 80 minutes, depending on weather and landing conditions. Your adventure begins roughly 15 minutes before sunrise and lasts 2–3 hours total, including the pre-flight briefing and post-flight champagne toast.

  • Dress for an outdoor adventure—layers and long pants are best. It’s often warmer in the air than on the ground, especially near the burners, so you may want to remove a layer during fall or winter flights. Wear closed-toe, flat shoes, and bring a hat, sunglasses, and a camera. Since the balloon moves with the wind, there’s little wind chill—just watch out for cold toes!

  • For safety and insurance reasons, we cannot fly pregnant passengers or children under 6. There’s no upper age limit, but all passengers must meet these physical requirements:

    • No recent surgeries or broken bones

    • Able to stand unassisted for at least 90 minutes

    • Able to climb in and out of a basket with 45-inch-tall sides

    • Able to jump down from the third step of a ladder (landings can be bumpy)


    If you’ve recently had surgery or a medical procedure—especially joint replacements—please call us to discuss whether it’s safe to fly.

    Weight Limit
    Due to equipment limitations, we cannot accommodate groups with a combined total weight over 900 pounds.

  • Ballooning is weather-dependent, and any postponement is for your safety. We recommend having a backup date in mind. If we cancel due to weather and you can't reschedule, prepaid flights are refundable—gift certificates are not.

  • If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us by phone or email at least 48 hours in advance.
    No-shows or late cancellations will be charged in full with no refunds issued.

  • Your safety is our top priority. Our balloons are inspected annually by FAA-certified repairmen and undergo regular preventative maintenance.

    All flights are flown by FAA-licensed commercial pilots and instructors who attend annual safety seminars. Our lead pilot, John, is also a member of the FAA Safety Team. Flights are always subject to pilot discretion based on wind and weather conditions.

  • You will put your foot into a slot in the side of the basket and swing your legs over the top, and then into the basket. There is no graceful way to do it but don’t worry, our crew is always available to help!

  • Balloons operate through the basic principles of gravity and heat transfer. As air inside the balloon is heated, it rises. As the air inside the balloon cools, it descends. To make the balloon fly, an inflator fan fills it with air, which is then heated.

  • Not to worry. Because you are not attached to the ground, you don’t get the same sensation as you would standing on a tall building or ladder. Most people forget about their fear very shortly after takeoff.

  • There will be a chase vehicle that follows your balloon for the entire duration of the flight. Once landed, the 605 Balloon Ride chase crew will drive us back to our original meeting point.

  • Our balloons accommodate between two and six passengers, plus the pilot.

  • The chase crew members are volunteers, family and friends who follow the balloon via radio contact and GPS tracking throughout the flight. They will meet you when you land, pack up the balloon and return you to the launch location.

  • After landing, we provide a celebratory toast and post-flight refreshments.

  • Like all service providers, a gratuity is always appreciated. A typical tip would be 20% of the total price.

  • Yes! We have banner space available on our balloons! Or we can work with you to create a custom balloon for your brand!