How to Prepare for Your First Hot Air Balloon Ride

May 4, 2026

Key Takeaways

• What to expect – You’ll check in at the meet-up location before being transported to the launch site for an interactive setup process and a smooth 45- to 60-minute ride, followed by a post-flight celebration and a shuttle back.
• How to prepare – Book the first available day of your trip to allow flexibility in case of weather-related changes, bring only small, well-secured personal items like a phone and sunglasses, and wear layers with closed-toe shoes.
• Why preparation is important – Feeling confident and prepared before your first flight can reduce uncertainty and enhance comfort, helping you fully enjoy this bucket-list experience.

Setting the Right Expectations

If you are wondering what to expect on your first hot air balloon ride, it helps to think of it as a peaceful, floating journey rather than an adrenaline-driven activity, though it still brings a strong sense of adventure and fun. 

There are no roller-coaster-like sudden drops or airplane-esque turbulence while airborne because steering hot air balloons involves gently moving with the wind rather than fighting against it. As a result, many first-time riders are surprised by how serene the experience is—no one needs a jumpsuit, harness, or even a seatbelt to partake in this well-controlled, relaxing form of flight.

Even though the experience is calm and straightforward, it still takes some preparation to ensure the ride is as safe and comfortable as possible. Being intentional by wearing comfortable, layered clothing with closed-toe shoes and bringing a well-secured phone or camera to snap pictures can go a long way.

The guide below will teach you how to prepare for a hot air balloon ride so you get the most out of your experience.

Start By Booking Your Hot Air Balloon Ride

First things first, you need to schedule your flight. With Rainbow Ryders, there are plenty of locations and time slots to choose from, no matter if you prefer sunrise or sunset hot air balloon rides. 

Rainbow Ryders offers sunrise balloon flights every day, year-round in Albuquerque and Phoenix, and from June to September in Colorado Springs and Park City. We also offer sunset hot air balloon rides in Albuquerque from November through January and in Phoenix from November through March.

As you hone in on what time works best for crossing this awesome experience off your bucket list, work through the steps below to build confidence and ensure you are adequately prepared.

Keep Your Schedule Flexible for Weather-Fueled Changes

Hot air ballooning is a weather-dependent activity, which is why flights are usually scheduled at sunrise or sunset when winds are often the most stable. However, even with this precaution, conditions may end up being less than ideal.

Leading up to each scheduled flight, Rainbow Ryders regularly checks to ensure the weather will be good for hot air ballooning. This in-depth monitoring essentially never stops. Our team carefully factors in every detail, from how safe the wind speed is to the potential for rain. 

If conditions are not suitable, flights may be delayed or rescheduled. While we understand this can be inconvenient, it is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience each and every time we fly. Therefore, passengers should book their flight for the first available day of their trip to allow for flexibility in case rescheduling is required.

Ensure You Satisfy Flight Requirements

Each commercial hot air balloon operator has specific requirements that passengers must meet in order to fly. In addition to having everyone sign a release form, some rules that Rainbow Ryders upholds to ensure safety and compliance with insurance requirements are:

1. Passengers must be at least 5 years old and in good health
2. Passengers below the age of 18 must have parental permission
3. Anyone pregnant or possibly pregnant cannot fly in our hot air balloons
4. Passengers must be able to stand for one hour unassisted, since walkers and wheelchairs cannot come on board
5. Passengers must be able to swing their legs up and over the side of the basket to get in, which may feel similar to mounting a horse
6. To exit the basket, passengers must be comfortable jumping from the height of a standard dining room chair to the ground 

Even if an individual meets the requirements mentioned above, the ride operator still has the final say on whether they can fly. Again, our goal is to ensure safety and an enjoyable experience for all passengers, so that is the lens through which we view all decisions.

Understand What the Experience Actually Looks Like

After you have double-checked that you meet the flight requirements and have booked your time slot with room for flexibility, you should learn exactly what to expect on your first hot air balloon ride. Understanding the full timeline reduces uncertainty and helps set realistic expectations. 

Usually, a hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders follows these six stages:

1. Arrival – Check in with your pilot and crew at one of our meet-up locations before getting transported to the launch site.
2. Set up – Passengers are invited to help our hot air ballooning professionals set up, or they can simply watch in awe as the balloon is laid out and inflated.
3. Boarding and takeoff – As you climb into the hot air balloon basket and begin to lift off, you’ll notice that the temperature in the sky mimics ground-level temperatures because you move with the wind.
4. Flight – Most of our flights last about 45–60 minutes, giving you ample time to enjoy a smooth, scenic ride and snap once-in-a-lifetime photos.
5. Landing and post-flight celebration – After you gently descend and exit the basket, you’ll make a celebratory toast and take photos before shuttling back to the meet-up location.

For most prospective passengers, seeing this process step by step helps make the experience feel much more approachable and gives them an idea of what to bring.

Know What to Wear and What to Bring

Knowing how to dress and what accessories to bring is essential to preparing for a hot air balloon ride. Start by reviewing the weather and predicting how it may change.

Understand How Weather Impacts Comfort

Since flights typically take place at sunrise or sunset, temperatures can fluctuate as time elapses. For example, during sunrise flights, the air may be cooler at launch but then warm up quickly as the sun rises. Nevertheless, there isn’t much of a wind chill, since the hot air balloon moves with the wind.

During the winter, the hot air balloon’s burners will help keep you warm—think of them as a fireplace. The coldest parts of your body will likely be your fingers and toes, so please plan accordingly. During the summer, flights often conclude before the day’s peak heat, but please plan to stay hydrated as the sun comes up. 

Dress in Comfortable and Safe Clothes

Your clothing should reflect the fluctuating weather conditions mentioned above. Use the table below as a reference guide for what you should wear.

Item	Recommendation	Why It Matters
Tops	Light layers, like a jacket or hoodie	Makes it easier to quickly adjust to changing temperatures
Bottoms	Comfortable pants or shorts, depending on the weather	Facilitates movement, which is especially important during boarding and landing
Shoes	Closed-toe, flat shoes	Provides stability on uneven terrain and protects your toes while in close quarters
Accessories	Only bring small items that can be secured to the body	Prevents objects from moving around during landing or being lost during flight

 

Rainbow Ryders sells fun, branded clothing that is great for layering and for getting into the hot air ballooning spirit. Many people buy items like this as post-flight souvenirs, but you could always purchase our flight gear in advance if you want to take your pictures and comfort level up a notch.

Learn What Accessories Are Acceptable

Space in the basket is limited, so packing light is important. The two tables below will give you a good idea of what you can bring on a hot air balloon ride and what should stay back.

Allowed Items	Guidelines
Phone or camera	Keep secured with a strap or a firm grip
Sunglasses (especially useful for morning flights)	Consider strapping them behind your head to avoid losing them
Small personal items	Must fit in pockets or small pouches

 

Restricted Items	Reason
Large bags or backpacks (the size is up to the pilot’s discretion)	Limited space in the basket
Walkers and wheelchairs	Limited space and no entry door
Loose objects	Risk of dropping during flight
Tripods or bulky gear	Safety and mobility concerns

 

Keeping your hands free and your belongings secure allows you to focus on the experience without distractions.

Physically Prepare Before You Go

Physically preparing for a hot air balloon flight does not require anything extreme, but a few simple steps can make a noticeable difference. The most noteworthy example is staying hydrated, starting the day or two before your flight, especially if you are flying in a desert climate.

Some other ways to physically prepare include getting a full night’s rest before early-morning flights so you can enjoy the experience as much as possible and eating a light meal beforehand to avoid flying on an empty stomach—even though Rainbow Ryders does offer post-flight refreshments and snacks.

Address Your Concerns In Advance

If you are concerned about motion sickness, keep in mind that this is usually not an issue since there is no rocking sensation like on a boat. People with a fear of heights may also be pleasantly surprised because of how stable the hot air balloon basket feels and the fact that it doesn’t visually look like you are moving fast.

Since our inception in 1983, Rainbow Ryders has maintained an impressively strong safety record, thanks to our experienced pilots and well-established flight procedures. Still, we are happy to help put first-time riders at ease. If you still have questions about hot air balloon safety or other aspects of flight, check out our frequently asked questions or contact our team to get the clarity you are looking for.

Choose Rainbow Ryders to Ride With Confidence

Wearing layers, arriving well-rested, and following the other preparation tips mentioned above are sure to enhance your overall experience. Essentially, all you have to focus on is comfort and ensuring the minimal belongings you bring are well-secured—Rainbow Ryders will take care of everything else.

Our experienced pilots will handle the logistics and safety checks in coordination with our support crew so you can focus on the view and the special moment at hand. So, leave your worries on the ground and fly away on this special experience.

If you have been considering your first flight, now is the time. Book a ride in one of our four locations today!