Key Takeaways
- How to do it – Use the foothold or opening in the side of the basket, swing your legs over the edge, and step down inside.
- What it feels like – Mounting a horse is commonly compared to getting into a hot air balloon basket, as both actions require similar leg-swinging motions.
- What is required – Passengers should be able to stand independently and safely manage the basic movements needed to enter and exit the basket, although crew members can provide guidance and additional assistance.
Getting Into the Basket Is Simpler Than It Looks
Many people preparing for their first ride wonder how to get into a hot air balloon basket, as this unique type of aircraft doesn’t usually have doors or ladders attached to it. Fortunately, boarding is generally much simpler than you might imagine.
Passenger-carrying hot air balloon baskets are almost always designed with openings or footholds on the side that you can use to get in. You’ll simply climb up a short distance, then swing your legs over the edge and step down into the basket.
The exact boarding movement can vary somewhat depending on the basket and the individual passenger, but don’t worry, you are not expected to figure out how to get into a hot air balloon on your own. Your pilot and ground crew will be nearby to provide instructions and help you move into position safely.
Still, the guide below can help you familiarize yourself with the physical expectations involved in getting into a hot air balloon basket so you can tailor your expectations. However, before diving into those details, it is important to know what steps lead up to boarding.
What Happens Before Passengers Board?
If you are riding with Rainbow Ryders, you will start your journey at one of our meetup locations in the Southwestern United States, where you will meet your flight crew before being driven to the more remote launch location. You’ll have a chance to ask questions during check-in and throughout the entire flight process—our pilots are always eager to share their knowledge and passion for flight with our passengers.
When you arrive at the launch site in the Rainbow Ryders vehicle, it will be time for the flight crew to prepare the balloon and equipment for takeoff. Then, they will explain exactly how to get into a hot air balloon based on the basket’s specific design and individualized factors.
How the Balloon Is Prepared at the Launch Site
The process begins with the various balloon parts being positioned on the ground. Ground crew members work around the envelope as it is laid out and connected to the basket. The pilot and crew then begin the inflation process, using large fans to fill the envelope with air before the burners heat the air inside, causing it to rise.
It can be magical to see the balloon take shape; passengers can watch the preparation from a designated area, or they can participate, temporarily joining our flight team for a few fun setup tasks.
Once the balloon is properly stood up and the pilot determines that it is time to board, the crew will gather passengers and provide instructions on how to enter the basket.
Can Anyone Get Into a Hot Air Balloon Basket?
Most adult passengers can board a hot air balloon without difficulty, but there are physical requirements passengers should consider. Getting into and out of the basket involves movements that may be challenging for some passengers, particularly those with significant mobility limitations.
Requirements to Fly
As a general rule, passengers should be able to stand unassisted for one hour and manage the basic movement of swinging their legs over the basket’s edge and stepping down into the basket, meaning sufficient balance, flexibility, and leg strength are key.
Other physical requirements for flying with Rainbow Ryders include:
- Passengers must be 5 years old or older and in good health
- Passengers cannot be or potentially be pregnant
- Walkers and wheelchairs cannot come on board due to the basket’s size
- Passengers must be physically able to jump from the height of a standard dining room chair to the ground to exit the basket
Even though the requirements above are firm, crew members can provide instructions and additional support when appropriate to make our aircraft as accessible as possible.
Are You Worried You Won’t Be Able to Enter a Hot Air Balloon Basket?
It is better to discuss concerns ahead of time than to discover at the launch site that boarding or exiting may be difficult. So, if you are worried about flexibility, balance, strength, a recent injury, or another mobility issue, you should contact Rainbow Ryders before your scheduled flight. Our team can help you understand what to expect on your hot air balloon ride and determine whether the experience is appropriate for you based on your specific circumstances.
How the Crew Helps During Boarding
Before passengers enter, crew members help organize the group and explain where each person should board. If needed, they can point out the footholds and openings in the basket and provide step-by-step directions as passengers enter.
What If Additional Support Is Needed?
Crew members may use a step stool or provide physical assistance when passengers need additional support. The goal is to make boarding orderly and safe while helping passengers understand the movement before they make it.
If you are nervous about how to get into a hot air balloon basket, remember that the people assisting you have ample experience with this process. You will receive directions before and during boarding, and you can ask questions if you are unsure about where to step or how to position yourself.
How Boarding Actually Works
As your flight crew will explain, boarding involves stepping into the holes in the side of the basket, then swinging your legs over the edge and stepping down inside. It is somewhat like mounting a horse, but instead of stepping into a saddle’s stirrup and pulling yourself up, you put your foot in the basket’s footholds. Still, the swinging of the legs will feel very similar.
Although Rainbow Ryders never wants to rush passengers on their peaceful adventure into the sky, boarding often needs to be efficient because the balloon is actively being prepared for flight, and changing weather conditions can affect ballooning. Following the flight crew’s instructions helps everyone get into position without unnecessary delays.
How Do You Get Out of a Hot Air Balloon Basket?
Getting out of a hot air balloon basket is essentially a mirrored version of boarding. Chances are, you’ll step into the footholds and swing your legs over in the same way, but this time you’ll be jumping onto the ground from roughly the height of a standard dining room chair.
Nevertheless, there may be some nuances depending on the landing conditions and the specific basket you are in, so yield to your crew’s specific instructions. After the balloon touches down, remain in the basket until the pilot and crew determine that it is safe to exit, as it is important for them to stabilize and manage the basket while passengers prepare to leave.
Does Exiting Feel Different Than Boarding?
Although both are guided movements, getting out of a hot air balloon basket can feel somewhat different from boarding because you are moving from a slightly elevated basket toward the ground. Passengers should avoid trying to rush out or climb over the basket wherever they choose—wait for the crew’s instructions and follow their direction to ensure the conclusion of your hot air balloon ride is safe.
How Expectations Compare to Reality
In person, the basket itself may feel different from what you pictured. Rather than being a conventional enclosed container with a door, a hot air balloon basket is open at the top and has designated areas for passengers to enter and exit. You may initially wonder where to step, but the crew will show you.
For first-time riders, the process can seem more complicated when you imagine it ahead of time than it actually feels when you are standing beside the basket. Once you receive instructions and see where the foothold is located, the movement becomes much easier to understand.
After boarding is complete, the part you have been waiting for begins. You can settle into the basket, look out across the landscape, and have an unforgettable experience with your family, partner, or friends.
A Smooth Start to Your Balloon Ride
Knowing how to get into a hot air balloon basket before your flight can remove one of the biggest unknowns for first-time passengers. There is no complicated ladder-climbing routine. Instead, you will use the basket’s designated foothold or opening, swing your legs over the edge, and step down inside with the crew nearby to guide you.
The most important consideration is whether you can safely manage the basic movements required to board and exit. If you have mobility concerns or are unsure whether you can meet the physical requirements, reach out to Rainbow Ryders before your flight so our team can discuss your situation with you.
Otherwise, you can simply book a hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders in one of the four southwestern states we operate in and let the crew guide you from the launch site to the sky.
