The single most important thing you should know about flying with The Lake Geneva Balloon Company is that we will never compromise your safety.

Hot air ballooning is one of the most weather-dependent forms of aviation. Because of that, weather cancellations are a normal part of ballooning in the Midwest. While some guests fly on their first scheduled date, others may experience multiple cancellations before conditions align for a safe and enjoyable flight.

We understand that rescheduling can be disappointing, especially when you’re excited to fly. That’s why we work hard to communicate clearly, provide as much notice as possible, and make the rescheduling process easy and convenient.

When you book a balloon flight with us, you’re placing your trust in our judgment. That means if conditions are not right, we won’t fly. It’s a commitment we’ve made for more than 24 years and over 1,500 flights.

The reward for your patience is an extraordinary experience conducted under the safest conditions possible.

Yes, we do! An educated consumer is our best guest. Many of our guests have no idea what to expect for their balloon flight adventure and they have a lot of questions.

Our Customer Care Guide is an extensive look at all the information you need to understand and plan for your balloon flight with us.
You can download a copy of our Customer Care Guide here:

CUSTOMER CARE GUIDE DOWNLOAD

CHOOSE YOUR FLIGHT EXPERIENCE

Shared Flight Experience

$380 Per Person (50% down payment required)

Enjoy approximately one hour of flight time as you drift peacefully above the beautiful Geneva Lakes area. You’ll share the adventure with fellow guests in one of our spacious balloons, which accommodate between 4 and 10 passengers.

Your experience also includes:

• Approximately one hour of flight time

• A professional pilot with decades of experience

• Spectacular views of the Geneva Lakes region • Complimentary access to flight videos and photos

• Participation in our traditional post-flight toast with non-alcoholic beverages • A personalized Flight Completion Certificate

suitable for framing

Premium Private Flight for Two
(Premium Private Flights are not currently available. We anticipate offering this experience again in 2027)

$1,200 Per Couple (50% down payment required)

Create memories that will last a lifetime with an exclusive balloon flight designed for two. You’ll enjoy approximately one hour of flight time above the Geneva Lakes area with only your pilot accompanying you in the basket, creating a truly private and intimate ballooning experience.

Your experience also includes:

• Approximately one hour of private flight time

• Exclusive use of the balloon basket for you and your guest

• A professional pilot with decades of experience • Complimentary access to flight videos and photos

• Participation in our traditional post-flight toast with non-alcoholic beverages

• Personalized Flight Completion Certificates suitable for framing

To reserve a flight, we require a 50% down payment at the time of booking. Reservations may be made online or by calling our office at (262) 206-3975.

The remaining balance is due after your flight and post-flight celebration. We ask that all guests be prepared to settle their balance before departing.

We accept most major credit cards for online and telephone reservations. For your final payment, we accept:

• Major credit cards
• Cash
• Checks payable to The Lake Geneva Balloon Company

If you have any questions about payment or booking, please contact our office and we’ll be happy to assist you.

We want every guest to understand that hot air ballooning is a weather-dependent activity. Before you make a reservation, we’ll explain that it is common for flights in the Midwest to be canceled and rescheduled multiple times before conditions align for a safe flight.

For many guests, this flexibility is simply part of the adventure. However, we also understand that some people have demanding schedules, travel long distances, or find repeated weather cancellations frustrating and disappointing.

If, after purchasing a flight certificate, you determine that the scheduling flexibility required for ballooning is not a good fit for your circumstances, we will gladly refund your down payment within 30 days of purchase.

In addition, guests who reside more than two hours from Lake Geneva may request a refund of their deposit if repeated weather cancellations make it impractical to continue rescheduling.

After 30 days, refunds are at the discretion of management and are subject to a $50 charge to cover company expenses for your booking.

Our goal is not simply to sell balloon flights. Our goal is to ensure that every guest understands the realities of weather-dependent flight and is comfortable with the process before committing to the experience.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Most flights fill several weeks in advance, especially on weekends during our busiest months

A 50% deposit is required to reserve a flight date. We allow one active reservation per certificate at a time. The remaining balance is due upon arrival for your flight.

We offer two ways to secure your reservation:

Online Booking

You can book online through our website by clicking the “BOOK YOUR FLIGHT” button in the upper right hand corner of any page on the website. 

Calling The Office

You can also call the office to book your flight at (262) 206-3975 during our office hours. Our office hours are Monday – Friday 10 am to 4 pm.

If having a refundable reservation is important to you, we recommend scheduling your flight within our 30-day refund window.

Keep in mind that our flight schedule, especially on weekends and during peak season, often fills several weeks in advance. As a result, guests who wait until the last minute to schedule may find that their preferred dates are no longer available.

Please also note that guests who have experienced weather-related cancellations are given priority when rescheduling, which can further limit availability on popular dates.

If flexibility and refundability are important considerations, we encourage you to contact our office early so we can discuss the best options for your situation.

Not necessarily.

Our online calendar does not always display every available flight date. To provide the best experience for our guests, we often focus on filling existing flights before opening additional dates.

If you don’t see the date you’re looking for, please give us a call at (262) 206-3975. We may have additional availability that is not currently shown online, and we’re happy to help find a flight that works for your schedule.

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your reservation, please contact us at least 72 hours before your scheduled flight.

Advance notice allows us the opportunity to offer your seat to another guest and keep our flights operating efficiently.

Guests who do not arrive for their scheduled flight and do not contact us in advance will be considered a no-show and will forfeit their reservation and deposit.

Unlike with most balloon ride companies, active balloon flight purchases with The Lake Geneva Balloon Company never expire.

An active balloon flight purchase is one for which at least one reservation in the past 12 months has been made.

Balloon flight purchases that haven’t had a reservation made in the past 12 months are considered “inactive” and will be honored only at the discretion of management.

Yes. All Lake Geneva Balloon Company purchases are fully transferable.

If you decide to give your balloon flight as a gift or transfer it to another person, the new certificate holder may use it just as if they had purchased it themselves.

We simply ask that the recipient contact our office so we can update our records and register the certificate in their name before scheduling a flight.

For booking purposes, the bearer of the certificate is considered the authorized owner of the reservation.

Yes. All passengers are required to read, complete, and electronically sign the Assumption of Risk, Medical Statement, and Media Release at least 24 hours before their scheduled flight.

There is no need to print or bring a copy with you. Once submitted, your forms are stored digitally and will be available to our staff on the day of your flight.

To avoid delays or complications with your reservation, please complete all required paperwork as soon as possible after booking.

Because hot air ballooning is highly dependent on weather conditions, we make a final “meet” or “no meet” decision before you travel to Lake Geneva whenever possible.

Our goal is to minimize unnecessary travel while ensuring that we have the most accurate weather information available before making a flight decision.

Sunrise Flights

For morning flights, your pilot will contact you at approximately 7:00 p.m. the evening before your scheduled flight. During this call, we will review the forecast and confirm your wake-up and meeting times.

Sunset Flights

For afternoon flights, your pilot will contact you at approximately 1:00 p.m. on the day of your scheduled flight. During this call, we will review current weather conditions and confirm whether we will be meeting, along with your scheduled meeting time.

Please remember that weather conditions can change rapidly. In some cases, a flight may still need to be cancelled after a “meet” decision has been made. If this occurs, your pilot will keep you informed and help you reschedule for another flight opportunity.

Dress as you would for a casual nature hike or an outdoor activity lasting several hours.

We recommend:

• Comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather
• Long pants
• Closed-toe shoes such as sneakers, hiking shoes, or boots
• Socks that cover your ankles

For your safety and comfort, please do not wear sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, clogs, high heels, dresses, or skirts.

Balloon flights often launch and land in grassy fields, and occasionally in areas with taller vegetation. Proper footwear and clothing will help keep you comfortable throughout your adventure.

As a general rule, if you’re dressed comfortably for a walk outdoors, you’ll be dressed appropriately for your balloon flight.

Your ballooning adventure is much more than just the flight itself. From check-in to the post-flight celebration, you can expect to spend approximately 3 to 3.5 hours with us.

• Sunrise Flights: 1 hour and 15 minutes before official sunrise
• Sunset Flights: 2 hours and 30 minutes before official sunset

PLEASE BE ON TIME | It is extremely important for you to arrive slightly ahead of your scheduled time. We recommend no more than 10 minutes.

We meet at Veteran’s Park in Lake Geneva. It’s just a few blocks south of the Lake Geneva Walmart. 
Veteran’s Park has three parking lots. Sometimes people get confused. 

Mashtun Brewing is right across the street from the parking lot we use. Their address is 700 Veterans Parkway, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. Our suggestion is to put “Mashtun Brewing” into your phone’s map app. When you get to Mashtun Brewing, just look across the street and that is where we will be.

If you prefer a paper map, you can download the map right here”

MEETING LOCATION MAP

During your flight confirmation call, your pilot will provide you with a direct cell phone number to use if you have trouble finding the meeting location or need to contact us while traveling to Lake Geneva.

Please use the pilot’s cell phone number for all day-of-flight communication.

Do not call our office number, (262) 206-3975, on the day of your flight. Our office phone is a landline and is not staffed during flight operations.

If you have questions, are running late, or need assistance locating the meeting site, your pilot is the best person to contact.

Upon arrival, please park in the designated parking lot and make your way to the Lake Geneva Balloon Company van, where you will be greeted by your Host.

Your Host is dedicated to making your experience safe, comfortable, and enjoyable from the moment you arrive. They will assist with check-in, confirm that all required paperwork has been completed, answer questions, and help familiarize you with the morning’s activities.

During balloon inflation, your Host will explain the process, review important safety information, and help ensure that everyone knows what to expect before takeoff. They are there to keep you informed, comfortable, and engaged throughout the experience.

Your Host will also capture photos before and after the flight so you can focus on enjoying the adventure rather than worrying about taking pictures.

We believe this personalized attention is one of the things that sets the Lake Geneva Balloon Company apart and helps create the exceptional guest experience for which we are known.

Your ballooning adventure is much more than just the flight itself. From check-in to the post-flight celebration, you can expect to spend approximately 3 to 3.5 hours with us.

Check-In & Pre-Flight Briefing

After arriving at our meeting location, you’ll be greeted by your Host and introduced to your pilot. We will review the morning or evening’s flight plan, discuss safety procedures, and answer any questions you may have.

Transportation to the Launch Site

All guests travel to the launch site in our company van. While we occasionally launch from Veterans Park, most flights depart from one of our many launch locations throughout the Geneva Lakes area, depending on wind and weather conditions.

Balloon Inflation & Launch

Once at the launch site, you’ll have the opportunity to watch the balloon come to life as our crew inflates and prepares it for flight. After all pre-flight inspections and safety checks have been completed, guests will board the balloon for takeoff.

The Flight

Most flights last approximately one hour, although actual flight times may vary depending on weather conditions and the availability of suitable landing locations.

Landing & Recovery

After landing, our crew will pack the balloon and equipment while guests relax and enjoy the experience. Once everything is secured, we will transport everyone back to our meeting location.

Post-Flight Celebration

Upon returning, you’ll join us for our traditional post-flight celebration featuring non-alcoholic refreshments, a brief history of ballooning, and the presentation of your personalized Flight Completion Certificate.

Any remaining balance due for your flight will be collected at this time before departure.

We strongly recommend using a restroom before arriving at our meeting location.

There are no restroom facilities at Veterans Park, and most of our launch sites are located in open fields where restroom facilities are not available.

Once we begin the check-in and flight preparation process, we are operating on a weather-dependent schedule and are generally unable to make unscheduled stops.

For your convenience, the nearest public restroom to our meeting location is the Kwik Trip located at:

850 S. Wells Street
Lake Geneva, WI 53147

KWIK TRIP LOCATION ON GOOGLE MAPS
Many of our guests make a quick stop there before arriving at Veterans Park. It’s just a 3 minute drive from Kwik Trip to our meeting spot in Veteran’s Park.

DIRECTIONS FROM KWIK TRIP TO VETERAN’S PARK MEETING LOCATION

Most Lake Geneva Balloon Company flights last approximately one hour from takeoff to landing.

Flight times can vary slightly depending on weather conditions, wind direction, and the availability of suitable landing locations. In some cases, flights may last a little longer while the pilot searches for the best landing site.

For contractual purposes, a flight lasting 45 minutes or longer is considered a complete flight. However, it is extremely rare for a flight to end before one hour, and this would typically occur only if changing weather conditions required the pilot to conclude the flight early for safety reasons.

Our goal is always to provide the longest safe and enjoyable flight possible.

Weather is the single most important factor in determining whether a balloon flight can take place.

At the Lake Geneva Balloon Company, safety is never compromised. Before every flight, our pilots carefully evaluate weather forecasts, radar, wind speeds, visibility, and ground conditions to determine whether a safe flight can be conducted.

Hot air balloons fly during the calmest parts of the day, shortly after sunrise and a few hours before sunset. They do not operate during the middle of the day, when thermal activity can create unstable flying conditions.

Some of the conditions we look for include:

• Light winds for safe takeoffs and landings 
• Take offs and landings of 8 mph or less
• No significant rain, thunderstorms, or hazardous weather nearby
• Favorable wind conditions at various altitudes
• Good visibility for navigation and landing site selection
• Dry, firm ground for launching, landing, and vehicle access

While weather forecasts provide valuable guidance, conditions can change quickly. For this reason, the Pilot in Command always has the final authority to determine whether a flight will proceed.

If there is any doubt, we do not fly.

Weather conditions can change quickly, and sometimes important information becomes available after a “meet” decision has been made. For this reason, it is possible for a flight to be cancelled after guests arrive at the meeting location or even after we reach the launch site.

Every Lake Geneva Balloon Company flight is operated by an FAA-certified commercial balloon pilot and supported by a professional flight crew. Together, they continuously monitor weather conditions throughout the flight preparation process.

The Pilot in Command has the final authority to determine whether conditions are safe for launch and flight. This decision is based on current weather observations, forecasts, local conditions, and the pilot’s training and experience.

While we understand that last-minute cancellations can be disappointing, they are made only when the pilot believes conditions are not suitable for a safe and enjoyable balloon flight.

Our commitment is simple: if there is any doubt, we do not fly.

Every Lake Geneva Balloon Company flight is supported by a professional team dedicated to your safety, comfort, and enjoyment.

The Flight Crew

Our Flight Crew works directly with the pilot before, during, and after the flight. They assist with balloon setup and inflation, track the balloon from the ground during the flight, help identify suitable landing locations, and coordinate recovery operations after landing.

Because hot air balloons travel wherever the wind takes them, the exact landing location is not always known in advance. The Flight Crew plays a vital role in ensuring a safe and efficient flight experience from launch to landing.

Your Host

Your Host is dedicated exclusively to our guests. They will greet you upon arrival, assist with check-in, review important safety information, answer questions, and help you understand each stage of the ballooning experience.

Your Host will also take photos before and after the flight so you can focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about capturing every moment.

We know of few balloon companies that provide a dedicated Host as part of the experience, and it is one of the ways we strive to provide “The Finest of Care in Geneva’s Air.”

Can I Help?

Absolutely. Many guests enjoy helping with balloon inflation or packing up after the flight. If you’d like to participate, just let us know and we’ll be happy to show you how.

Prefer to relax, watch, and take photos? That’s perfectly fine too. Participation is always optional.

Is Tipping Appreciated?

Yes. While our pilots, crew members, and hosts are paid professionals, gratuities are always appreciated if you feel your team provided exceptional service and helped make your experience memorable.

Tipping is never required, but it is always appreciated.

Like many service-oriented businesses, gratuities are a meaningful way to recognize exceptional customer service, professionalism, and hospitality. If your pilot, host, and flight crew help make your experience especially memorable, a tip is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation.

Our pilots and crew members are trained professionals who are dedicated to providing a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable ballooning experience. Many of our crew members participate in ballooning because they genuinely love the sport and enjoy sharing that passion with our guests.

If you choose to leave a gratuity, please know that it is sincerely appreciated by the entire team.

If your flight may be cancelled, we encourage you to use our online booking application  to reschedule. Or if you like you can call us at (262) 206-3975. Please note that we only allow guests to have one reservation on the calendar at a time.

If you would like, you may ask the pilot to “join the crew” and help out. It’s a fun part of the experience and your crew chief will give you all the “on the job” training you’ll need. Don’t worry, safety is our first priority and any job you will be assigned to will be one that is in-line with your ballooning experience.

If you’d rather let us do the work, that is great too — your trip, your call! If you choose instead to be a spectator and take photos, please remain in the approved areas for passengers during set-up and inflation.

The crew on the ground gets permission from a land owner and we land the balloon. Your crew will take down the balloon system and pack it away. You are more than welcome to join in, but it is not required. Please remember, we are usually on private property and have limited permission to be there. Let’s respect the property of the landowners who grant us permission and leave no trace of our intrusion. The Lake Geneva Balloon Company prides itself on being a good neighbor.We will drive you back for the post-flight celebration at the Lake Geneva Pie Company.