Balloon Rides

Everything you might want to know about arranging for rides in a hot air balloon.  A great way to have some fun, gift certificates for special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries.   A hot air balloon makes a romantic setting for a marriage proposal.

Note: This listing is provided as a courtesy to GEBA members.  Listings in this web site do not constitute any form of endorsement or certification on the part of GEBA;  or it's Board of Directors;  or this site;   or any individuals connected with this web site.

Contact the listed pilots directly for flight schedules, launch locations and related details.

The table is broken into geographic regions for ease of reading.  Many pilots fly in multiple areas, some of their additional areas are noted.  With respect to passenger capacity, many pilots can arrange flights for larger groups.  It is suggested that you speak directly to a pilot concerning your interests.

Click on a geographic area for a list of pilots offering balloon rides.
  1. About hot air balloon rides
  2. Pennsylvania
  3. Northern NJ
  4. Central NJ
  5. Southern NJ
  6. Other Areas

About hot air balloon rides

A hot air balloon ride is a very special experience and can be the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion.  The following provides some general things to know for those planning to either take a ride or give one as a gift.

Allow about 3 hours for the complete activity.  This will include meeting the balloon crew at a designated location; 30 minutes or so (prior to flight time) for a procedural/safety briefing and setting up the balloon; one hour for the actual flight; 30 minutes for landing and packing up the equipment; then return to the launch site and traditional champagne toast.

Like all activities, it is appropriate to "dress for the occasion."   Naturally, the temperature will control types of clothing and quantity.  This is an outdoor sport, appropriate clothing is desired.  Some recommendations include: closed-toed shoes (sneakers, hiking boots, etc.); jeans; (no dress pants or skirts, or shorts); comfortable shirt/jacket; hat.  For morning flights be aware of damp (dew) ground and consider water repellent footwear.  Sunglasses should be included as with any outdoor event.

Bring along a camera and lots of film. Video cameras are frequently taken on balloon rides.  You are welcome to photograph the entire process, and the crew will be happy to offer some suggestions for special photo opportunities.

Many people ask what a ride "feels like."  Because balloons travel "with the wind," rather than against it, there is virtually no sensation of motion and the only sound is that of the burner putting heat into the balloon.   Generally, on launch the ground simply melts away slowly as you rise into the air, and on landings the ground gets closer.  On occasion, things get a bit more exciting, should a breeze kick up during a launch or landing.

The issue of safety is frequently asked and is explained in detail prior to actually taking a flight.  As previously noted, pilots are certified by the F.A.A. and balloons are inspected annually by F.A.A. designated repair stations.  Safety is a keyword in ballooning and flights do not happen if there are adverse conditions present.  Despite all the precautions, it is important to recognize that ballooning, like anything (and everything) else has an element of risk. It is equally important to know that thousands upon thousands of balloon flights occur each year with the only excitement being that of enjoyment.

The number of people that can be carried varies with the size of the balloon and basket.   For large groups, pilots work together to provide enough balloons so that everyone is accommodated.

There are many reasons to take a balloon ride; celebration of a birthday, an anniversary, an engagement (yes, many couples have gotten engaged and even married in hot air balloons), graduation or just to enjoy the sights from a slightly different point of view.

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Pennsylvania

     
Rick Bryant
Easton, PA
610-923-7416
"Sights Unseen"
email:
info@sightsunseenballooning.com
website: http://www.sightsunseenballooning.com
3 passengers
photo - click here
Bob Dicks
Holland, PA
215-322-8764
"Fleck's Folly"
email: fleckfolly@comcast.net
website:
http://www.upandawayballoon.com
4 passengers
photo - click here
Mark MacSkimming
Hershey, PA
717-545-1000
"Movin' Magic"
email: markmac130@aol.com
2-4 passengers
photo - click here
Scott & Tony Saxton
Dalton, PA
570-357-7561 -570-945-3008
"Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons"
email: info@weflyhotair.com
website: http://www.weflyhotair.com
2-4 passengers
Vince Galet
Trappe, PA
484-744-3161
"Sky Riders Balloon Team"
email: pilot@skyridersballoon.com
website:
http://www.skyridersballoon.com
2 passengers

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Northern NJ

Tom Baldwin
Asbury, NJ
1-888-301-2383
"Inflight Balloon Adventures"
email: inflight@balloonnj.com
website:
2+ passengers
groups up to 50
Al Donst
Belvidere, NJ
908-475-3570
"Day Dream Believer" 1-4 passengers
photo -
click here

Denny Fleck
Oldwick, NJ
908-
439-3320 

"Tewksbury Balloon Adventures" 
email: dfleck@forbes.com
website: http://www.TewksburyBalloon.com

8 passengers
photo -
click here
Larry Konash
Mahwah, NJ
201-818-0266
"Air America"
email:
LKonash@interserv.com
website:
http://www.airamericaballoons.com
6 passengers
photo -
click here
Kevin Olsen
Milford, NJ
908-479-1799
"Alexandria Balloon Flights" 
email:
hotheir@aol.com
website:
http://www.njballooning.com
1-4 passengers
Marty Pfenninger
Pittstown, NJ
1-866-800-4FUN -or- 908-996-3333
"Balloons Aloft" 
email:
customerservice@njballoon.com
website:
http://www.njballoon.com
1-4 passengers
Jon Radowski
Clinton, NJ
908-208-1869
"Above & Beyond Ballooning"
email: njhotair@njhotair.com
website:
http://www.njhotair.com
1-10 passengers
groups of any size
photo - click here
Dick & Mary Beth Young
Parsippany, NJ
973-335-9799
"A Beautiful Balloon"
email: BalloonsNJ@aol.com
website: http://www.balloon-rides.com
1 or more guests
groups of any size
photo - click here
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Central NJ

Gene Burnstein
Brick, NJ
732-840-1593
"ClipAway"
email:
clipaway@gmail.com
website:
http://www.clipaway.net
2-3 passengers
photo -
click here
Ken Leota
Howell, NJ
732-367-3156
"Sir Prize"
email:
sirprize4@aol.com
website:
http://www.neonwind.balloonist.com
2-3 passengers
photo -
click here
Robin Loesser
Flemington, NJ
1-877-HOT-AIR-4

"Dancing on Air"
email:
hotairride@comcast.net
website:
http://www.hot-air-ride.com

3-6 passengers
Larger Groups
Mike Zemlachenko
Flemington, NJ
908-788-5415
"Hunterdon Ballooning"
email: info@hunterdonballooning.com
website: 
http://www.hunterdonballooning.com
2-5 Passengers
larger groups also
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Southern NJ

Emelia Bernava
Forked River, NJ
609-693-0044
email: Dreamworks.lta@verizon.net
website: www.dreamhotairballoon.com
2-3 passengers
photo -
click here
Harry Collison
Mays Landing, NJ
609-965-6313
"Two Angels Hot Air Balloon Team"
email:
FIRSTandFINEST98@aol.com
website: http://www.firstandfinest98.com
2-3 passengers
photo -
click here
Harry Eastburn
Eastampton, NJ
856-764-2300
"Seize The Breeze"
email:
pilot@seizethebreeze.com
website:
http://www.seizethebreeze.com
2-3 passengers
photo -
click here
Bill Matkowsky
Bridgeton, NJ
856-451-4059
"Venture I"
email:
upward1@juno.com
2-4 passengers
photo -
click here
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Other Areas

A. Mario DiStefano
Worcester, MA
508-853-6101
"Bella Via Balloon Co."
email: 
bellavia63@charter.net
website:
http://www.bellaviaballoon.com
Up to 6 passengers
Bill Hughes
Beacon, NY
845-831-6917
"Blue Sky Balloons"
email: 
bhughes8@juno.com
website:
4 passengers
Jim Regan
Kensington, CT
860-209-0351
"CT Ballooning"
email: info@CTBallooning.com
website: http://www.ctballooning.com
Up to 5 per balloon
groups of any size
Ken Smith
Middletown, NY
845-856-7103
"Fantasy Balloon Flights, Inc."
email: kensmith@warwick.net
website: http://www.fantasyfliers.com
Up to 18 passengers
in two large balloons
Rick Thorne
Painted Post, NY
607-937-3910
"Balloons Over Corning"
email:
rthorne@stny.rr.com
4 passengers
photo - 
click here
Paul Ward
Mahopac, NY
845- 621- 0947
"Britannia Ballooning Adventures"
email:
paulw@britanniaballooning.com
website:
http://www.britanniaballooning.com
Up to 3 passengers
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