Giving a hot air balloon flight in Annecy: the complete guide

Giving a hot air balloon flight means giving a memory rather than an object — but it also means giving an activity that depends on the sky, with rules of its own. Here is how it actually works: what the voucher covers, how the recipient books, when to give it so they get the most out of it, and the classic mistakes worth avoiding.

How a hot air balloon gift voucher works

The principle is deliberately simple, because the date itself cannot be fixed in advance.

1. You buy the voucher online, without choosing a date.
2. You receive it by e-mail as a PDF to print, or by post if you would rather have something physical to slip into an envelope.
3. You give it whenever you like.
4. The recipient contacts us to choose a date, according to availability and the season that suits them.
5. The evening before the flight, the pilot confirms the exact time and meeting point, after the 6 pm weather bulletin.

That flexibility is what makes the voucher valuable: you do not need to know the person’s schedule, nor to gamble on the weather of one specific day six weeks ahead.

What it costs and what it covers

The price is €310 per person for a flight in a shared basket. The voucher covers the flight itself (45 minutes to 1 h 15), all equipment, supervision by a qualified professional pilot and the traditional aeronaut’s toast on landing — champagne and cookies. Travel to the launch site is not included.

Three options exist, depending on the effect you are after:

• The classic flight, from €310 per person, in a basket shared with other passengers.
• The Love Flight for two, €990 for the pair, with a private basket — the format chosen for marriage proposals.
• Private charter for 3 to 4 people, from €1,290 to €1,490.

When to give it so they really enjoy it

A voucher given in December does not have to be used in December — and that is just as well. The good practice is to give with the flying season in mind, not the date of the gift:

• Given at Christmas → the flight can be booked calmly in spring, when the days lengthen and the summits are still under snow.
• Given for a summer birthday → beware the 5.30 am start in July; the following autumn will be more comfortable.
• Given in September → autumn is precisely the best time to fly: stable air, morning mist over the lake, a 7 am meeting time.

To help the recipient choose, pass on the guide: the best season to fly a hot air balloon in Annecy.

Presenting it well: a few ideas

A printed PDF in an envelope does the job, but it is a little dry for an experience like this. A few stagings that work:

• The voucher hidden in a small weighted parcel — a book about the Alps, a scarf, a flask: the object throws them off and the reveal lands all the harder.
• A short treasure hunt, with the voucher as the final clue — unbeatable with children or teenagers.
• A group reveal, when several people club together: the cost divides well and the memory is shared.
• The surprise wake-up for the bold: announce the flight the evening before and drive the person to the launch site the next morning. Reserved for early sleepers — and do check the forecast.

Classic mistakes to avoid

• Trying to fix a date. It is the natural instinct, and the surest way to create disappointment: the flight depends on wind and rain. The open-date voucher exists for exactly that reason.
• Forgetting the minimum height. A child must be 1.40 m tall to board, with no exception. Check before giving — see ballooning with children.
• Giving one to a pregnant woman. Flights are not permitted during pregnancy, for safety reasons at landing.
• Waiting until the voucher is about to expire. The best weather windows book up weeks ahead, especially autumn weekends. A voucher used at the last minute is a voucher you may struggle to place.
• Underestimating the morning. The flight lasts an hour, but the full experience takes about 3 hours, very early. Warn the person: this is not a spur-of-the-moment Sunday outing.

What if the weather cancels the flight?

It is the question everyone giving a voucher asks, and the answer is reassuring: the flight is postponed free of charge to a later date. Only the pilot, in command of the aircraft, decides whether to fly, based on wind, precipitation and visibility. Nothing is lost, and a weather cancellation does not use up the voucher.

It is also why it is better not to give a flight « for the day after tomorrow »: leave some margin, and give the weather time to cooperate.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a hot air balloon gift voucher valid?

Several months, which gives the recipient time to choose a date according to the season and their availability. The exact terms appear on the voucher itself. It is best not to wait until the final weeks to book: the most popular slots go early.

Can I give a single place?

Yes. The flight takes place in a basket shared with other passengers, and the balloon lifts off as soon as there are at least two passengers on board. You can therefore give one place, or two if you would rather the person shared the experience.

How does the recipient book a date?

They contact us directly with their voucher to choose an available slot. The evening before the flight, the pilot calls after the 6 pm weather bulletin to confirm the exact time and the meeting point, chosen according to wind direction.

In what form is the voucher delivered?

Your choice: by e-mail as a PDF to print, or by post if you prefer something physical to give in an envelope. The printed version slips easily into a parcel for the reveal.

What happens if the flight is cancelled because of the weather?

The flight is postponed free of charge to a later date agreed with the recipient. A weather cancellation does not use up the gift voucher and nothing is lost.

Read next: which season to choose · where we take off and what you fly over · frequently asked questions.