Are you looking for the perfect way to fly? If so, then you should certainly consider hot air balloon flights. While manned hot air balloons have existed since the 1780s, unmanned ones actually date back to around 200 A.D.

While today's air-propelled balloons provide several benefits over other flying contraptions, here are some of the main ones:

1. They start or end the day perfectly

Interestingly, balloon flights can only occur right after sunrise, or in Europe and coler climates just before sunset. Here's why: those are the only times of the day when the air pressure and winds are perfect for hot air balloons. That's OK! The gracefulness of hot air balloons and the serenity of these times during the day complement each other. So the apparent drawback of hot air balloons' limited flying times turns out to be a benefit. Whether you fly at sunrise or sunset, you'll have a chance to enjoy the thrill of hot air balloon trips.

2. They're nearly vertigo-free

Granted, hot air balloon rides will be relatively high off the ground. However, the operative word is “relatively.” Pilots typically fly them at heights slightly above treetops, and below 3,000 feet. Does 3,000 feet sound high? In the world of flying it's fairly low, considering that the world's tallest skyscraper is about 2,700 feet high. So while vertigo is certainly possible at the height of 3,000 feet, it's much less common than when travelling via other modes of flight.

3. They're sensation-free

This differs significantly from travelling by airplanes and other similar methods. Here's why. Planes travel much faster than the environment around them, while the speed of balloon flights matches the environment around the balloons. This literally allows your flight to be smooth sailing, basically eliminating the possibility of motion sickness. While that's still possible, it only during the short-term takeoff and landing of the hot air balloon. So the only sensation you'll experience during a hot air balloon trip is one of excitement.

4. They're wind-propelled

This is another feature of hot air balloon rides that might seem like a drawback at first. However, if you want a more “naturalistic” flying experience that is mostly dependent on the wind, then such balloons are the right option. Yes, the pilot must steer. That said, that person is greatly dependent on the direction and strength of the wind during the flight. In many ways this type of flying differs greatly from more complex airplanes and helicopters. However, if you're looking for a mode of flying that returns to the essence of the activity—then a hot air balloon is one of your best options.

5. They provide a fantastic view

This is possible since the hot air balloons fly relatively low. Since they can fly as low as the treetops, this gives you the chance to take some fantastic pictures of the landscape below. Some people take photos. Others take videos. Still others simply use their eyes to take in the view underneath the balloon. Regardless of which method you choose, all of them give you the perfect chance to enjoy an extraordinary view.

6. They're quite safe

It's important to note that balloon flights tend to be one of the safest ways to fly. Ironically, it's the takeoff and landing that usually create the most difficulty in terms of safety. However, a qualified ground  crew can make the risk of the task extremely low. Besides such crews being important, when a quality pilot flies a quality balloon, you can be assured that you'll experience one of the safest ways to take flight. Shop around! Learning about the balloons, pilots, and crews of certain companies will help you to choose one of the safest ones in the business.

6. They're affordable

Renting a small plane can easily cost $1,500 per hour, while Wine Country Ballooning hot air balloon flights typically have a price tag that's only a fraction of that cost. Contact us today to find the best value available.

by +John Wright