by Blake Herzog
Hot-air ballooning may be one of the most gloriously impractical pursuits known to humanity, and this made it a perfect rich-person hobby during its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries — and it still is today!
The value of taking an unhurried journey on an antiquated flying machine subject to the whims of the weather has only grown in our hyper-speed era. The serenity of the flight and the bird-eye view as you drift up to 3,000 feet aboveground is close to unparalleled.
It is an expensive endeavor. The number of people able to shell out $150 to $400 for a single ride is already limited, the price driven by the cost of the aircraft itself, comprehensive safety protocols, technology like advanced weather monitoring systems and rigorous training and continuing education requirements.
Limited availability and capacity and the often personalized and exclusive adventure of a ride drive up demand and pricing. The tradition of toasting a safe landing with champagne underlines the inherent luxury of a flight.
It takes a whole new level of affluence to purchase and fly your own hot-air balloon. Pricing runs anywhere from $20,000 for a small envelope (the technical term for the balloon itself) and two-person gondola to $100,000 for a larger custom design. Pilots must be licensed by the FAA, a process that costs up to $5,000 and takes up to three months to complete.
Operation and maintenance of your hot air balloon is where the cost really adds up. A ground crew of at least three and a chase vehicle are required to catch up with wherever it ends up landing and transport the craft, pilot and passengers back to where they started, and most balloons carry 30 to 40 gallons of propane on each flight. Insurance coverage costs are formidable, and FAA inspections are annual, often carrying fees in the hundreds of dollars depending on what repairs are needed.
But the chance to glide effortlessly above it all for up to two hours is clearly worth the price for many with money.
