Champagne Balloon Flight

The Champagne Balloon Flight takes place late afternoon, just before sunset. We fly these hours because we need very calm winds for hot air ballooning. The entire ballooning experience takes about five hours.

Our launch site is located in Waukon, Iowa. The balloon is eight stories high and sixty feet around. The inflation of the balloon takes about an hour and is spectacular to see.

Once the balloon is inflated we take four people aboard plus the pilot and start to fly.

The area is quite scenic with rivers, creeks, wooded areas and valleys. The area abounds with wildlife, dear, geese, fox, and bald eagles. We will skim trees so you can pick branches from their tops. Once we finish the terrain flying we will climb to approximately 2000 feet so you can see the entire river valley area.

After approximately 1 hour of flight time we land the balloon and switch passengers. You then follow in our chase vehicle which has been following the balloon and carrying the new passengers. Refreshments are served aboard the chase vehicle. After the second balloon flight we land the balloon and put it away.

Everyone who has been a passenger is given a complimentary bottle of champagne, which has been a tradition since the first manned balloon flight. At this point we date the gift certificates. The gift certificates are on yellow parchment paper and written in old English script and look very nice mounted in glass frames for your display. Also included are a letter stating what the balloon flight consisted of and a pamphlet of balloon information.

The balloon is fully insured. We have been flying balloons for more than 20 years with no accidents. We are listed in the Yellow Pages under balloons, manned.

The price is $175 per passenger plus 7% Iowa sales tax. (Total $187.25) There is a $100 reservation fee with balance due on the day of your ride. We accept cash, checks, or credit cards.

We hope you feel that our qualifications are high enough for you to want to do business with us.

Flying TimeOur Driftaway pilots have logged over twenty years of flying hot air balloons without the occurrence of any accidents or injuries. Because safety is a prime concern, our experienced pilots only "go up" when the weather is favorable for ballooning. We usually launch near sunset when the winds are likely to be calm. Winds, light and variable, not in excess of five mph are ideal for flying. For your safety as well as ours, we do not "go up" in high winds, rain, fog, or at night.

Reservation InformationYour $100.00 reservation fee (non-refundable) is applied toward the balance due on your balloon ride. It ensures that you are on our list of those "going up". As weather conditions do play a major factor in ballooning, we ask your patience if it takes a few months before you are contacted. Your reservation is promptly made upon receipt of the fee, and your name is then added accordingly to our list.

Ready to WearFor your comfort, may we suggest; a lightweight jacket; soft sole shoes (tennis shoes); blue jeans or "everywhere" pants; cap or scarf.

ReschedulingAfter you are notified of the day of your balloon ride, and for reasons unknown you can't make it, please contact us as soon as possible. We will be happy to reschedule your ride for another day.

LOW WINDS --- CLEAR DAY --- DRIFTAWAY!

For reservations, please contact us by clicking here.