What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• AVOID - Reviews are accurate

  KAGM76,Apr 7, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  I booked this as a big adventure on our first ever trip to Arizona for my two kids and myself. I was hesitant because of the bad reviews, but I assumed that if the guy was really that bad, he would no longer be with the company. We were supposed to meet at the Starbucks at 6:15am. The night before, I double checked everything before we went to bed at 10:00. We were about 35 minutes away, so we planned to get up at 5:15 and leave right away. When I woke up at 5:15 there was a text from 11:07pm that said the meeting time was 5:40am. I immediately responded explaining that we would be there as soon as we could, but it would be after 6:00, because I hadn’t been told sooner. I didn't hear back. We started to drive, due to arrive at 6:04. As we were driving, the guy mentioned in all the reviews, Shane, called me and I explained the situation. He told me I was wrong, I was definitely notified sooner. (I wasn't. I got one message ever on Trip Advisor ever and it was from 10:54pm. And the only text was from 11:07pm.) He said they would wait if I hurried. So we drove as fast as we could, and we arrived at 6:04 only to find that they had all left. We were very disappointed. Later that morning, I asked to get my money back, and Shane was extremely rude. My kids were really disappointed they didn’t get to go on the hot air balloon and I was upset about being out $635 and was getting treated badly by this guy! Fortunately, I got in touch with someone else at the company who apologized for their error and refunded my money. This person was very nice. I’m grateful for that person, but we still missed our balloon ride because of their mistake and on top of it, I was treated very poorly by Shane, and, from the reviews, this is not unique to me.

• Anger Issues of a Piliot

  dougg1000,Apr 5, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  The pilot has some deep seated anger issues with his customers, IRS, and the government (which I sympathize with) but don't necessarily need to hear about it. We did not have a sunrise tour (as marketed). Piliot didn't believe people would pay and get up for this. He cut our tour short for a better landing experience which we appreciated, but told the ground crew we were complaining, not true. He complained about his past customers. He claimed to be the best, which according to his presentation, I believe he once was, even today not a flaw in it. He would be best served by keeping to the script. I would suggest that his son take over the business as it would thrive with his nice smile and positive disposition. I read the negative reviews and gave Shane the benefit of doubt and booked with him. I had doubts about our safety, and not due to professional competence

  

  

  

• High hopes dashed

  N3894UDbillm,Apr 1, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  Flight experience was good. Pilot made the experience awful. Before we left the parking lot we were all getting to know each other and we joked that the basket looked small and did we get complimentary parachutes, and he turned around and asked us all if we wanted to cancel the whole thing. We were there early but somehow we got up in the air 1 hour after the sunrise had occurred. Ironic that it’s marketed as a “sunrise” hot air ballon ride. When my wife asked him questions while we were up in the air, he was very rude to her.sometime while in flight, he told us that there was supposed to be 3 more folks were to join us and that one of them was over 350 pounds and he was telling us that he would’ve needed to get in and out of the basket without using the slots in the basket because he would break them. Essentially fat shaming him and he wasn’t even on the flight with us. Towards the end of the flight as we were descending, he was on his cell phone yelling at the ground crew for not being directly under our basket. We saw them trying to drive around fences to try to get to us, but the pilot kept deriding them. What was supposed to be our 1 big ticket item, an experience of a lifetime, the pilot repeatedly ruined the experience. FYI, If he says I’m lying, I will tell you, I have much of the conversations on video. I’d also like a refund!

• Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

  N3894UDbillm,Mar 31, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  The ride was awesome, the pilot, not so much. He was late! When we found out why: it because he told us he was waiting for 3 more people and one of them was over 350 pounds (he was fat shamming them and saying he was glad they didn’t make it because they/he it would’ve broken the basket). We missed the “sunrise” by over an hour. Once we got into the van and were getting to know everyone, he heard us jokingly saying that the basket was small and did we get parachutes just in case, then he turned around and asked if we all wanted to cancel the trip? Finally, as we were descending, he was on his cell phone yelling and deriding the ground crew for not being directly under the balloon. He was rude to my wife for asking questions. He was rude to other passengers as well. I would love to rate the experience as top notch, but for the money we paid, the “pilot” ruined it. Would I hot air balloon again; absolutely….would I fly with that pilot ever again; never. If there was a way I could get a refund, I would! Bill

• Totally unprofessional

  Chad P,Mar 20, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  1.00

  The experience itself was cool but the instructor was unprofessional and rude. He was complaining about and arguing with his coworkers during and after the ride. And he didn’t know how to talk respectfully and professional. I will not choose this company ever again.

• Experienced Pilot, Smooth Ride

  Analia P,Mar 18, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Our pilot, Shane, was fantastic and we had a great conversation the whole time. He is so knowledgeable and experienced and we felt so comfortable for the entirety of the ride. We missed the sunrise by a little bit, but it was cool watching them set the balloon up. Definitely recommend if you’re in the Phoenix area!!

• Disappointment in canceling hot air balloon trip.

  cherylcJ151CF,Mar 9, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  Our evening hot air balloon trip was cancelled. We were not notified until we were waiting at the designated meeting spot after driving 45 minutes in traffic. It would have been nice to be notified earlier. The weather was the reason it was canceled, surely the weather forecast is known several hours earlier to allow for earlier notification.

• “Late for Sunrise”

  Sherrie Z,Mar 1, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  2.00

  The ride came 10 minutes late. We were still on the ground when the sunrise occurred. There was a land use permission dispute between the police and the company. We were concerned if we would be able to take off or not.

• Best hot air balloon ride!

  lisa v,Feb 27, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  The ride was smooth, the staff knowledgeable regarding history and how to manipulate the hot air balloon. The guide explained the process which was comforting. And the landing was smooth! End it off with a drink! Highly recommend .

• The hot air balloon ride...

  Angie G,Feb 25, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  The hot air balloon ride was totally worth it! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it and we definitely recommend! Great adventure!

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