Most people can fly. A few cannot, and a few more should talk to us first. This page sets out the rules for a hot air balloon ride in Luxor in plain language — age, weight, pregnancy, mobility and medical conditions — so you know before you book rather than at the launch site at five in the morning.
The quick checklist
- Minimum age: 6 years old. Children must be tall enough to see over the basket wall and must fly with a parent or guardian.
- Weight: there is no hard cut-off, but passengers over roughly 120 kg (265 lb) must tell us when booking so the pilot can balance the basket.
- Pregnancy: pregnant passengers cannot fly, at any stage.
- Mobility: you need to climb into a basket about 1.2 m (4 ft) high using the foot-holds, stand for around an hour, and bend your knees for landing.
- Recent surgery or serious conditions: tell us first. Some conditions mean a “please don’t fly”, and we would rather say that on the phone than in the field.
Is there an age limit for hot air balloons?
The lower limit is the one that matters. We carry children from 6 years old. Below that, the basket walls are simply too high — a small child sees only wicker for the whole flight and is uncomfortable during landing. There is no upper age limit: passengers in their eighties fly with us regularly. What matters is mobility, not the number on your passport.
Under-18s fly with a parent or legal guardian in the same basket, and the guardian signs the passenger declaration on their behalf. For more detail, read our guide to flying with children.
What is the weight limit for a hot air balloon?
There is no fixed per-person weight limit in Luxor, but every balloon has a maximum total load that changes with the morning temperature: cool winter air gives the balloon more lift, hot summer air gives it less. That is why the pilot needs to know about heavier passengers in advance — not to refuse them, but to distribute weight across the basket compartments and plan the load.
If you weigh more than about 120 kg (265 lb), mention it on the booking form or on WhatsApp. On a busy summer morning we may suggest a specific flight or a smaller-basket flight where space and load are easier to manage. Not telling us is the only real problem — a pilot who discovers an unbalanced load at the launch site may have to move people between baskets in the dark.
Can you ride a hot air balloon while pregnant?
No. Pregnant passengers cannot fly at any stage of pregnancy. The reason is the landing: even a gentle landing involves a firm bump, and occasionally the basket tips onto its side and slides a few metres. The landing position — knees bent, back to the direction of travel, holding the rope handles — is fine for most people and not something we will ask an expectant mother to do. The sunrise photo session keeps both feet on the ground and is a good alternative.
Health conditions to tell us about
Please mention any of the following when booking. Most do not stop you flying; they help the pilot place you and brief you properly.
- Back, hip, knee or ankle problems
- Heart conditions, pacemakers or high blood pressure
- Recent surgery (within the last three months) or a recent fracture
- Epilepsy, fainting or a history of seizures
- Severe fear of heights — the slow, silent movement of a balloon is very different from a high building, and many nervous flyers love it, but the pilot should know
- Wheelchair use or limited mobility
Passengers with limited mobility have flown with us. It needs planning — a quieter launch area, extra ground crew to help with boarding, and a pilot briefed in advance — so contact us before you book rather than after.
Alcohol, medication and the night before
Pilots will not carry a passenger who is visibly intoxicated. Heavy drinking the night before plus a 04:00 pickup is a poor combination on its own; add standing for an hour and you have a passenger who feels unwell at 1,500 feet. Sleep early, eat something light, and drink water.
Cameras, bags and what you can bring
Phones and cameras are welcome — use a wrist strap. Large backpacks and tripods stay in the vehicle because baskets are divided into compartments and floor space is limited. Drones are not permitted from the basket or at the launch site. Find a full kit list in our what to wear guide.
The passenger declaration
Every passenger signs a short declaration at the launch site confirming they are fit to fly and have heard the safety briefing. It is not a formality: it is the moment to tell the crew anything you forgot to mention. Read more about how balloon safety is regulated in Luxor.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 5-year-old fly in a hot air balloon in Luxor?
No. The minimum age is 6, mainly because younger children cannot see over the basket wall and find the landing frightening.
Is there an upper age limit?
No. If you can climb into the basket with the step-holds and stand for about an hour, you can fly.
Do I have to tell you my exact weight?
Only if you are above roughly 120 kg. An approximate figure is fine; it is used to balance the basket, nothing else.
What if I am refused at the launch site?
If we cannot fly you for a safety reason you did not know about in advance, you receive a full refund. If you knew and did not tell us, the normal cancellation policy applies — which is why we ask.
Still unsure whether you can fly? Send us a WhatsApp message with your question before booking — a pilot will answer. See all flights →
