Few things are more disappointing than a 4 a.m. alarm followed by the words “no flight today”. It happens in Luxor, not often, but enough that every traveller should understand why — and what they are entitled to. This is how cancellations work with us.
Why flights are cancelled
Hot air balloons can only fly safely in calm, stable air. In Luxor that means the hour around sunrise, before the sun heats the ground and stirs up wind. A flight is cancelled when one of these is outside safe limits:
- Surface wind at the launch field, which affects inflation and take-off
- Wind at altitude, which decides how fast the balloon travels and where it can land
- Visibility, occasionally reduced by haze, dust or morning mist
- The forecast for the landing window — a calm take-off is not enough if the landing will be windy
Who decides
The pilot in command makes the decision on the morning, based on measurements at the field and the forecast, within limits set by the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. That decision is final and is never influenced by how many passengers are booked. Read more in our safety guide.
How often does it happen?
Most mornings fly. Cancellations cluster in windier spells and are more common in some months than others; our best time to fly guide covers the seasons. Sometimes a flight is delayed rather than cancelled while the crew waits for wind to drop.
What you get if we cancel
If we stand down for weather, you choose:
- Reschedule to the next available morning at no extra cost, or
- A full refund, by the same method you paid.
We do not issue credit notes instead of refunds. The full rules are on our cancellation and weather policy page.
If you need to cancel
- More than 24 hours before: free of charge, refunded in full.
- Less than 24 hours before: we move you to another available morning at no cost.
- No-show: not refunded, because the seat was held and the vehicle made the trip. Message us the moment you know.
How to protect your flight
- Book your first morning in Luxor, so you have backup mornings.
- Keep WhatsApp on the evening before; we confirm pickup or warn about weather.
- Have a plan B for the morning: go back to sleep, or head straight to the West Bank sites. Our three-day itinerary is built around a spare morning.
- On a cruise or day trip? Read the cruise guide or the Hurghada guide for timing advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get my money back if the balloon is cancelled?
Yes. If we cancel for weather, you can take a full refund or move to another morning — your choice.
Can the flight be cancelled after I arrive at the field?
Yes, occasionally. Conditions are checked right up to take-off. The same refund or rebooking choice applies.
What if my flight is shorter than expected?
Flights vary from about 35 to 60 minutes with the wind. If a flight is materially cut short for operational reasons, we offer a partial refund or a free reflight.
