COVID-19 AND OUR BALLOON FLIGHTS
All updates on how the COVID-19 coronavirus has affected our flights will be posted on this page. The safety and enjoyment of our passengers has always been at the core of everything we do. We reserve the right to cancel/push back flight dates based on government regulations regarding social distancing.
Update: October 22nd, 2021
Our 2021 flying season came to an end on October 6th. This is a reminder that weather permitting our flying season is scheduled between May 25th – October 6th each year.
For customers/passengers that still have a valid voucher, if you are unable to fly with us prior to the end of our 2021 flying season due to weather cancelations or availability, your vouchers remain valid for our 2022 bookings and our 2022 scheduling calendar is active and taking bookings.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING
All passengers will be asked health questions upon arrival and will only be permitted to check in for their flight if they are not at risk of having COVID-19. While our balloon flights do take place with plentiful open fresh air there will still be multiple changes made to our operations. We will be adding clear vision divider panels for each 2 person compartment on the balloon basket. We will provide masks to those who don't bring their own, and hand sanitizer will be available. It is important to know, however, that passengers may need to travel in our van after the flight, back to the launch location. For our shared flights, there will more than likely be 6–8 passengers and at least 1 staff member needing to travel in the van at one time. To reduce the number of people needing to travel in the van at one time, we suggest that all passengers have a friend or family member follow the balloon in their own vehicle. By doing so, they can collect their friends or family members after the balloon flight and help us limit the amount of passengers needing to ride in our van. We will also be suspending the after flight Champagne toast and snacks for added caution until further notice. All equipment (balloon basket and vehicles), will be fully sanitized before and after every flight. You can also expect our staff to be equipped when necessary with personal protective equipment (gloves and masks).
PURCHASING A BALLOON FLIGHT
You can purchase tickets/vouchers and select a flight date at that time or you can select a date at a later point if purchasing a gift voucher. All flight vouchers purchased online come with free, instant email delivery for the ideal contactless gift purchase experience.
EXISTING VOUCHER HOLDERS
If you already have a valid, bookable flight voucher, we have automatically extended it to October 2022.
This ensures you not only have time to book if and when we are able to start flying this season, but also during next year’s season without any risk of your vouchers expiring. There is no need to contact us to activate this extension.
We will continue to review the situation, should the need arise for any further validity extensions.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
We remain available to assist you and can be contacted via email at info@ontariohotairballoonrides.com. For our safety and well-being, we continue to work from home and we ask that you please allow at least 3–4 working days for a response to any emails.
We look forward to taking you up, up and away before too long – and promise you the wait will absolutely be worth it.
Thank you for your understanding and helping to support our small, local, family run business. With your help we shall stay afloat and wish all of you the very best.
Ontario Hot Air Balloon Rides
