Vertigo

We can’t say it enough… THERE IS NO VERTIGO DURING A HOT-AIR BALLOON RIDE! We know that many people think this is the case but still aren’t convinced, which is exactly why we keep repeating it. NO VERTIGO!

Why?

Quite simply because vertigo is caused by a sensory conflict between what the eyes see, what the inner ear (balance) perceives, and what the body feels. Vertigo often occurs when you’re at a height while still connected to the ground (like a balcony, a ladder, or a cliff). In a hot air balloon, you literally float in the air, with no contact with a fixed point. A hot air balloon moves gently, without vibrations or jolts. There is no disturbance to the inner ear (the balance organ), which prevents the sensation of vertigo.

Note: Some people may still experience motion sickness (kinetosis), but this is not the same as vertigo caused by heights… But honestly, with over 10,000 passengers under his belt, our pilot-owner Martin has never had anyone experience vertigo. NO ONE!

We’ve had passengers before who said they were afraid of getting dizzy but still decided to take the plunge and fly with us. We had no hesitation in welcoming them on board, and it only took a few minutes for them to settle in after takeoff—they immediately began to enjoy the flight. All passengers are so surprised to realize just how comfortable, calm, and even completely serene the atmosphere is. They’re surprised and so excited that they dared to board and didn’t let their fears get the better of them. It’s an accomplishment for them, while also fulfilling a dream that allowed them to experience an incredible adventure they never imagined they’d be able to have.

So if we go by the statistics, your chances of getting vertigo are practically zero, right?

In our experience, most people are actually afraid of being afraid—scientifically known as phobophobia—which is a psychological mechanism where we tend to dread the physical and emotional symptoms associated with anxiety or a panic attack. People who are afraid of being afraid anticipate their fear, anticipate losing control, and anticipate feeling unwell even before it can happen. It has nothing to do with vertigo!