Hero Balloon Flights Dubai is the renamed Balloon Adventures Dubai, a GCAA-licensed operator flying sunrise balloons over the desert from 1 October to 31 May. Its own site shows two adult prices for the same Signature Experience, AED 1,695 and AED 1,995, so confirm the total before you pay.
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Fact-check sheet
8 checks against the operator’s own website and public records, 15 November 2026. Not a rating.
Regulator or licence namedYesLicensed by the GCAA, Air Operator's Certificate AT-0024.
Prices publishedUnclearSignature Experience: AED 1,695 adult / AED 1,395 child on the home and product pages; AED 1,995 / AED 1,500 in the FAQ.
Age & weight limits statedYesNo flying under age 7, when pregnant, after major surgery or a broken limb in the last 6 months, or with chronic back or neck pain; over 60 needs an extra waiver.
Cancellation terms clearUnclearFAQ: free up to 24 hours before, no refund under 18 hours; product page: full refund up to 18 hours before pick-up.
Weather policy statedYesFlight cancelled for weather: rebooked or fully refunded; fog or wind can move breakfast before the flight.
Photo / video terms clearNoNo photo or video terms stated on the pages read.
Exact location publishedYesPick-up anywhere in Dubai or at The Dubai Outlet Mall's Dome Entrance; flights over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
Bookable on Headout / GYG / KlookUnclearNo partner listing confirmed as this operator's; the site sells direct with a best price guarantee.
4 yes · 1 no · 3 unclear
Operator file
Website (not linked)
uae.heroballoonflights.com (ballooning.ae)
Company
Hero Balloon Flights Dubai, part of Hero Experiences Group; formerly Balloon Adventures Dubai
Base
Flights over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve; pick-up from Dubai
What it sells
Signature Experience (shared basket, 45-60 minute sunrise flight, desert drive, breakfast); private flights from AED 12,950 for two
Published prices
Signature adult AED 1,695 / child AED 1,395 (home and product pages) or AED 1,995 / AED 1,500 (FAQ), November 2026
Age & weight
No children under 7 (child rate 7-11); no pregnant guests; over 60 with an extra waiver
Days & hours
Daily at sunrise, 1 October to 31 May
Cancellation
Full refund up to 18 hours before pick-up (product page) or free up to 24 hours before (FAQ); no refund under 18 hours or for no-shows
Licences & affiliations
GCAA, Air Operator's Certificate AT-0024
From the operator’s own website and public listings, checked 15 November 2026.
Who flies these balloons
Hero Balloon Flights Dubai is the new name of Balloon Adventures Dubai. The company says it took the name of its parent, Hero Experiences Group, and has operated since 2005. Its about page states that it is licensed by the General Civil Aviation Authority under Air Operator's Certificate AT-0024. The old address, ballooning.ae, now shows the same content as uae.heroballoonflights.com.
Flights take off at sunrise over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The operator says it is the only balloon company with permission to fly there. The season runs daily from 1 October to 31 May. Outside it there are no flights, because balloons need cool morning air.
Two prices on one site
The shared product is the Signature Experience. On 15 November 2026 the price depended on which page you read:
Page
Adult
Child (7 to 11)
Home page and Signature Experience page
AED 1,695
AED 1,395
FAQ
AED 1,995
AED 1,500
The FAQ may be out of date, or the lower figure may be a promotion. The site does not say which. Pay on the basis of the total on the booking screen, and screenshot it. Private flights start from AED 12,950 for two guests.
The price covers a lot more than the flight: pick-up and drop-off in Dubai, coffee and dates, a drone show, the 45 to 60-minute flight, a desert drive in vintage Land Rovers, breakfast and a short camel ride. The whole trip takes 5 to 6 hours. Pick-up is between 03:30 and 05:30 according to the FAQ, or between 3 and 5 am according to the product page. The exact time is sent the day before. Online bookings close at 5 pm the day before.
Cancellation and weather
There are two cancellation windows here too. The FAQ says you can cancel free up to 24 hours before, and that there is no refund under 18 hours or for a no-show. The product page promises a full refund for bookings cancelled up to 18 hours before pick-up. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead and both rules are met.
The pilots decide on the morning whether conditions allow a flight. If Hero cancels for weather, you can rebook another day or take a full refund. If fog or wind delays take-off, the order changes: breakfast first, then the flight.
Who cannot fly
The FAQ lists who cannot fly: pregnant guests, children younger than 7, anyone with major surgery or a broken arm or leg in the last 6 months, and anyone with chronic back or neck pain. Adults over 60 fly only after signing an extra waiver. We found no weight limit or photo terms on the pages we read. If either matters to you, ask before booking.
Balloon or skydive
A balloon flight is slow and quiet, up to 4,000 ft according to the FAQ. A tandem leaves the plane at up to 13,000 ft and is in freefall within seconds. The balloon has no BMI rule like the skydive, and it takes children from 7, so it suits families and anyone who fails the skydive requirements. Balloon trips on partner platforms, with their own operators and prices, are on our hot air balloon page. The alternatives page compares all the ways to fly.
Questions people ask
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Dubai with Hero?
The home and Signature Experience pages show AED 1,695 per adult and AED 1,395 per child; the FAQ says AED 1,995 and AED 1,500 (both seen 15 November 2026). The booking total is the figure that counts.
When is the hot air balloon season in Dubai?
Hero flies daily from 1 October to 31 May, weather permitting, because balloons need cool air to take off.
What is the minimum age?
Children younger than 7 cannot fly. Ages 7 to 11 pay the child rate, and adults over 60 must sign an additional waiver.
How high does the balloon fly?
The FAQ says up to 4,000 ft over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The flight lasts 45 to 60 minutes and the whole trip 5 to 6 hours.
What happens if the flight is cancelled for weather?
Hero rebooks you on another day or refunds in full, and tries to tell you the day before.
