Is a hot air balloon ride near Mexico City safe?

What a legal balloon operator must have

• An AFAC operating permitThe company needs authorisation from the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil to carry paying passengers.
• Operations under NOM-008-SCT3-2002This Mexican official standard sets how balloon operations run: briefing, boarding, weather limits and landing.
• Passenger and third-party insuranceActive cover for passengers and for people or property on the ground.
• A commercial balloon licenceA private licence does not allow a pilot to sell seats to tourists.
• Documented maintenanceEnvelope, burners, fuel system and basket follow a maintenance schedule with a logbook.

How we handle the weather

The pilot in command reads the wind on the launch field at first light, before the crew inflates the envelope. Above 10 km/h of surface wind (about 6 mph) the balloon stays on the ground. The pilot can also cancel below that line if the air aloft looks wrong. When the weather grounds the flight, you reschedule for free, with no limit.

Who should not fly

• Children under 5 years old.
• Pregnant travelers, at any stage of pregnancy.
• Travelers with a heart condition or recent surgery should ask their doctor first and tell us before booking.

During checkout we ask each traveler's weight. The pilot uses it to balance the basket and plan the fuel.

Questions to ask any operator before you pay

1. Can you show the AFAC permit and the aircraft registration?
2. Which company insures the passengers, and for how much?
3. What wind limit do you use, and who makes the call?
4. What happens to my money if the weather cancels the flight?
5. How many passengers ride in each basket?

Our answers

AFAC-certified pilots fly every basket. Passenger insurance comes with every ticket. The wind limit is 10 km/h on the launch field, and the pilot makes the call. Weather cancellations move your flight for free. Shared baskets carry up to 16 travelers, and the private balloon carries only your group of 2 to 8.