Finally booked a morning flight on our 3rd winter visit to Phoenix - on Valentine’s Day. Pickup @ Deer Trail Airport went smoothly but it WAS before sunrise. Glad for the chance to use the airport toilets before the drive north near to Carefree. The transport & crew were in good communication during our 45 min drive & the launch zone had about a dozen balloons of several commercial & private owners at various stages of prep & launch when we arrived. Our middle-of-the-pack position gave us a great view & photos of their color, routes & capabilities.
Our pilot was on one of his training flights for a commercial license, so we had a second commercially-licensed pilot. We used a 12-person basket, but had 9 passengers. It was cozy, but we were able to see everything we wanted to.
It was SPECTACULAR! Early clouds gave way to clearing skies, & the desert (& balloons) glowed with color. Our two pilots explained the ballooning process, the terrain & ecology, & answered all our questions. It was a long (1 3/4 hrs) ride & exciting landing. We REALLY got our money’s worth! The breakfast in the desert after landing was perfect - croissants, cheese, apples, orange juice, mimosas & champagne if desired. The pilot texted us charts of our path & elevation, which helped us to better appreciate our journey. We were exuberant by the time we were dropped off back at Deer Trail Airport.
In summary, there’s a reason why Hot Air Expeditions has endured and is so popular. They deliver a reliable, exciting, and reasonably-priced balloon experience with highly competent, enthusiastic staff.
Réponse de l'hôte
Mar 2020
Hello PrairiePaula,
Thank you so much for your review! It's fantastic to hear that both captains ensured that your flight was fun and informative. We are always thrilled to hear that our staff makes our guests feel comfortable, and well taken care of.
Thank you again, and hope to see you among the clouds again soon!