Hero Balloon Flights Dubai

Founded in 2005 as Balloon Adventures Dubai and now trading as Hero Balloon Flights, this company has the longest track record of any hot-air balloon operator in the city. It is part of Hero Experiences Group, which also runs the Platinum Heritage desert safaris, and its pilots share more than 120 years of combined experience. Flights take off over the desert of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where the dunes, gravel plains and wildlife look quite different from above.

Flights operate daily during the season, which runs from 1 October to 31 May, outside the hottest months. They are timed for sunrise, when the air is calmest and coolest, so expect a very early start. Once airborne, the balloon drifts quietly over the dunes as the sun comes up, with wide views across the conservation reserve. Pilots explain the landscape and the flight as you go, and the silence between burns of the burner is part of the magic.

Two main options are offered. The Signature Experience is a shared flight that includes an in-flight falcon show, with a falcon flying alongside the basket, and a breakfast curated by a Michelin-starred chef after landing. The Private Experience is an exclusive flight for couples or small groups marking a special occasion. Both can be booked through the Reserve Now button on the website, by phone on +971 4 412 6333 or by WhatsApp message on +971 54 425 4995.

Ballooning is weather-dependent, and flights may be cancelled at short notice if winds are too strong; ask about the rebooking policy when you reserve. Check age, height and health requirements before booking, as the basket involves climbing in and out and standing for the flight. Wear layers, as desert mornings can be cool in winter, and flat, closed shoes. The experience is at the premium end of Dubai's tours, so it is best suited to celebrations, honeymoons and travellers ticking off a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The company's office is at 1303 Control Tower in Motor City. Flights start in the desert east of the city, and the morning ends in time for a late breakfast or lunch back in Dubai, leaving the rest of the day free for sightseeing.