United Arab Emirates
A shared seat costs AED 1,099 with Balloon Flights over the Margham desert or AED 1,695 with Hero over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Hero flies only from October 1 to May 31, when the air is cool enough.
| Operator | What you get | From | Length | Group | Min age | Weight limit | Cancellation | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balloon Flights - Magical Morning With Sharing TransferIncludes 4x4 shared transfer within Dubai city centre, Pre-flight refreshments at the Majlis, Balloon ride of up to 60 minutes, Breakfast, Flight certificate |
AED 1,099 |
up to 60 minutes in the air; total length not stated |
up to 28 guests in each of its two large balloons, 10 in the third (Gulf News, April 2023); minimum 2 passengers to fly |
Children under five not permitted; no one over 70 | 119 kg; heavier guests need pilot approval and pay an extra charge | Full refund if cancelled 72+ hours before; no refund for late cancellations. Weather cancellation: next available date or full refund. | Check dates | |
Balloon Flights - Exotic Sunrise - With Breakfast and Sharing TransferIncludes 4x4 shared transfer within Dubai city centre, Pre-flight refreshments at the Majlis, Balloon ride of up to 60 minutes, International buffet breakfast at the Majlis, Camel ride, Flight certificate |
AED 1,199 |
up to 60 minutes in the air; total length not stated |
Minimum 2 passengers to fly |
Children under five not permitted; no one over 70 | 119 kg; heavier guests need pilot approval and pay an extra charge | Full refund if cancelled 72+ hours before; no refund for late cancellations. Weather cancellation: next available date or full refund. | Check dates | |
Signature ExperienceIncludes Shared air-conditioned pickup and drop-off in Dubai, Arabic coffee and dates at the take-off site, Sunrise balloon flight, Falcon show, Short drive in a 1950s Land Rover to a royal desert retreat, Breakfast designed by a Michelin-starred chef, Short camel ride |
AED 1,695 per adult |
Approximately 5 hours total, 45 to 60 minutes in the air |
7+ (children under 7 cannot fly) | Full refund up to 18 hours before pickup. Weather cancellation: another date or full refund. | Check dates | |||
Private ExperienceIncludes Private pickup and drop-off in a Land Rover Defender 130, Arabic coffee and dates at the take-off site, Private balloon flight with pilot and in-flight storyteller, In-flight falcon show, Breakfast in a private cabana at a desert oasis, Short camel ride |
AED 12,950 per group |
Approximately 5 hours total |
from 2 guests; private vehicle holds up to 6 |
7+ (FAQ) | Full refund up to 18 hours before pickup. Weather cancellation: another date or full refund. | Check dates |
From each operator's own website, checked October 21, 2026. How we compare.
Hero Balloon Flights takes off inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which it says no other balloon operator may use, with the Hajar mountains behind the sunrise. The reserve covers 225 km² (87 sq mi), about 5% of the emirate, and calls itself the UAE's first national park. It protects the UAE's biggest wild herd of Arabian oryx, along with Arabian and sand gazelles.
Balloon Flights launches from its facility at the Skydive Desert Drop Zone and flies over the Margham desert, landing wherever the wind allows that day. Gulf News reported in 2023 that it runs three balloons: the A6WOW and A6OMG, which carry up to 28 guests each, and the 10-seat A6FUN. Both companies list climbs to about 4,000 ft, and Khaleej Times described oryx, gazelles and camels below on a 2021 flight.
Hero collects guests anywhere in Dubai, or at the Dome Entrance of The Dubai Outlet Mall, and sends the time the day before because take-off comes before sunrise. Its product page gives a 3 am to 5 am window and its FAQ 3:30 am to 5:30 am. Arabic coffee and dates are served at the take-off site, and flights last 45 to 60 minutes, with falconry and storytelling on board, in an outing of about 5 hours.
After landing, Hero's product page has guests ride vintage 1950s Land Rovers to a royal desert retreat for a breakfast designed by a Michelin-starred chef, then take a short camel ride. Balloon Flights sends pickup times by WhatsApp between 7:00 and 8:30 pm the evening before, starts with refreshments in its majlis and serves breakfast after the flight. Gulf News also listed tandem skydive jumps to watch and a photo session with a falcon.
Hero flies daily from October 1 to May 31, weather permitting, and says its balloons can only lift off in cool air, which limits it to the cooler months. Khaleej Times reported in 2021 that Hero's flights started in September and paused for the summer from June. Balloon Flights' listings on Visit Dubai, the city's official booking site, give no season, so check summer dates with the company.
Both companies leave the weather call to their pilots, and a cancelled flight gets another date or a full refund. Hero tries to warn guests the day before. When fog or strong wind holds things up at the site, Hero serves breakfast first and then decides whether to fly, after sunrise, without shortening the outing. The desert is cold before dawn from December to February, so Hero suggests something warm, plus a hat and sunglasses for later.
Balloon Flights is the cheaper choice. Its Visit Dubai listings start at AED 1,099 for a shared 4x4 transfer, majlis refreshments, up to 60 minutes aloft, breakfast and a certificate. A version with an international buffet and a camel ride starts at AED 1,199. Neither listing says whether the price is per adult or per person. Photos and videos cost extra, and a booking needs at least two passengers.
Hero Balloon Flights charges AED 1,695 per adult and AED 1,395 for children aged 7 to 11 on its product page, though its FAQ shows AED 1,995 and AED 1,500. Its Private Experience starts at AED 12,950 for two, with a Land Rover Defender 130 transfer, a private balloon with pilot and storyteller, and breakfast in a private cabana at a desert oasis. Online bookings close at 5 pm the day before.
Balloon Flights bars children under 5, anyone over 70 and pregnant guests, and caps weight at 119 kg unless the pilot approves a surcharge. It also needs ID plus an online waiver with a passport image 24 hours ahead. Hero bars children under 7, pregnant guests and anyone with recent major surgery or chronic back or neck pain, and asks over-60s to sign an extra waiver. Hero's product page refunds cancellations up to 18 hours before pickup; Balloon Flights needs 72 hours.
from AED 1,099
Balloon Flights - Magical Morning With Sharing Transfer and 1 more option
Launches from the Skydive Desert Drop Zone and flies over the Margham Desert
from AED 1,695 per adult
Signature Experience and 1 more option
Says it is the only balloon operator permitted to fly in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Prices and policies come from each operator's own pages, read on October 21, 2026. Seasons, rules and local details come from the pages below.