Your First Hot Air Balloon Flight: An Experience That Changes Everything

Hot Air Balloon Flights in Segovia: A Unique Experience from the Air

Riding in a hot air balloon is unlike any other kind of flight. The takeoff is smooth and gradual, and within minutes you find yourself observing the landscape from a completely new perspective, in silence and moving with the rhythm of the wind. Every flight is different, and what begins as a one-time experience can open the door to a much wider world: training, competitions, or even a new passion.

For many, it remains a unique memory. But others feel the curiosity to go one step further.

That’s where Globos Boreal comes in as a hot air balloon pilot school, guiding those who decide to turn that first experience into something more.

That was the case for Manuel, from Seville, who took his first flight in July 2022 in Aznalcóllar (Seville) as a passenger… and ended up taking the leap into training and piloting.

And also Fermín, who came from Argentina with the same curiosity: to discover what lies beyond the experience and learn to fly on his own.

From Passenger to Pilot: Real Stories That Begin in the Air

Each student arrives by a different path. Some discover the world of hot air balloons almost by chance. Others spend years searching for it. And there are also those who have it in their blood, as part of their environment or family tradition. But they all share something in common: that moment when they decide they don’t want to remain just passengers.

Manuel: when one experience sparks an idea

Manuel had no previous experience in the world of balloons. His story began like many others: with a single flight.

It was in July 2022, in Aznalcóllar (Seville). A one-time experience that, unexpectedly, changed the way he saw things.

“I loved the experience, and spontaneously the idea came to me that maybe I could pilot a balloon like that one…”

What started as simple curiosity began to take shape. Manuel started researching, looking for options… until he found Globos Boreal.

“I was searching online for hot air balloon pilot schools, and Boreal’s website was the one that caught my attention the most and gave me the most confidence.”

From the outside, it may seem easy, but he is clear about it:

“Yes, it’s difficult. You not only have to acquire technical knowledge, but also develop flight skills and take on the responsibility that comes with it.”

Even so, something outweighs the difficulty:

“I love the experience of flying in a balloon, and it offers me a professional opportunity that I personally value.”

Fermín: Crossing an Ocean to Fulfill a Dream

Fermín’s story begins in 2018, in Merlo (Argentina), when he took his first hot air balloon flight as part of the “Flying High for Kids” project, an initiative that traveled around the world and, during its visit to the country, introduced him to this way of flying.

But for him, it was more than just a one-time experience.

“The connection with nature, the calm, teamwork, freedom… these are some of the perfect ingredients for happiness, and hot air ballooning undoubtedly brings them all together.”

That feeling marked a turning point. Over time, he decided to take the next step and train as a pilot, starting a journey that would take him far from home.

His connection with Globos Boreal came through a French pilot, a mutual friend, who encouraged him to make the leap.

“Today, Boreal is my ballooning family.”

For Fermín, becoming a pilot goes far beyond the technical side:

“More than ‘difficult,’ it’s a decision. It’s a constant learning process to develop composure and confidence in decision-making.”

He even describes it as a philosophy:

“It’s a way of life where it’s important to live fully in the present, remember what has been done in the past, and anticipate what will happen in the future.”

His motivation is clear and deeply personal:

“To fulfill my lifelong dream: to fly when I’m not drawing.”

Two different stories, two very different paths.
But one thing in common: taking the step.

Because becoming a hot air balloon pilot doesn’t begin in the air… it begins with a decision.

What Training Is Like: What You Need and How Long It Takes

Drawing of a hot air balloon basket by Fermín Peluffo, Globos Boreal student and illustrator.

Taking the step from passenger to pilot is not as far off as many people imagine. Becoming a hot air balloon pilot is an accessible process, but it requires commitment, consistency, and, above all, a passion for flying.

At Globos Boreal, as a hot air balloon pilot school, we guide each student along that path, adapting the training to their pace and previous experience.

In Spain, the training is regulated and combines two fundamental parts: theory and practice.

On the one hand, there is the theoretical part, where students acquire the knowledge needed to fly safely:

• Meteorology (essential for understanding the wind and making decisions)
• Air navigation
• Regulations and aviation law
• Balloon operation and maintenance

But where the real magic begins is in the practical side.

The training includes real flight hours, where students actively take part in the entire process: from assembling the balloon to takeoff, navigation, and landing. It’s not just about flying, but about learning to interpret the environment at every moment.

As for the time required, there is no single fixed answer. It depends on each person’s availability and pace, but typically the process is completed over several months, combining progressive training with real flight experience.

Many students start with no previous experience at all. The only thing truly needed is the desire to learn and respect the environment in which you fly.

And it’s during this process that something interesting happens: what begins as curiosity gradually turns into knowledge… and knowledge into confidence.

Take the Step: Your First Flight Starts Here

All stories have one thing in common: a first flight.

Sometimes it’s a gift, other times a long-awaited experience, or simply something that happens without much planning. But in many cases, that moment marks the beginning of something bigger.

Because flying in a hot air balloon is not just an activity. It’s a different way of understanding time, your surroundings, and yourself.

Some keep it as a memory.
Others, like Manuel or Fermín, decide to go further.

And, interestingly, there are even those who take the step without ever having flown before.

When that happens and people ask us, we always recommend the same: come and fly first, experience it from the inside, and if you decide to continue, that flight will be deducted from the training course.

If you’ve ever felt that curiosity, if you’ve wondered what it would be like to be on the other side, to make decisions in the air or to be part of a flight team… this might be your moment.

No previous experience is needed. Just the desire to learn, to live something different, and to let yourself be carried —at first— by the wind.

The rest can be learned.

And if you’re ready to take that first step, we’ll be happy to guide you along the way.