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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How Much Does A Hot Air Balloon Generally Cost?
Before purchasing, understanding the financial implications of owning a hot air balloon is crucial. The cost is influenced by factors such as the size of the balloon, the materials used, and whether it is new or used.
Key Takeaway
The cost of a hot air balloon depends on size, materials, and whether it is new or used. New balloons range from $20,000 to $60,000, and used balloons range from $10,000 to $25,000.
Summary
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- Hot air balloons come in various sizes and materials, affecting the price.
- New hot air balloons are more expensive than used ones.
- New balloons, depending on size, cost from $20,000 to $60,000. Small balloons for two people cost around $20,000, medium balloons for 4-6 people cost $30,000-$40,000, and giant balloons for 16+ people can exceed $60,000.
- Used hot air balloons can range from $10,000 to $25,000.
- The report also details FireFly Balloons as an example of a hot air balloon manufacturer and provides cost examples for different sizes of their balloons.
Are you a balloon enthusiast? Do you wish to buy a hot-air balloon of your own? Do you not want to overstep your budget? If that is the case, you must want to know how much a hot-air balloon generally costs.
You could either buy a new balloon from the assembly line or you could buy different parts. The latter would require you to assemble the whole balloon after purchasing.
Let us look into the different hot air balloon buying options and the most popular balloon cost.
Cost Of Buying a New Hot Air Balloon
Buying hot air balloons fresh from the manufacturer is an expensive ordeal, but the balloon will be yours. A new balloon will not require maintenance, which slightly masks the low cost of a used one.
The right approach to buying a new hot air balloon is to approach manufacturers and get their cost quotes. For this section, we will give cost examples of balloons of the highest quality and ready to fly after purchase.
FireFly Balloons
FireFly Balloons have been in operation since 1972. They are proud of their legacy since they are based in North Carolina, known for its craftsmanship.
If you’re new to hot air balloons, FireFly balloons are great for you. They are easy to customize, repair, and assemble.
They offer some exemplary full-system options that are great for learners and experts alike. We have looked into the cost of some of FireFly Balloons’ best products.
FireFly 7B
The Firefly 7B is a compact, straightforward balloon that experienced pilots can appreciate. However, it is most appropriate for beginners.
This balloon stands at 57 feet on inflation and has only 12 gores. The 4.0 triangular basket can house 3 fuel tanks and 2-3 passengers.
This balloon will cost about $26,000 if you get the 90 cut for the envelope and a 4.0 basket.
FireFly 8
FireFly 8 is a huge balloon with plenty of space and a great lift. It can be deemed a party balloon and is great if you want to enjoy a ride with all your friends.
When fully inflated, the balloon stands at 67 feet and has 24 gores. It weighs 2450 lbs. This hot air balloon works great with most of the company’s huge baskets.
A brand-new FireFly 8, along with s, spiral cuts, and a 6.0 basket, will cost you about $39,500. This balloon is on the expensive side of the scale, and you should only invest in it if you are sure about it.
FireFly 10
If you thought the FireFly 8 was a giant balloon, you would be surprised by the size of the following balloons. The FireFly 10 usually comes attached by the company’s larger baskets and has a 36-gore envelope.
This balloon’s lift can handle high altitudes and difficult conditions without qualms. With a 6072 or a 6096 basket, this balloon can carry many passengers at once. This is an excellent option for carrying more passengers than an average flier.
Since this balloon is so huge, it is definitely on the higher side of the price scale. With a 5.0 basket, it costs about $49,500.
FireFly 11B
Now, we are getting to the more enormous balloons the company sells. With 36 gores, this hot air balloon stands at 84 feet when fully inflated.
This is an excellent balloon for a ride service since it is compatible with a 5.0 basket and can carry many passengers. However, the 5.0 is on the smaller side of the baskets that you can use.
Because of its huge size, you can make the most out of it with huge baskets sold by the company.
This balloon might not be as durable as the FireFly 10, but it can carry a lot of people at once. Since this utility is used as a professional service, the cost of the balloon seems genuine.
With the larger 6096 baskets, a new FireFly 11B balloon will cost you about $51,500.
FireFly 12B
This one is the largest balloon that FireFly manufactures. This is a huge balloon that stands at 86 feet at total inflation and weighs about 3940 lbs.
Its huge size is only compatible with the 60120 baskets, which are humongous in themselves. The basket is 5 feet wide and 10 feet long and requires 6 fuel tanks to reach the air.
The only sensible reason for buying this balloon is for professional services so that you can get something out of it.
This balloon will also require a huge trailer to be transported from one place to another. The price of this balloon, along with the compatible basket, is about $66,000.
Cameroon Balloons
Cameroon Balloons is on top of the Hot Air Balloon industry. Both Cameroon UK and Cameroon US are ubiquitous companies in their areas.
This company can manufacture a wide variety of hot air balloons, from sporty to leisure, personal to advertising.
If you have been into hot air balloons for some time, you must have heard of or flown a Cameroon Balloon!
Since Cameroons Balloons provides a variety of creative combinations to choose from, which is why you should call the company directly to get a quote.
O-Type
The O-Type balloons provide a fusion experience between the company’s balloons. They are versatile and rounded in both shape and functionality.
The O-Type only has 12 gores and is, therefore, relatively compact. However, given its size, it can carry a surprising number of passengers. This balloon, however, is excellent for advertising due to its excellent visibility.
N-Type
If marketing is your sole purpose in buying a hot air balloon, the N-Type will be an ideal choice. This balloon has three design options: 24 gore, 28 gore, and 32 gore.
This balloon’s only purpose is marketing, as its flat design allows images to be displayed in High Definition.
The balloon is easy to see because of its detailing. Depending on your design, it stands at 47 to 79 feet high when inflated. The decision solely comes down to you and the investment you want to make in marketing.
Viva
Viva is the opposite of the N-Type. This is because it is excellent for flying but is too small for advertising. This balloon is one of the smallest ones on this list since it has only 8 bulbous gores.
This is either a recreational or a sports balloon, depending on your definition of the two. It is easily transportable, compact, and has a great lift.
Do not be fooled by its size. This tiny balloon can carry many passengers and still gain good height. However, if it carried only one passenger, its power would be almost like that of a 600-horsepower Mustang.
With its great performance, this balloon has very little negative to say. It is incredible for a sporty adventure.
Lindstrand
This company from the USA has recently made a significant impact on the hot air balloon industry. Although it has only been operational for about 20 years, it is still highly trusted and reliable.
The company stands on the two great pillars of excellent customer service and engineering. Therefore, if you want to buy a hot air balloon from a personable company, you should surely choose this one.
Lindstrand pays excellent attention to detail with all its products, and no two balloons are similar. It stands by traditional organizational laws in manufacturing, while its business organization is unique. This company is truly one of a kind.
We have detailed the most popular envelope series by the company. You should get a quote from the company directly due to their creative pairing options.
A-Series
This primary beginner hot air balloon has 2 gore options—24 gores and 28 gores. The envelope’s design is great due to its horizontal cut. The company also considers the aesthetics of this balloon, offering over 22 color options.
The balloon that you choose is your decision. This balloon sits perfectly well with the company’s baskets.
Lindstrand’s basic Ascot basket goes perfectly well with the basic A-series envelopes, but you can get creative with the basket choice. Meanwhile, the Ascot has many color options as well.
This is your option if you’re a beginner looking for a basic, sturdy, and beautiful balloon.
E-Series
E-Series is a great budget-friendly balloon ideal for personal use. It is easy to manage, fly, and maintain. It pairs with the company’s unique tour basket.
This basket is great for smaller groups since even the larger one does not carry too many passengers. The E-Series is a great option if you are looking for a solo adventure.
X-Series
The name of this balloon envelope series is reminiscent of Star Wars for a reason. Its high-performance focus makes it fly like X-wings.
This balloon has a great history of competitive flying due to its aerodynamic design that cuts through the air. 11 of the past 12 US National Hot Air Balloon Champions and 4 of the last 6 World Champions flew the X-Series.
The fuel consumption efficiency of this balloon is commendable as well. Overall, this is a great balloon for expert, competitive balloonists.
Kubicek Balloons
Kubicek is a leading European hot air balloon manufacturing company in the Czech Republic. It has a long and steady history and growth.
Even though the balloon quality is incredible, the shipping costs are high, so the products will be expensive for anyone out of the Czech.
Kubicek is a highly successful and efficient company that constantly seeks ways to improve its workflow. Here, we will examine five of its incredibly powerful models.
Model E
The Model E balloon is light, cheap, small, and efficient—almost like the E stands for economical, efficient, and easy. The balloon is so compact that the bigger versions can hold three people. However, the standard size can only hold one.
This is an easy balloon to handle and fly, which makes it great for beginners. It is also easy to transport because of its compact size and easy to assemble because of its basic design.
Even though you will have to call the company for the price quote, let us warn you about the low cost. It will cost you at par or even less than most used balloons. However, the efficiency is not at stake because of the cost.
Model Z
The Model Z hot air balloon is the company’s all-purpose balloon that is flexible in size. The flexibility is that the smallest version can carry 3 passengers, while the biggest can carry up to 20.
The Model Z is at par with the Cameroon N-Type regarding advertising qualities. This has a great lift that can make your advertisement float higher than most and make it very visible. An even better advertising option is to fly potential customers in it.
The Model Z is pricier than the Model E; however, that largely depends on your chosen size. If you use this balloon for advertising, though, the investment will be worth it.
Model P
Here is the other commercial hot air balloon by the company. This balloon was engineered with ride services in mind. The durability and passenger-carrying ability of this balloon are off the charts.
The envelope has excellent graphics that can attract customers. It is also easy to repair.
If you’re a hot air balloon ride service provider that expects a high volume of passengers, this is great for you. Even the smallest version of this model carries 20 passengers, while the largest can carry 32.
This hot air balloon is very expensive. However, if you plan to use it commercially, as you should, it will undoubtedly reap the benefits of your investments.
eXtreme Racer
We now get to see the company’s versatility as we move on to its sports models. This balloon has decent speeds and an incredible ascent.
Even though this hot air balloon is not as powerful as Lindstrand’s X-series, it is still a formidable flyer. With a decent pilot, this balloon has also won its fair share of competition.
The balloon can carry two people—the pilot and the navigator. Its cost would be somewhere between the Model Z and Model P.
Super Sport
If you’re looking for a better sports balloon than the eXtreme Sport and like Kubicek’s designs, the Super Sport is an option. It is an incredibly well-designed hot-air balloon.
Even though its basic model is based on the eXtreme Sport, it has many additions and improvements to give it a competitive edge.
The passenger capacity is 4-8 more than the previous model. Even though Cameroon’s Viva gives good competition to this hot air balloon, the price of this one is excellent.
Ultramagic Balloons
Ultimate Balloons is Spain’s only manufacturer of hot-air balloons and claims to be the most innovative balloon manufacturer in the world.
The company exports balloons to many countries globally and organizes the European Balloons Festival.
They manufacture balloons of various colors, sizes, and shapes. The balloons by Ultramagic stick out and steal the show.
H Series
The H Series is a primary balloon that is great for new pilots. It is durable and very budget-friendly. This balloon’s delivery time is very short because it is always in stock, as it is Ultramagic’s most popular product.
It is the company’s most tested and oldest product.
M Series
The M Series is a flashy balloon that is good for advertising. It is an artistic balloon. However, there are better options out there. Due to its flashiness, the M Series is a great product for balloon festivals and beauty contests.
Since it is a relatively small hot air balloon, it has a passenger capacity of 2 to 7. However, it is good for cheaper advertising.
N Series
The N Series is suitable for displaying more prominent logos. It is also good for ride service as it has a better passenger capacity than its competition.
You can choose between the 28 and 32 gores options, but the balloon offers a great lift regardless of your choice.
Ultramagic is known for its balloon safety, and the N Series boasts it. This makes it better for balloon ride companies since passenger safety is crucial to them. This balloon also stands a little cheaper than its competition.
T Series
The T Series is essentially half the N Series. It has the same design and craft but half the passenger capacity of the N Series. At most, this hot air balloon can carry 11 passengers.
The T Series has the N Series’s power and efficiency, but you can get it cheaply. It is excellent for small hot air balloon riding services companies that do not expect too many passengers.
The Racer
Believe it or not, The Racer is, in a broad sense, the pioneer of racing hot air balloons. Even though many companies have created better models now, it is still the baseline and a highly competitive balloon.
Even though this balloon might not stand a chance against its competitors, it is suitable for anyone who wants to have a good time in a mighty balloon. The Racer is pricier than other Ultramagic Balloons but doesn’t cost other racing balloons.
Buying a Used Hot Air Balloon
One crucial aspect of buying used balloons is checking the quality of the balloon personally. Even though most balloons are resold through personal connections, you can also find advertisements for them.
Even though the quality of used balloons is not as good as new ones, they’re usually still great for flying on purchase. A used balloon is an excellent option if you do not wish to use it for ultra-commercial purposes.
This is because you will get a higher-end product that you would have initially got on the same budget.
Buying used hot air balloons is advisable for people just starting the hot air balloon venture. Getting a cheaper but reliable balloon will help them understand what a suitable balloon requires and what it is made of.
They can buy their own new hot air balloon later if they wish to.
Below are some popular and used hot air balloons sold through reliable sources.
Cameron A-120
The Cameron A-Type balloons are perfect passenger balloons for several seasons. The Cameron A-120 is no exception to this bandwagon. With 20 gores, this model has a great lift and can carry more than 20 passengers. It stands at 65 feet tall when fully inflated.
Due to its construction and size, the Cameron A-120 is sure to grab many people’s attention. It is truly a piece of art.
Cameron ZL-84 Racer
The Cameron ZL-84 Racer is a great racer balloon designed to be as aerodynamic as possible. Its vertical shape stands out with its 24 gores. When fully inflated, this balloon is 65 feet tall.
This racer balloon’s performance is such that it cuts through the air with ease. It is excellent for racing since it can only carry a navigator and pilot, reducing passengers’ weight.
Cameron Z-160
This hot air balloon has the most exciting envelope due to its intricate beauty. It is a massive balloon that stands 73 feet tall after being fully inflated. It has 24 gores, and the design is made with the most successful Cameron balloons as the model.
FireFly 8B
The FireFly 8 B’s uniquely cute gores are attention-grabbing. The company usually manufactures racing balloons, and this is one of its successful products.
With 18 gores and a total inflation height of 48 feet, this hot air balloon can be paired with several basket options. The FireFly 8B is very customizable. It costs $33,000.
FireFly 6B
The FireFly 6B is another testimony to FireFly’s quality. It is a great hot air balloon for personal use and competitions. It is good at maneuvering and can land very efficiently.
The FireFly 6B is a smaller version of the FireFly 8B, but it does not lack the latter’s goodness.
When fully inflated, this medium-sized balloon stands at about 41 feet. It has 12 gores, which is comparatively less but does not compromise the quality of the hot air balloon.
It weighs about 1200 lbs and can carry 2 10-gallon LPG tanks.
This product is easy to repair and transport. It also provides good air privacy as it can only seat 2 passengers.
You can find used versions of this model at very low prices since most are from the 1990s. If the piece in question is well-maintained and in good condition, getting a price such as $24,500 for this balloon is great.
FireFly 7-15
If you are looking for a leisure ride with your friends or family and do not want to dig a hole in your pocket, look at a used FireFly 7-15.
This balloon is great for a friendly ride. It has a passenger capacity of about 4 people, is easy to transport, and can help you have a great time.
The Firefly 7-15 stands at about 47 feet when fully inflated. It can fit 2 10-gallon LPG tanks. The balloon’s size is ideal for a vacation and is supposed to be the most popular balloon size out there.
As mentioned with the previous balloon, FireFly used balloons are usually from the 1990s. This is because the company is very old and its products are exemplary in durability.
Taking a Chance with New Hot Air Balloon Purchase
In this article, you have read a comprehensive list of hot air balloons that you could buy fresh from the press or seasoned ballooners.
All the hot air balloons mentioned so far are products of reliable companies. These products can compete globally.
There is, however, another way of procuring new hot air balloons without doing anything sketchy. You can get cheap products online that are questionable in their reliability.
When you invest in these balloons, you cannot say what you will finally receive. You could either get a one-of-a-kind steal or a trash hot air balloon.
Buying such balloons is not advisable since the risk is too high. You cannot be sure about the safety of these hot air balloons.
You cannot even guarantee that these balloons will be able to fly. However, you will save a lot of money by buying from these manufacturers if the hot air balloon you get is of good quality.
Some of these balloons are very interesting. Since they are not associated with big companies, the manufacturers can get creative and take risks.
Some of these less expensive online hot air balloons are listed below. However, it is to be noted that you must buy these balloons at your own risk. Your luck could go either way.
Pluto
The cost of this product is highly debatable and variable. The Pluto hot air balloon was designed in 2018 and is considered a new design technology.
The balloon is inflatable and uses LPG to do so. Hot air balloons come in different colors and have the option of a customizable logo. They are also supposed to be very flashy.
The specifications of the basket are not mentioned. However, the manufacturer has clarified that the basket can carry 1 to 6 passengers, depending on the size you buy.
It seems easy to use, as the manufacturer says the inflation process is simple. All you need to do is “prepare the ground” and “power on the blower.” Honestly, this seems too easy to be accurate, and that is what it probably is—not true.
We cannot recommend this product; however, it might be a trap. You’ll have to risk it to know.
OEM
The OEM balloon’s pricing is more accurate. It can be bought for between $6,500 and $7,500.
This balloon is not as sketchy as Pluto. It has some legitimate details, but it does not mention being inflatable as a quality feature.
The balloon can hold 4 people. You also get to request customizability, as the product is versatile in its appearance. The need for tethering of this hot air balloon is ambiguous. How high it can fly is not mentioned either.
Shipping of this product might be a little expensive, though. Getting it shipped by air seems like the most sensible option.
You can reduce the shipping cost by collecting it from your nearest airport. However, if you do not care about the shipping price, keeping in mind the cheapness of the product bought, you can receive it at your doorstep in about a week.
This product evokes slightly more trust than the Pluto hot air balloon. However, the OEM’s reliability is also a big ‘what if.’
Baoluridies
The Baoluridies evoke just as much trust as the OEM. It is still very ambiguous, though. The Baoluridies is supposed to be able to carry about 4 passengers. It does not need to be tethered appropriately, bringing some unanswered questions.
The incredibility of this balloon is that “it is a very famous flying game in Turkey.” The balloon itself is an incredible flying game, which is mind-boggling. The question is, what game does the balloon itself serve?
The manufacturer claims it is a great hot air balloon with good lift and safety. However, we would recommend not blindly trusting the seller in this case. You must take a huge personal risk if you choose to buy it.
Limeiqi
Out of all the chance hot air balloons we have seen, Limeiqi might be the best. It has a weight-carrying capacity of 12 passengers and costs about $6,995.
Honestly, how this is possible is beyond anybody’s understanding. On paper, this hot air balloon seems like a good deal.
The listing mentions that this balloon is of standard size. If not mentioned, what exactly constitutes standard size? Maybe they consider 46 feet the standard size, just like FireFly. We cannot be sure about that.
Limeiqi has a 12-month warranty. That seems to be comforting. However, an average user would barely use a recreational balloon 3-4 times at the maximum in a year.
We say recreational since nobody should use these balloons for commercial purposes.
The company also claims to help you design your amusement park. The prospect of a hot-air balloon amusement park seems very safe.
Again, we cannot guarantee the safety and quality of this balloon. You can proceed to buy it, but at your own risk.
Wrapping Up
In discussing how much a hot air balloon generally costs, it is essential to note that the price tag attached to these floating wonders is largely contingent upon size, materials, and design customization.
For brand-new balloons, prospective buyers can anticipate prices ranging from $20,000 for smaller units capable of accommodating two people upwards to over $60,000 for more significant variants that can hold 16 or more passengers.
This cost escalates further if high-quality materials or intricate custom designs are requested.
However, used hot air balloons present a more affordable alternative for those looking for a more economical option, with prices ranging between $10,000 and $25,000.
The cost of a hot air balloon can vary greatly depending on several variables. Therefore, intending buyers should consider their specific needs and budget before purchasing.
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