About Us
Our team at Napa Valley Balloons and our parent company, Balloons Pacific, have dedicated our professional lives to offering unparalleled service and comfort while soaring over some of the most picturesque travel destinations and popular wine country regions in the West.
Explore our additional ballooning launch sites to plan a hot air balloon adventure in Sonoma, Napa, Calistoga, Healdsburg, Sacramento Valley, Lake Tahoe or Carson Valley.
In the Community
We provide industry-leading pay and benefits, giving us the first choice of the industry's top talent. As Napa Valley locals, all of our pilots are well-versed in sharing a love of our community and insider tips on getting the most out of your wine country trip.
Safety
Thanks to state-of-the-art balloons and expert pilots, Napa Valley Balloons has flown more guests without major incidents than any other regional operator. While we service all balloons in the region, we pride ourselves on setting the gold standard with our fleet.
Acclaim
We are the original hot air balloon company still operating in Napa Valley and are rated the #1 balloon ride in Napa Valley on TripAdvisor. Our long-lasting reputation has granted us the immense honor of flying foreign officials, political leaders and celebrities.
Our Pilots
Bob Swanson - Pilot
Bob Swanson has been a commercial hot air balloon pilot for 39 years and has logged over 9,100 hours of flight time. He considers himself fortunate to have flown throughout the western United States, Austria, Italy, France, Turkey and the Swiss Alps.
Mike Eakins - Pilot
As a former World Champion skydiver turned balloonist, Mike Eakins brings a unique level of experience to piloting that is unmatched in the industry. Mike has logged over 3,000 hours of flight time and feels completely at home in the skies over Napa Valley.
Chris Jones - Pilot
Chris Jones has flown on three continents during his career, including participation in major balloon festivals at home and abroad. Chris has flown in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Switzerland and many of North America's major destination, but, in his opinion, "nothing beats Napa Valley."
Chad Eckerman - Pilot
As a young child, Chad Eckerman's love for all things aviation was ignited by his father, a retired Navy pilot and flight instructor. His love for ballooning is contagious. If you're in need of some inspiration, one flight with Chad will teach you that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.
Russ James - Pilot
Russ James' childhood dream of learning to fly a hot air balloon became a reality in 1991. As a commercial hot air balloon pilot, Russ has flown in almost every major aviation destination in the western United States. His passion for ballooning is deep-rooted and he considers himself fortunate to spend thousands of hours in his favorite place...
the sky.
Our Napa Hot Air Balloon Experience
Your morning with begin at the Vintner’s Golf Club in Yountville where you will be greeted with a smile and introduced to your pilot. After being checked in and a brief orientation, guests are driven directly to one of our launch sites where they are met by a bustle of activity, the hum of the ination fans, lively colors and excitement as our hot air balloons gradually come to life.
Before the Flight
Your morning with begin at the Vintner’s Golf Club in Yountville where you will be greeted with a smile and introduced to your pilot.After being checked in and a brief orientation, guests are driven directly to one of our launch sites where they are met by a bustle of activity, the hum of the inflation fans, lively colors and excitement as our hot air balloons gradually come to life.
Smooth Sailing
Following the mild morning winds, you will glide over treetops casting sweeping shadows across meticulously tended rows of vines, all with stunning mountains in the distance. Even though your captain will eventually smoothly navigate back to the ground, we promise a piece of your heart stays in the Napa Valley skies.
Building a Legacy
This legacy has lasted over 44 years. Our long-lasting reputation has granted us the immense honor of flying foreign officials, political leaders and celebrities. From beautiful launch points to stunning views from above, there is no better venue for hot air balloon flights than Napa Valley. We pride ourselves on setting the gold standard with our fleet, hot air ballooning experience, and customer service.
Aerostat Society
Our team at Napa Valley Balloons and our parent company, Balloons Pacific, have dedicated our professional lives to offering unparalleled service and comfort while soaring over some of the most picturesque travel destinations and popular wine country regions in the West.
Explore our additional ballooning launch sites to plan a hot air balloon adventure in Sonoma, Napa, Calistoga, Healdsburg, Sacramento Valley, Lake Tahoe or Carson Valley.
A Business was Born
Our team at Napa Valley Balloons and our parent company, Balloons Pacific, have dedicated our professional lives to offering unparalleled service and comfort while soaring over some of the most picturesque travel destinations and popular wine country regions in the West.
Explore our additional ballooning launch sites to plan a hot air balloon adventure in Sonoma, Napa, Calistoga, Healdsburg, Sacramento Valley, Lake Tahoe or Carson Valley.
A New Era
Our team at Napa Valley Balloons and our parent company, Balloons Pacific, have dedicated our professional lives to offering unparalleled service and comfort while soaring over some of the most picturesque travel destinations and popular wine country regions in the West.
Explore our additional ballooning launch sites to plan a hot air balloon adventure in Sonoma, Napa, Calistoga, Healdsburg, Sacramento Valley, Lake Tahoe or Carson Valley.
Napa Valley Balloons
We are the oldest and safest hot air balloon ride company still operating in Napa Valley and are rated the #1 balloon ride in Napa Valley on TripAdvisor. Our long-lasting reputation has granted us the immense honor of flying foreign officials, political leaders and celebrities.
