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For several years now, I’ve been involved in the ballooning world, sharing the daily lives of pilots who are deeply passionate about their profession. For them, flying a hot-air balloon is not just a job, it’s a way of life. Flying as often as possible, feeling the wind, reading the landscape, discovering Switzerland from the sky. Every time we take off, we feel the same joy and adrenalin, just like on our first flight.
A passion handed down from generation to generation
The majority of our balloon pilots are sons or daughters of pilots. At Ballons du Léman, passion is passed down from generation to generation, often from childhood. This world of ballooning, still unknown to the general public, is almost like a hidden universe. You don’t learn at school that you can become a hot-air balloon pilot, let alone make it a profession in its own right.
Flight after flight, our pilots make thousands of passengers dream. Above all, ballooning is about sharing the sky, adventure and emotion. With each flight, a bond is created between the pilot and his passengers, for a moment suspended above Switzerland. To better understand what drives us every day, you can also discover our founding pillars.
A demanding profession at the service of your safety
Behind the poetry of Flight lies a very concrete reality. The life of a hot-air balloon pilot involves waking up in the middle of the night, staying up late, working days dictated by the weather, and constant vigilance. Schedules change, fatigue can set in, and preparing for a flight requires rigor and anticipation.
Our pilots are trained, licensed and regularly assessed. Before each Flight, they analyze the weather conditions, choose the most suitable take-off area and make all the necessary decisions to guarantee passenger safety and comfort. In flight, they remain attentive to wind, terrain and landing options. Their experience and calm are at the heart of your peace of mind. To find out more about the structure behind them, please visit the Ballons du Léman company page.
Despite the thousands of questions they’ve already heard, our pilots always take the time to answer them with a smile. Whether it’s a question of technique, weather, choice of flying region or their route. Passion is their driving force: if it were to disappear, they wouldn’t belong in a gondola.
Hot-air balloon pilots anchored in Switzerland
Ballons du Léman pilots are intimately familiar with the regions in which they fly. Lake Geneva, the Pre-Alps, the Alps, the Fribourg valleys, the Lavaux vineyards or the Jura mountains. Each flight zone corresponds to a particular interpretation of the landscape. It’s this detailed knowledge of the territory that enables us to offer varied flights adapted to the conditions of the day.
During a Flight, you’ll discover not only the magic of hot-air ballooning, but also a professional’s view of Switzerland. Our pilots are happy to share anecdotes and explanations of the landforms and villages they fly over, as well as tips on how to prolong the experience on the ground. To put faces to these stories, please visit our team page.
Passion is our guiding principle. At Ballons du Léman, we are first and foremost a team of people who are passionate about ballooning, and who want to share this passion all year round through hot-air balloon flights in Switzerland.
FAQ – Our balloon pilots
Ballons du Léman pilots are licensed professionals, often from pilots’ families, with many years’ experience in hot-air ballooning. They are based in Switzerland and supervised by a company specializing in balloon flights. To find out more about our team, please visit our team page.
Becoming a hot-air balloon pilot requires specific training, dozens of flight hours, theoretical and practical exams, and a license issued by the relevant authorities. It’s a demanding path that requires time, rigor and a real passion for aviation and the weather.
Yes, safety is at the heart of their profession. Our pilots undergo initial and ongoing training, adhere to strict procedures and analyze weather conditions every day before deciding on a flight. They are also trained in emergency procedures and the choice of suitable landing zones, in line with Ballons du Léman company requirements.
Yes, our pilots love to share their passion. You can ask them questions about how the balloon works, how they fly, the weather or the landscapes they fly over. They’ll be happy to answer them, as far as the flight situation allows.
Our pilots fly in several regions of Switzerland, including Lake Geneva, the Pre-Alps, the Alps, the Jura and the canton of Fribourg. To find out more, please visit our page dedicated to our flying regions.