The ticket:

Tickets and gift-vouchers are non-refundable (except for groups of 9 people or more) However they can be transferred to other people as they are not personal, as long as it is done within the validity period. The validity period is 12 months (although some packages offer the possibility to choose a 24-month validity period) from the date of purchase (which is the date the tickets were sent from our offices). The validity period can be extended without additional costs only after three tentative bookings that would have been cancelled by our office for bad weather conditions or any other force major case. In that case your validation period will be extended by another 12 months. After less than three tentative bookings, the validation period can be extended for an additional fee by 12 months. Any ticket will automatically expire after 24 months.

For the flight, the passenger must book a seat with BALLONS du LEMAN. The booking will be confirmed after reception of the payment. For a group booking (9 people or more), the booking will be confirmed after payment of a deposit has been made. The passenger (or the person responsible for the group) will contact BALLONS du LEMAN to set a date for the flight.

The flights will be reconfirmed as follows:

For the afternoon or early evening flights, the passenger has to call BALLONS du LEMAN on the day of the flight, between 13.00 and 14.30 CET.
For morning flights, the passenger must call BALLONS du LEMAN the day before the flight, between 19.00 and 20.30 CET.

If the weather conditions are good, we will then confirm the hour and location of the meeting point. If the flight needs to be cancelled, for weather conditions or any other reason, it is the passenger’s responsibility to book a new date. Tickets include: the flight and services as explained for each package. However, the exact lengths of the flights are difficult to define.

Payment methods:

For a booking of less than nine people, the tickets are individual and the total amount for all the tickets should be paid when ordering. The total amount can be paid in cash, by credit or debit card or by bank transfer. The order can be done online, by telephone or in person. For the groups (9 people or more), a deposit covering 40% of the total amount should be paid when ordering, and the balance should be paid at least 15 calendar days before the date of the flight.

The number of participants will be considered as final 15 days before the flight and will be invoiced as such. By purchasing a ticket, you accept our terms and conditions.

Our general terms and conditions are also legally binding the buyer and BALLONS du LEMAN. The purchase of a ticket also means accepting the limits of our responsibility. These conditions have to be accepted by the buyer (privately or for a corporate) although the ticket can be transferred or given as a gift to someone else. The owner of the ticket will then be considered as accepting our terms and conditions.

Flight conditions :

Because the flight depends entirely on weather conditions, the route can’t be guaranteed. The average length of a flight is one hour. The pilot has the right to change the length, the take-off location and the hour of the meeting around the flight. The flights are done by VFR (Visual Flight Routes, as defined by regulations). BALLONS du LEMAN is licensed by the FOCA (Federal Office of Civil Aviation) for the public transport of passengers under the authorisation number CH-BAL-BB 151.

Booking and Embarking:

Only people with a valid ticket in their possession have the right to embark (the ticket will only be valid after full payment of the invoice related to it). BALLONS du LEMAN is an air carrier for passengers and therefore submitted to the conditions mentioned in the Warsaw convention. The pilots of BALLONS du LEMAN are in sole command and have therefore an authority over the passengers. They have the right to refuse access to or disembark any person who would present a danger for the security or health of the other passengers or for the good condition of the aircraft. Before the flight, all ticketholders must book a seat in a hot air balloon with BALLONS du LEMAN by sending an email or by phone. The ticketholder can only book one date per ticket at the time. If the date is cancelled, it is the ticketholder’s responsibility to contact BALLONS du LEMAN and book a new date.

Postponement of an individual reservation:

A postponement of a reservation can be made by notifying BALLONS du LEMAN at MINIMUM forty-eight (48) hours, two (2) days, before the scheduled date of the flight. No postponement can be made by the passenger after this deadline. In case of postponement after this deadline, the ticket will be considered as used. If the passenger is absent on the day of the flight, the ticket will be considered null and void. It is important to understand that if you do not respect the above mentioned delay, you will lose your ticket. No refunds will be made.

Reservation postponement for groups:

By group we mean more than 12 people or more than one balloon.
If the postponement occurs between 8 and 15 days before the flight, 20% of the total amount will be charged as compensation. Between 4 and 7 days, this amount is 30% of the total amount. Less than 72 hours, the deposit of 50% of the invoice is definitively acquired by BALLONS du LEMAN.
N.B.: this clause does not apply if the weather conditions are not favourable to fly on the date initially planned. Only the opinion of the pilots will be taken into account.
In the event of a refund, a deduction for administrative costs is applicable.

Cancellation of a reservation for groups/companies:

By group we mean more than 12 people or more than one balloon.
A cancellation is a booking that is no longer required and will not be carried forward.
The deposit will be fully refunded to the client in case of cancellation up to 30 days before the event. If the cancellation occurs between 15 and 30 days before the flight, only 50% will be refunded. The deposit will be definitively acquired by BALLONS du LEMAN if the cancellation is made within 15 days before the flight. In case of reimbursement, a deduction for administrative costs is applicable.

Flight Information:

The passengers have the responsibility to contact BALLONS du LEMAN. For the afternoon or early evening flights, the passenger must call BALLONS du LEMAN on the day of the flight, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm CET. For morning flights, the passenger must call BALLONS du LEMAN the day before the flight, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm CET.

If the weather conditions are favourable, BALLONS du LEMAN will then confirm the hour and location of the meeting. In case of bad weather conditions, the flight will be rescheduled at your convenience.

Tax and insurance:

Each passenger must be in possession of a valid ticket issued by BALLONS du LEMAN. This ticket will give them access to the boarding of the hot air balloon. The price of the tickets includes public-liability insurance and covers the passengers. BALLONS du LEMAN reserves the right to cancel the flight at any time for security matters, if there are not enough enrollments or for any other reason. This cancellation can happen at any time before the take-off and BALLONS du LEMAN will not accept any financial responsibility for the expenses incurred by the passengers (travel, accommodation, or food expenses).

Outsourcing :

In some cases, and under certain circumstances, our flights may be carried out by sub-contractors commissioned by BALLONS du LEMAN.

Liability limit:

The person in possession of a ticket admits having taken all necessary measures to be fully informed about the risks related to hot air balloons flying. The passenger considers those risks to be reasonable and acceptable given his physical condition and state of health. The ticketholder takes full responsibility as far as the risks and dangers related to hot air balloon flights are concerned. Please note the baskets are not equipped with seats. Before every flight, the ticketholders will be briefed regarding security measures and rules to be followed during the take-off, the flight, and landing. Each passenger will be asked to read and approve a paper stating he will respect security measures. Passengers must be at least 4 feet tall. Children must be accompanied by adults. It is your responsibility to disclose the exact age of the children. Pregnant women or people under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not admitted in the basket. The ticketholder authorises BALLONS du LEMAN to make use of any footage or video made during the flight. The transport carried out as stated on the ticket is submitted to the Swiss aviation rules. BALLONS du LEMAN holds an authorisation delivered by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation to carry out commercial flights. Notice on limited liability for luggage or personal belongings: neither BALLONS du LEMAN nor its insurance company covers any valuable objects, luggage or items that get broken, lost or stolen before, during or after the flight.

Litigation:

Any litigation, contention, default of payment or any objection relative to our performance will be settled by the Tribunal cantonal de Vaud (the Civil Court of Vaud), with the only exception being the cases submitted to the competency of public order.