The ticket:

Tickets and gift-vouchers are non-refundable (except for groups of 12 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 24 months from the date of purchase (which is the date the tickets were sent from our office). 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 24 months. Any ticket will automatically expire after 24 months.

For the flight, the passenger must book a seat with MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC. The booking will be confirmed after the reception of the payment. For a group booking (12 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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC 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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC on the day of the flight, between 13.30 and 14.30 CET.
For morning flights, the passenger must call MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC the day before the flight, between 19.30 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 (12 people or more), a deposit covering 50% 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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC. 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). MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC is licensed by the French authority DGAC for the public transport of passengers.

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). MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC is an air carrier for passengers and therefore submitted to the conditions mentioned in the Warsaw convention. The pilots of MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC 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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC 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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC and book a new date.

Booking cancellation:

You have the right to cancel a booking by informing MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC at least 48 hours in advance, 2 days before the scheduled flight. No cancellation will be admitted after this deadline. If the flight is cancelled after this deadline, the ticket will be considered as used and will no longer be valid. In case of a no-show, the ticket will be considered as null and void. It is important to understand the cancellation policy and that if the rules of this policy are not followed the ticket will be lost. The tickets are non-refundable, except in certain cases when it is a group booking.

Group cancellations (more than 12 people): the deposit can be claimed back up until 30 days before the date of the flight. If the cancellation is made between 15 and 30 days before the flight, only half of the deposit will be refunded. MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC will not refund the deposit for a group cancellation made less than 15 days before the date of the flight. In the event of any refund, a deduction for administrative fees is applicable.

Flight Cancellation:

Hot air balloon flights depend on weather conditions. Only the pilot is empowered to decide if he takes off. For security reasons or if there are not enough passengers, MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANCreserves the right to cancel a flight at any time up until the time of the scheduled take-off. In any case, MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC will not accept any financial responsibility for the expenses incurred by the passengers.

Flight Information:

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

If the weather conditions are favourable, MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC 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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC. 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. MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC 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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC 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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC.

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 MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC 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 French aviation rules. MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC holds an authorisation delivered by the DGAC to carry out commercial flights. Notice on limited liability for luggage or personal belongings: neither MONTGOLFIERES DU MONT-BLANC 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 dispute, contestation, default of payment or difficulty of any kind relating to our services shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts, with the only exception of cases subject to the rules of public order jurisdiction.

Mediation:

Suppliers of services related to travel, tourism, accommodation, leisure and transport have in-house complaint-handling structures to which customers should turn in the event of a dispute.

However, where they persist, disputes arising from contracts concluded between the professional and the consumer may be the subject of optional mediation, free of charge to the consumer.

How to contact a Mediator: “The consumer must refer the matter to the company’s in-house department responsible for settling disputes. In the absence of a satisfactory response, or in the absence of a response within 60 days, the customer may refer the matter to the Tourism and Travel Ombudsman, whose contact details and procedures are available on his website: https://www.cm2c.net/”