General Conditions Ballooning BV

General and Definitions

The websites of Ballooning BV (hereinafter referred to as the “website”) in its Dutch (filvaballonvaart.be), French (montgolfiere-ardenne.be), and English (ballooning.be) versions are managed and published by Ballooning BV, registered in the Kruispuntbank Ondernemingen under the number 1.002.134.021, with its registered office located at Grote Baan 212, 9250 Waasmunster (hereinafter referred to as “Ballooning”). The company has the VAT number BE1.002.134.021.

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Contact address:
Ballooning BV
Grote baan 212 – 9250 Waasmunster – België

booking@ballooning.be

https://filvaballonvaart.be

Tel: +32 497 44 54 64

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  • Ballooning sells Hot-air-balloon-flight-tickets (hereafter referred to as “ticket”), Hot-air-balloon-gift-vouchers (hereafter referred to as “gift voucher”), Private Balloon Flights, and Tickets transportation back to the takeoff site (hereafter referred to as “transport ticket”). Ballooning also issues Hot-air-balloon-discount-vouchers (hereafter referred to as “discount voucher”) at certain times. A hot air balloon gift voucher issued by Bongo, Cadeaubox, or Wonderbox (hereafter referred to as “external voucher”) can be exchanged at Ballooning for an Exchange Ticket (hereafter referred to as “exchange ticket”).
  • An (exchange) ticket or a gift voucher entitles the holder to participate in a hot air balloon flight in Flanders or the Ardennes for one or more persons, as indicated on the (exchange) ticket or gift voucher, in a shared basket (i.e., together with other passengers).
  • A Private Balloon Flight entitles the holder to a hot air balloon flight for the number of passengers agreed upon with Ballooning, in a basket without other passengers, only with the self-chosen group.
  • A transport ticket entitles the holder to transport from the landing site back to the launch field.
  • A discount voucher entitles the holder to a price reduction when purchasing a ticket or a gift voucher but does not entitle the holder to participate in a hot air balloon flight.
  • Tickets or gift vouchers are non-refundable by Ballooning. Discount vouchers or exchange tickets will never be paid out by Ballooning.
  • The Consumer-Customer: any customer – a natural person acting primarily with a private purpose in mind. Ballooning has a B2C relationship with this customer.
  • The Business-Customer: any customer – a natural person engaged in a professional activity independently, any customer – a legal entity, or any other customer – an organization without legal personality. Ballooning has a B2B relationship with this customer.

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The following terms and conditions apply

1 Offer

1.1 The information provided in all folders, brochures, and on the websites, as well as information provided by third parties, is for informational purposes only.
1.2 When conducting a balloon flight, Ballooning solely enters into an obligation of means, i.e., the obligation to carry out the balloon flight to the best of its ability. Ballooning is therefore never obliged to achieve a specific result in terms of altitude, duration, distance covered, or the use of a particular hot air balloon.
1.3 The choice of the hot air balloon used for the flight is determined by Ballooning’s planning department, based on the total number of passengers that need to be flown at a given time in a specific region. For bookings with larger numbers of passengers, the planning department of Ballooning also determines the number of hot air balloons to be used.
1.4 An (exchange) ticket or gift voucher does not include transport from the landing site to the launch field. The customer must arrange their own transport to be picked up at the landing site. If this is not possible, the customer can purchase transport tickets from Ballooning, and Ballooning will provide transport back to the launch field.

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2 The purchase of a ticket, gift voucher or transport ticket

2.1 Customers can purchase a (transport) ticket or gift voucher via the website, email, telephone, or in-person contact with Ballooning.
2.2 Ballooning confirms the purchase of a (transport) ticket or gift voucher by sending the customer a (transport) ticket or gift voucher with a unique serial number to the (email) address provided by the customer.
2.3 If the ticket is obtained by using or exchanging an external voucher (exchange ticket), Article 4 applies.
2.4 A ticket or gift voucher from Ballooning expires three years after issuance. The expiration date is stated on the ticket or gift voucher. After three years, no reservation for a hot air balloon flight can be made with the ticket or gift voucher. An expired ticket or gift voucher does not entitle the holder to any compensation.
2.5 The price of a ticket or gift certificate depends on the flight region and includes insurance, reservation, booking, and administrative costs, but excludes transportation from the landing site to the take-off field.
2.6 Discounts are provided for the following categories: seniors over 65 years old (hereinafter “seniors 65+”) and children up to and including 16 years old (hereinafter “child-16”). These discounts can only be used if the person in question is willing to prove their age. A child under 16 must always be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.
2.7 When ordering, a balloon flight date can be directly reserved using the online flight planner. Once a date for the hot air balloon flight is reserved, cancellation of the purchase is no longer possible.
2.8 If no date for a balloon flight has been reserved, the Consumer-Customer may cancel the purchase free of charge within 14 working days of purchase by returning the (transport) ticket or gift voucher to Ballooning (it is recommended to do this by registered mail for proof). The refund will be processed via MultiSafepay or bank transfer within seven working days of receiving the ticket or gift voucher.
2.9 The (transport) tickets and gift vouchers are not personalized and are transferable to other persons. The passenger may transfer their flight to a third party who meets all conditions applicable to the transferring passenger before the flight begins. However, the transferring passenger must inform Ballooning of this before the flight and provide the necessary details (name, weight, and phone number) of the replacement passenger.
2.10 When transferring a ticket or gift voucher with a discount for seniors 65+ or children-16, the difference with a standard ticket or gift voucher must be paid if the person in question is older than 16 and younger than 65 years. This can be done via bank transfer to account number BE12 7370 7137 7592 with the ticket number as a reference, or in cash or via Payconiq at the relevant launch site. The additional payment for a ticket or gift voucher must, in any case, be made before the flight.

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3 The purchase of a private balloon flight

3.1 Customers can request a private balloon flight with Ballooning via the website, email, telephone, or in-person contact.
3.2 After mutual agreement, Ballooning confirms the purchase of a private balloon flight upon payment of a 50% deposit of the total amount due.
3.3 Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing with Ballooning, the balance must be paid no later than 14 calendar days before the balloon flight.
3.4 Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing with Ballooning, the purchase cannot be canceled by the customer once a date for the balloon flight has been set.
3.5 Article 8 applies with regard to the reservation and cancellation terms of a private balloon flight.

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4 Exchanging a Bongo, Cadeaubox or Wonderbox hot air balloon gift voucher

4.1 With an external voucher, the customer can exchange their valid external voucher for one or more exchange tickets at Ballooning via the website, at a reservation fee of €15 per passenger to cover insurance, exchange, booking, and administrative costs. The number of exchange tickets issued by Ballooning always corresponds to the number of persons for whom the external voucher is valid.
4.2 An external voucher is only valid and exchangeable at Ballooning if
     • The expiration date of the external voucher is later than the date of exchange for an exchange ticket at Ballooning, and
     • A correct external voucher number (9 digits), activation code (3 digits), expiration date, and name of the experience are provided when exchanging the external voucher for an exchange ticket at Ballooning.
4.3 After the exchange, a balloon flight on a specific date can be directly reserved using the online flight planner.
4.4 Ballooning reserves the right to cancel the exchange ticket and the balloon flight if the external voucher has already been used, has expired, the external voucher number or activation code proves to be incorrect, or if no photo of the barcode of the original external voucher was provided to Ballooning in the case of a Wonderbox gift voucher. In such cases, the customer is not entitled to any compensation or a refund of the administrative exchange fees.
4.5 Ballooning also reserves the right to cancel the exchange ticket and the balloon flight if the external voucher is on the list of non-accepted vouchers (see appendix) or cannot be redeemed by Ballooning with Bongo, Cadeaubox, or Wonderbox. Certain external vouchers (see appendix) are only valid for take-off regions in Flanders. If the customer wishes to book a balloon flight in the Ardennes region with an external voucher only valid for Flanders, they must purchase an additional Ardennes supplement of €10 per person, in addition to the exchange ticket.
4.6 Once an external voucher has been exchanged for an exchange ticket at Ballooning, the conversion cannot be reversed and the General Terms and Conditions of Ballooning apply.
4.7 An exchange ticket from Ballooning expires one year after issuance. The expiration date is mentioned on the exchange ticket.
4.8 An exchange ticket is not personalized and can be transferred to another person. The passenger may transfer their flight to a third party, who must meet all the conditions applicable to the transferring passenger, before the flight begins. However, the transferring passenger must notify Ballooning of this before the flight and provide the necessary details (name, weight, and phone number) of the replacement passenger.
4.9 The original external voucher must always be handed over to the pilot before the corresponding flight.
4.10 An exchange ticket does not include transport from the landing site to the launch field.

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5 Use of discount vouchers

5.1 Discount vouchers can only be used by a Client-Consumer when purchasing a ticket and, in some cases, if explicitly indicated by Ballooning, when purchasing a gift voucher.
5.2 Ballooning allows only one discount voucher per Client-Consumer per ticket or gift voucher, whereby the original discount voucher must be handed over to the performing pilot or their ground team before the flight.

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6 Payment of a balloon flight

6.1 Payment for a (transport) ticket, gift voucher, or private balloon flight is also due even if the balloon flight has not (yet) taken place.
6.2 Unless explicitly and in writing agreed otherwise with Ballooning, payment for a private balloon flight must be made no later than 14 calendar days before the flight.
6.3 Full payment for a (transport) ticket, gift certificate, or private balloon flight must, in any case, take place before the flight.
6.4 In case of non-payment of (a portion of) the balloon flight by a Consumer-Customer, an increase in the owed amount will be charged with a late payment interest in accordance with Article XIX.4, 1° of the Code of Economic Law and a flat-rate compensation of a minimum of twenty (20) euros in accordance with Article XIX.4, 2° of the Code of Economic Law.
6.5 In case of non-payment of (a portion of) the invoice by a Business-Customer, an increase in the invoice amount will be charged with a late payment interest in accordance with the Law of August 2, 2002, regarding late payments in commercial transactions and a flat-rate compensation of 10% with a minimum of forty (40) euros.
6.6 Payments are always first applied to reduce the owed costs and interest.

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7 Reservation and cancellation of a balloon flight in a shared basket

7.1 The customer can use the online flight planner to select a specific date and flight region with Ballooning. An (exchange) ticket or gift voucher for Flanders entitles the holder to a balloon flight in any Flemish region. An (exchange) ticket or gift voucher for the Ardennes entitles the holder to a balloon flight in any region in the Ardennes.
7.2 Using the final sequence of numbers on an (exchange) ticket or gift voucher, the customer can then book a specific balloon flight with Ballooning. The (exchange) ticket or gift voucher specifies the number of people for whom the reservation can be made. A reservation request is complete once all required details, including the names and weights of the passengers, have been provided.
7.3 Customers must specify during the booking process whether they have their own transport available to be picked up from the landing site after the balloon flight or if they hold transport tickets allowing Ballooning to return them to the take-off site. Ballooning reserves the right to charge the costs for any external taxi service if no transport has been reserved but is requested on the day of the balloon flight.
7.4 Ballooning confirms the booking of a flight date and flight region via email.
7.5 A reserved date/flight region may be rescheduled free of charge up to 14 calendar days before the flight, subject to mutual agreement. (Example: original flight date is 30/06/2025 – rescheduling possible until 16/06/2025)
7.6 To change a reserved date/flight region within 13 to 7 calendar days before the scheduled flight, a rescheduling is still possible against a fee of €25 per passenger, to be paid by the customer. The customer will receive a payment invitation, which must be paid within 24 hours. Only once this condition has been met can a new reservation be made using the (exchange) ticket or gift voucher. 1.1 (Example: original flight date is 30/06/2025 – rescheduling possible until 23/06/2025 subject to the fee)
7.7 If the date/flight region is cancelled by the customer within 6 calendar days before the scheduled flight, it will no longer be possible to make a balloon flight with the respective (exchange) ticket or gift voucher. In this case, the flight is considered to have taken place, and the (exchange) ticket or voucher loses its validity. (Example: original flight date is 30/06/2025 – from 24/06/2025 onward, rescheduling is no longer possible)

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8 Validity of an (exchange) ticket or gift voucher

8.1 The customer must book and complete the balloon flight before the expiration date stated on the (exchange) ticket or gift voucher. Reservations with a scheduled flight date after the expiration date are invalid.
8.2 If a booked balloon flight is postponed due to weather conditions or other safety reasons, the validity period of the (exchange) ticket or gift voucher remains unchanged. In that case, it is solely the customer’s responsibility to reschedule and complete the balloon flight within the original validity period.
8.3 After the expiry of the validity period, the (exchange) ticket or gift voucher will automatically and definitively expire, without entitlement to a refund, compensation, or transfer.

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9 Reservation and cancellation of a private balloon flight

9.1 Customers wishing to book a private balloon flight cannot do so via the online flight planner and must contact Ballooning by phone or email.
9.2 In addition to a preferred date for the private balloon flight, the customer must also provide an alternative flight date in case the balloon flight cannot take place on the preferred date due to weather conditions. For a private balloon flight for up to 8 people, there must be a gap of 2 weeks between the alternative flight date and the preferred date during the peak season (June to September). For a private balloon flight for more than 8 people, this gap must be 4 weeks. If the alternative flight date is for a morning flight, these restrictions do not apply.
9.3 The customer can independently choose the launch location and flight region for a private balloon flight in consultation with Ballooning. If the take-off is from a private site designated by the customer, they must provide the pilot with written permission from the property owner prior to the flight. Ballooning accepts no responsibility for any damage caused to crops or the terrain at the launch site.
9.4 Ballooning confirms the reservation of a flight date and flight region via email.
9.5 A reserved date for a private balloon flight for up to 8 people can be rescheduled free of charge up to 2 weeks before the flight, and up to 4 weeks before the flight for a private balloon flight for more than 8 people, in consultation with Ballooning.
9.6 If the reserved date for a private balloon flight for up to 8 people is canceled by the customer within 2 weeks before the scheduled flight, it will no longer be possible to use the amount already paid for a balloon flight. In such cases, the balloon flight will be considered completed, the private flight booking will lose its validity, and it will not entitle the customer to a refund or any other compensation.
9.7 If the reserved date for a private balloon flight for more than 8 people is canceled by the customer within 4 weeks before the scheduled flight, it will no longer be possible to use the amount already paid for a balloon flight. In such cases, the balloon flight will be considered completed, the private flight booking will lose its validity, and it will not entitle the customer to a refund or any other compensation.
9.8 If the private balloon flight cannot take place on the preferred date or the alternative date due to weather conditions, the customer must propose a new date to Ballooning. If the customer does not wish to do so, the private balloon flight can be canceled and refunded, with an administrative fee of fifty (50) euros deducted.

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10 Flight region

10.1 Unless explicitly agreed otherwise, the balloon flight will be conducted from one of Ballooning’s launch sites in the booked flight region.
10.2 If the balloon flight cannot take place over the booked flight region on the agreed flight day, the customer has the right to refrain from boarding and choose another flight date. In such cases, no compensation or refund will be provided. The customer will then book a new date for the balloon flight.
10.3 Ballooning reserves the right to move the launch site on the day of the flight within a radius of 30 km from the agreed location. This decision may be made by the pilot due to meteorological or other conditions (e.g., military exercises) that make it impossible to depart from the original launch site.

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11 Execution of the balloon flight

11.1 Ballooning will execute the balloon flight carefully, professionally, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
11.2 Since ballooning is highly dependent on meteorological conditions, it may happen that the balloon flight proceeds differently than expected. Any statement regarding the duration and nature of the balloon flight is always based on an estimate under ideal conditions. No rights can be derived from this.
11.3 Ballooning may decide at the very last moment not to proceed with the balloon flight if the (weather) conditions do not permit a guaranteed safe balloon flight. This is solely at the discretion of the performing pilot. In such cases, no compensation or refund will be provided. The customer will then book a new date for the balloon flight. This situation may occur multiple times.
11.4 In case of insufficient interest for a flight, Ballooning is entitled to move the balloon flight to another date.
11.5 All pilots at Ballooning hold the necessary licenses issued by the Aviation Authority to act as captains of a hot air balloon. They independently make all decisions to ensure the safe conduct of the flight. This includes:
     • the meteorological conditions
     • the recommendations of the Flight Information Center Brussels
     • the suitability of the chosen launch site based on the size of the hot air balloon, wind speed, and wind direction
     • the correct timing of the launch
No appeal is possible against the decision of the performing pilot.
11.6 Each passenger is expected to be in good physical health and free from any medical condition that constitutes a contraindication for ballooning.
11.7 Pregnant women are not allowed to participate under any circumstances. Please contact Ballooning to discuss an alternative.
11.8 The right to use an (exchange) ticket or gift voucher for a balloon flight is forfeited in the following cases:
     • if the customer does not appear or does not appear on time at the agreed location and time.
     • if the customer cannot present a valid (exchange) ticket, gift voucher, or discount coupon before the start of the balloon flight.
     • if, according to the Ballooning planning department, full payment of the ticket, gift voucher, or private flight has not been received, and the customer cannot provide convincing proof of payment at that time.
     • if the customer presents themselves in a condition that poses a potential danger to themselves, the pilot, team members, or fellow passengers (e.g., drunkenness, intoxication, or unsuitable medical condition).
In all these cases, the balloon flight is considered to have been completed. The (exchange) ticket, gift voucher, or private flight booking will therefore lose its validity.
11.9 Participants in the balloon flight must adhere to the instructions given by the pilot and other Ballooning staff. This applies before, during, and after the balloon flight.
11.10 By participating in the balloon flight, participants accept the personal responsibility for minor injuries (e.g., scrapes, bumps, etc.), for soot and scorch damage to clothing (caused by the burner), and for the loss or soiling of personal equipment, clothing items, cameras, etc.
11.11 Smoking is prohibited at the take-off or landing field, onboard, or near ballooning equipment.
11.12 The liability of Ballooning and its pilots is included in the insurance policy, which complies with strict European regulations. A copy of the policy will be provided upon request.
11.13 The liability of Ballooning is in all cases limited to the amount paid out under Ballooning’s liability insurance in the relevant case.
11.14 The liability of the performing pilot is in all cases limited to the amount paid out under Ballooning’s liability insurance in the relevant case. This does not apply if and to the extent that the damage was caused by proven intent or deliberate recklessness by the performing pilot.

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12 Complaints and Disputes

12.1 Customers who are dissatisfied with the execution of the agreement may file a complaint with Ballooning in writing, either by letter or email, using the contact details described below:

Contact address:

Ballooning BV
Grote baan 212 – 9250 Waasmunster – België
booking@ballooning.be
Ballooning will, if necessary after hearing the customer on the matter, be carefully and in writing addressed.
12.2 Filing a complaint does not grant the customer the right to suspend (payment) obligations.
12.3 Complaints must, under penalty of forfeiture of rights, be submitted as soon as possible, but in any case within 3 days of the incident being complained about.
12.4 Ballooning accepts no liability for the cancellation of a balloon flight based on a justified decision by the pilot.

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13 Right of withdrawal

13.1 In accordance with Articles VI.47 and following of the Belgian Code of Economic Law, the Consumer-Customer has a right of withdrawal that does not incur costs related to the return and does not require the provision of a reason. This must be done within 14 days, starting from the day when the customer or a third party, other than the transporter designated by the customer, physically takes possession of the ticket or gift voucher. However, the right of withdrawal is no longer applicable once a balloon flight is booked for a specific date.
13.2 The right of withdrawal does not apply to the exchange of an external voucher for an exchange ticket or for booking a private balloon flight.
13.3 The customer can exercise this right easily by notifying Ballooning in writing, either by letter or email, using the contact details described below:
Contact address:
Ballooning BV
Grote baan 212 – 9250 Waasmunster – België
booking@ballooning.be

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14 Jurisdiction and applicable law

14.1 This agreement is exclusively governed by Belgian law. Only the court in the district where Ballooning is established has jurisdiction.

© copyright Ballooning BV

Appendix – List of (non-)accepted external vouchers

Belevenis Bongo / Cadeaubox

Vervaldag Bongo bon

Locaties

Ballon & Bubbels van 149.90€

Geen aanvaarding omruiling

N/A

Voor de beste papa/papa

Geen aanvaarding omruiling

N/A

Ballonvaart & Bubbels van 149.90€ – van Cadeaubox

Geen aanvaarding omruiling

N/A

Een betoverende kerst: 1 belevenis voor 1 of 2 personen

Geen aanvaarding omruiling

N/A

Een exclusief voorproefje van je pensioen

Geen aanvaarding omruiling

N/A

Extreme Sensaties (in de Benelux)

Geen aanvaarding omruiling

N/A

Spectaculaire ballonvaart met ontbijt in Waasmunster voor 2

Geen aanvaarding omruiling

N/A

Belevenis Bongo/Cadeaubox

Vervaldag Bongo bon

Locaties

Sensatie van 189.90€

Momenteel geen beperking

Zowel Vlaanderen als Ardennen locaties

Adembenemende ballonvlucht voor 2 personen in België

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Vlaanderen – Ardennen locaties kan mits bijbetaling supplement van 10€pp

Adembenemende ballonvlucht voor 2 personen

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Vlaanderen

Spectaculaire ballonvaart voor 1 persoon

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Vlaanderen – Ardennen locaties kan mits bijbetaling supplement van 10€pp

Ballonvaart over XXX (regio Vlaanderen) met champagne voor 1 persoon

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Vlaanderen

Ballonvaart met champagne in XXX (regio Vlaanderen) voor 2 personen / Zweven boven XXX (regio Vlaanderen) in een heteluchtballon voor 2

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Vlaanderen

1 ballonvlucht voor 2 personen

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Vlaanderen

Ballonvaart over de Ardennen met champagne/Ballonvaart in de Ardennen vr 1 persoon

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Ardennen

Ballonvaart over de Ourthe en omgeving met champagne voor 1 persoon

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Ardennen

Ballonvaart met champagne in de Ardennen voor 2/Ballonvaart in de Ardennen voor 2 personen

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Ardennen

Ballonvaart met champagne in de Ardennen voor 1

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Ardennen

Zweven boven XXX (regio Ardennen) in een heteluchtballon voor 2

Momenteel geen beperking

Enkel Ardennen

Ballonvaart & Bubbels / Ballonvaart & Bubbels in België van 179.90€ of 189.90€ 

Bonnen met dezelfde benaming maar van 149.90€ aanvaarden we echter niet meer

momenteel geen beperking

Zowel Vlaanderen als Ardennen locaties

Een sensationele verjaardag in de lucht/Waanzinnig vliegplezier vr 1 persoon van 189.90€ 

momenteel geen beperking

Zowel Vlaanderen als Ardennen locaties

Ballonvaart over Waasmunster met 5-gangendiner voor 1 persoon / Uniek 5-gangendiner op grote hoogte voor 2 personen nabij Waasmunster

momenteel geen beperking

Enkel CulinAIR vlucht op maandag te Waasmunster