Hot air balloon rental for corporate events
Hot air balloon rental for corporate events is the most scenic and engaging option available in the Italian experiential communications market. Aeronord Aerostati is Italy’s leading hot air balloon rental company for event use, with more than 60 years of experience and the only capability in the country to operate both hot air and gas balloons. From the tethered hot air balloon that picks up dozens of passengers during an event, to free flight for high-profile incentive experiences, each project is managed on a turnkey basis: production, brand customization, EASA-certified pilots, ENAC permits, dedicated crew. It has a large fleet of hot-air balloons and Italy’s only gas balloon.
What is Hot Air Balloon Rental for Events and When It's Worthwhile
Event hot air balloon rental is an experiential aerial communication service that provides companies, event agencies, trade show organizers, municipalities, schools, pro loco, wedding planners and individuals with one or more hot air balloons complete with crew for a defined period, usually from a day to a week or more.
It differs markedly from the tourist hot air balloon flight (individual experience for small groups) because it is designed as a tool for communication, attraction and involvement of a wider audience, in the context of an event or advertising campaign. The hot air balloon thus becomes a scenic protagonist, an experiential means of transportation for press event, VIP guests or high-impact advertising support.
Rental is the formula most chosen by companies because it eliminates the need to own a vehicle that is expensive to operate, certify and maintain. Aeronord provides the hot air balloon, pilot, crew, support equipment and all the necessary documentation to operate safely in compliance with ENAC and EASA regulations.
Bound Balloon or Free Flight: Which to Choose for Your Corporate Event?
Balloon bound (braking)
The tethered hot air balloon remains anchored to the ground by safety cables and ascends vertically to a predetermined height, usually between 15 and 25 meters, if hot air or between 30 and 50 meters, if gas. This is the ideal formula when you want to offer the experience of flying to a large number of people in a safe, controlled and repeatable manner throughout the event.
Advantages of captive:
- Up to 24 people per hour with gas balloon, 25 to 35 people per hour with hot air balloon
- It takes place entirely in the event space
- Opening and closing times of flights are determined in advance. This also depends on the weather and temperatures.
- The hot air balloon remains visible and active throughout the event, if gas-powered or during flights, if hot air.
Free Flight
Free flight, on the other hand, involves autonomous movement of the hot air balloon through the air, propelled by the wind, for routes of about 60 minutes. It is an exclusive experience, reserved for a small number of people (typically 4 to 12 passengers per flight), particularly suitable for incentive programs, high-profile corporate gifts, VIP product launches.
Advantages of free flight:
- Memorable premium experience, comparable to an exclusive trip
- Ideal for small groups of selected guests
- Strong storytelling for follow-up communication (photos, videos, testimonials)
- Ability to fly over iconic locations (Langhe, Lake Iseo, Mondovì, and others)
Hot air or gas balloon rental for your next corporate event
| Feature | Hot air | Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure customization | Partial (central part) | Almost total surface area |
| Operational duration per event | Approximately 2-3 hours | Up to 6 hours continuously |
| Constrained capacity (people/hour) | 25-35 | Approximately 24 |
| Hours of operation | Early morning/evening or even central if in winter | Any time of day |
| Noise | Audible burner | Totally silent |
| Nighttime scenic effect | Lights up like a lamp | More discreet effect |
| Maximum altitude free flight | Lower | Higher |
| Availability in Italy | Multiple operators | Aeronord only |
| Approximate cost | More content | Premium |
When to choose hot air
- Short-term events (evening festivals, openings)
- Low budget
- Desire for color and immediate visual impact
- Evening events with strong light scenic component
When to choose gas
- Events of long duration (full day or multiple days)
- Need to fly even in the middle hours of the day
- Important brand customization of the envelope
- Premium events where operational silence is an added value
- Search for a unique communicative differentiator in Italy
Customize the hot air balloon during the event with your corporate branding
Available customization levels
- Equatorial banner: banner with logo along the central axis of the envelope, a quick and excellent solution for spot events, only possible on some hot air balloons.
- Partial customization of the casing: printing of the brand logo and colors on one sector of the casing (typically with hot air)
- Total branding: the entire casing is made in the colors and graphics of the brand (mostly available with gas balloon or custom production)
- Special shapes (special shape): casing made in the shape of a product, mascot or brand identity object
Timing of implementation
Customization by banner or panel typically takes 3-4 weeks. Production of a fully customized enclosure is a more complex project that takes 3 to 6 months and includes EASA certification of the new enclosure.
For events planned well in advance (at least 6 months), the formula of purchasing the branded enclosure with rental of the part underneath (basket, burner, cylinders) can also be considered.
Turn Your Event into an Unforgettable Experience
Ready to get your event off the ground?
Tell us about your project and we will propose the most suitable solution.
The quote is free and without obligation.
When to Rent a Hot Air Balloon: Most Frequent Use Cases.
In recent years, Aeronord has collaborated with brands, event agencies, exhibition organizers, municipalities and individuals on a wide variety of projects. Here are the most recurring use cases.
Corporate events and team building
The tethered hot air balloon is a perfect attraction for conventions, kick-offs, family days and corporate incentives. Employees can ascend in small groups throughout the day, enjoying an unexpected, shared experience. For high-profile incentive programs, the free flight is a memorable gift.
Product launches
A branded hot air balloon placed in front of a trade show, point of sale, or press event ensures media coverage, photos on social media, and public attention. Especially effective in launches that seek a surprise effect.
Festivals and public events
Aeronord has participated as a technical partner in several editions of the Festival del Volo in Monza and Linate and partnered as a Balloon Cup 2024 partner. For festival organizers, the presence of one or more hot air balloons is an element that justifies media promotion and attracts target audiences.
The hot air balloon can also be combined with music concerts or public events, such as the Stramilano.
Weddings and private ceremonies
Hot air balloon weddings are becoming increasingly common, either as a setting (tied down on the venue’s lawn) or as an experience for the bride and groom (free flight at sunset or bouquet toss). Particularly popular locations: Langhe, Lake Iseo, Crema, Morimondo or ad hoc captive locations.
Filming and photography
For audiovisual productions seeking aerial scenes with ‘hot’ and photogenic means, the hot air balloon offers stability and quietness superior to helicopters or drones in many narrative situations.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a flying experience that is open to the public, discover our hot air balloon flights with scheduled departures to various locations in Italy.
What the Aeronord Hot Air Balloon Rental Service Includes
- Hot air balloon certified for aerial work
- Pilot with commercial license
- Operational crew for inflation, flights and disassembly
- Transportation of the hot air balloon to the event site
- Vehicle insurance
- Technical documentation for permit application (paid for by client or agency)
Optional services
- Personalized helium balloons
- Aerial dance: acrobatic show at high altitude with professional artists
- Hot air balloon-themed workshops for families and children
- ‘Discover the Balloon’ show for general audience
- Pairing with light show drones for big budget evening events
- In-flight catering (for premium free flights)
Requirements for Renting a Hot Air Balloon: Space, Permits, Timing
Organizing a hot air balloon event requires planning. Here are the main operational requirements to consider when evaluating.
Operating space
An area free of tall plants, power cables, buildings, and obstacles of at least 50 x 50 meters, or 2,500 square meters, is required for takeoff and landing (including in constrained mode). For free flight, an adequate takeoff area is needed, similar to that for tethered flight and in an area without flight constraints.
Permits
The hot air balloon, being an aircraft, does not require specific permits for tethered flights, except in cases of specific locations; for free flights, it is possible to fly only in areas that are not restricted for these means (e.g., near air routes, areas over large cities…). Free flights are also possible in areas with large possible landing spaces on flat uncultivated surface, so not over lakes, mountains or vineyards, for example.
Weather conditions
Hot air balloons operate in maximum winds within certain thresholds. In the event of adverse conditions at the time of the event, procedures include postponement or modification of the activity. Therefore, it is critical to always plan B for outdoor balloon events, especially during the windiest or rainiest times of the year.
Recommended planning times
- Events without brand customization: minimum 30 days in advance
- Events with customization by banner or panel: 2-3 months
- Events with fully branded casing: 6 months minimum
- Public festivals and large events: 6-12 months
Why rely on Aeronord for hot air balloon rental
60+ years of experience
Aeronord has been in the aerostatic business since 1960. Three generations of experience accumulated over thousands of balloon and hot air balloon operations in Italy and abroad.
Italy’s only gas balloon operator
Aeronord is the only Italian company to operate gas balloons in addition to hot-air balloons. For premium or long duration events, this is a capability that no other operator can offer in the Italian market.
EASA Certification
Since 2009, Aeronord has held EASA certifications with approval IT.CAO.0038, which allow maintenance, airworthiness review and ARC issuance on hot air balloons. In-house airworthiness management ensures means are always in full technical efficiency.
Complete in-house supply chain
Production, certification, maintenance, operations and crews are all managed in-house. This means quick response time, consistent quality, and flexibility in customization.
Commercially licensed pilots
All flights are operated by certified commercially licensed pilots supported by dedicated and trained crew.
Track record
Among the realized projects: Festival del Volo Monza 2016, EXPerience Milano 2016, Festival del Volo 2017, Festival del Volo 2019, Festival del Volo Linate 2019, technical partner Balloon Cup 2024 (more than 335,000 participants), corporate events for brands of various industries.
Aeronord Aerostati is certified company for commercial balloon and hot air balloon operations ref ENAC
IT.DEC_B.0002
Frequently asked questions about hot air balloon rental for events
How much does it cost to rent a hot air balloon for an event?
The cost varies significantly depending on the type of hot air balloon, duration, level of customization, location, and formula chosen. A half-day event with a standard hot-air captive balloon has a different price range than a multi-day event with a branded gas balloon. The fastest way to get a reference is to send us a request for a quote-we respond within 48 business hours.
How many people can go up in a hot air balloon during a captive event?
With the hot-air balloon, the capacity is 25-35 people per hour depending on the model. With the gas hot air balloon, the capacity is about 24 people per hour. For a 6-hour event with a gas balloon, therefore, about 144 guests can be involved. For a 2-hour event with hot-air balloon, the capacity is up to 50-70 guests.
Does Aeronord operate throughout Italy?
Yes. We are based in Sesto San Giovanni (Milan), but operate throughout Italy. For events outside of Lombardy, the quote includes the logistics of relocating the vehicle and crew.
Can a hot air balloon with a company logo be rented?
Yes. Aeronord offers several customization options: equatorial banner with logo and partial or full customization of the casing, up to special custom-made shapes.
The gas balloon offers the maximum area for customization.
What happens if it is too windy on the day of the event?
Hot air balloons operate within maximum wind thresholds for safety reasons. In case of adverse conditions, the flight activity is postponed or substituted. For this reason, it is recommended to always include a Plan B in the event schedule, especially for outdoor activities during statistically windy periods. Up to the day before, a postponement is manageable if one decides to take a risk despite the uncertain weather; a portion of the cost is due.
How far in advance should one make reservations?
An event without personalization needs only 30 days in advance. With personalization by banner, 2-3 months are needed. With fully branded wrapping, the minimum time is 6 months. For public festivals and large events we recommend 6-12 months of planning.
How to Request a Balloon Rental Quote
Every event is different and the price of hot air balloon rental depends on multiple variables: type (gas or hot air), formula (tethered or free flight), duration, level of customization, location, time of year.
To receive an accurate quote, simply contact us with this basic information:
- Expected date or period of the event
- Indicative location (also just region and type of area)
- Type of event (corporate, trade show, wedding, festival)
- Approximate number of participants you would like to involve
- Need for brand customization (if applicable)
Response time
We provide a preliminary estimate within 48 working hours of the request.
For complex projects (festivals, multi-day events, custom customizations) a site survey or in-depth call may be useful before the final quote.
Where we are
Sesto San Giovanni (MI) – 20099
Tel: +39 02 26227112
Email: info@aeronord.it
Schedules
Mon – Fri: 09:00 | 18:00
Sat – Sun: Closed
Contact information
+39 02 26227112
info@aeronord.it