Floating down the Rio Grande during a "splash & dash" on one of our Albuquerque hot air balloon flights during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Hot Air Balloon Rides in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque hot air balloon rides have been a favorite attraction for many years. Apex Balloons is a professional hot air balloon company offering hot air balloon rides in Albuquerque New Mexico. Balloon flights in Albuquerque are offered daily at sunrise, weather permitting.
Albuquerque Balloon Festival Flights
Apex Balloons offers Albuquerque Balloon Festival rides during the first half of October, with hot air balloon flights scheduled daily at sunrise during the incredible mass ascensions in Albuquerque. Our 2025 Albuquerque Balloon Festival flights begin on October 3th, and flights are available each morning through October 13th. Our balloon flights are not affiliated in any way with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® held at the same time as our flights; however, we have wonderful views of the Balloon Fiesta® Mass Ascensions on our flights. Click here to see why you'll agree our flights are the best value for your experience during the Balloon Festival!
Click here to check availability, view pricing, and make reservations:
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Please take the time to read all the information on our website - most of the questions you'll have are probably answered on the Balloon Rides Page and the FAQ/Information Page. If there are any questions that aren't answered, call Jon Radowski (yours truly, your pilot) directly at 505-333-8511.
Our Albuquerque hot air balloon rides offer scenic views of the rugged high desert landscape of New Mexico. We'll have the ultimate vantage point of the Sandia Mountains from our balloon as the sun rises over the crest. Wildlife is often in abundance, and we'll sometimes see jackrabbits, hawks, the occasional coyote, roadrunner and more!
| Awarded TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 Awarded TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 |
Some Of Our Services
- Champagne Hot Air Balloon Flights in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Local, Regional & National Corporate Balloon & Airship Advertising Programs
- Balloon Inspections, Maintenance & Repairs
- Custom Balloon Sales, Design & Construction
- Film, TV & Promotional Work
About Us
Jon Radowski, the owner and chief pilot of Apex Balloons, has been involved in ballooning essentially his entire life. His interest took off at the age of two when attending a balloon festival with his family. Jon knew from a very early age that he would become a balloon pilot as soon as he grew old enough.
After the magic of his first flight, he became a student pilot at the age of 14, designed and constructed his first hot air balloon from 16-17 years old, earned his private pilot certificate soon after, and became a commercial pilot at 19 to begin ballooning as a full-time career. In addition to flying balloons, Jon is an FAA-certificated hot air balloon repairman/inspector, and still designs and builds hot air balloons and airships. Take a look at what's on the drawing board at the design & manufacturing end of Apex Balloons.
Jon now has more than 26 years of experience flying hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes. For years, he commanded one of the world's very tallest hot air balloons, the Space Shuttle Patriot. Towering at a height of nearly 190 feet and with a wingspan of 115 feet, the shuttle balloon is three times taller than most balloons and twice as wide! Jon has flown many of the largest hot air balloons in North America, corporate balloons, and numerous special shape balloons.
In addition to balloons, Jon is also certificated to fly single-engine and multiengine airplanes, hot air airships, and gliders (as well as glider tow planes). He also flies powered paragliders, and is a B-licensed skydiver, with many skydives out of hot air balloons. He has flown in over 22 different states as well as Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, India, Australia, Germany, and France. He has a natural skill at flying balloons and takes considerable pride in his unblemished safety record, with over 18,000 happy passengers flown without a single injury. Jon is also a hot air balloon flight instructor and has trained a number of students through to their private and commercial hot air balloon pilot certificates.
Jon's careful attention to detail, consideration for the enjoyment of guests, skill at controlling the balloon, and commitment to safety will ensure that you have a most incredible flight that will be remembered forever. Join us up there!
