1. Provider
Take-Off Balloon LTD, Worbenstrasse 20, CH-2557 Studen
2. Scope of application
The following General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to all business relationships between Take-Off Balloon LTD and its customers, unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing. By ordering a voucher or registering for a balloon flight, these terms and conditions are deemed to have been accepted. The order or registration can be made in writing, verbally or online. Deviating terms and conditions of the customer will not be recognised unless Take-Off Balloon LTD has expressly agreed to them in writing.
3. Services
Take-Off Balloon LTD organises balloon flights (hot-air balloons and gas balloons) throughout Switzerland.
4. Prices and terms of payment
The prices for the services offered result from the respective agreements or offers. All prices include value added tax. Prices are subject to change and printing errors. Payment for vouchers is made by invoice or credit card. Unless otherwise agreed, invoices issued by Take-Off Balloon LTD are payable in full within 10 days of invoicing. Vouchers are only valid and redeemable after receipt of the full invoice amount. Every passenger must be in possession of a valid voucher before the start of the flight.
5. Vouchers / Tickets
5.1 Validity of vouchers
In principle vouchers are valid for 5 years from the date of purchase (date mentioned on the voucher).
5.2 Return of vouchers
Purchased vouchers cannot be returned. There is no entitlement to a reimbursement. Cash payment of the voucher amount is not possible.
5.3 Transferability of vouchers
Our vouchers can be transferred to other people. In this case the full name of the new owner must be notified to us.
5.4 Exchange / Upgrade options
All vouchers can be credited at any time by crediting the price paid to other flight vouchers or to group prices.
5.5 Delivery
Shipping costs Switzerland: Shipping costs for the voucher dispatch in Switzerland are borne by Take-Off Balloon LTD. There are no extra costs for the customer.
Shipping costs abroad: We also deliver the vouchers abroad. The postage costs outside of Switzerland are borne by the customer. Take-Off Balloon LTD charges a flat-rate postage fee of CHF 10.
6. Reservation and cancellation / postponement of balloon flights
6.1 Appointment booking
In order to take a balloon flight, passengers must reserve their place on board of a balloon from Take-Off Balloon LTD. This can be done either by e-mail (
6.2 Confirmation of the flight
On the eve of the flight we will contact you until 20.00 hours to confirm the flight or to postpone it due to weather conditions. For afternoon/evening flights we will contact you in the morning of the flight until 12.00 hours. The confirmation or postponement will be sent via SMS. In case of cancellation due to weather conditions or other reasons, it is the passenger's responsibility to book another date. Please contact us by phone or e-mail for this purpose.
6.3. Cancellation / postponement of flights by Take-Off Balloon LTD
Take-Off Balloon LTD may cancel or postpone confirmed dates for important reasons (weather, number of participants, short-term cancellation of participants, technical reasons, safety reasons, etc.). Short-term cancellation are also possible. Safety is our first priority. We ask for your understanding. Any additional costs for travelling, catering, etc. are to be borne by the participant and will not be covered by Take-Off Balloon LTD. Any claim will be rejected. In the event of cancellation by Take-Off Balloon LTD, the dates will be postponed to a new date requested by the customer. It is not possible for the customer to return the voucher if the activity is cancelled by Take-Off Balloon LTD.
6.4 Cancellation / postponement of flights by passengers
This is possible up to 72 hours before the actual flight departure time without any consequences. In the event of a cancellation between 72 and 24 hours before the flight, Take-Off Balloon LTD reserves the right to charge 50% of the amount and in the event of a cancellation within the last 24 hours to charge the full amount. In the event of a no-show on the date of the flight, the validity of the voucher will cease in all cases.
7. Realisation of balloon flights
7.1 Flight times and offer description
The flight times stated in the product description and registration confirmation are approximate and may vary depending on weather, wind and safety reasons. The pilot may also postpone starting locations and venues at short notice for weather and safety reasons. If an activity is cancelled early by the customer, the activity is deemed to have been carried out. In special cases, the pilot may cancel an activity early for safety reasons or passenger condition, whereupon the activity is also deemed to have been carried out. If the passenger arrives at the appointment under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the activity will be refused and the activity will be deemed to have been carried out.
The information in our sales documents (descriptions, photos, illustrations, dimensions, weights and other services) are to be understood as guidelines only and do not constitute a guarantee of characteristics unless they are expressly designated as binding in writing.
7.2 Weather conditions
As the balloon flight depends entirely on the weather, there is no guarantee that it will take place. The weather decision can also be made at short notice if the weather is uncertain. As ballooning is highly dependent on wind and weather, the pilot reserves the right to change the duration, departure location, meeting time and anything else concerning the flight.
7.3 Passenger requirements
Every passenger must have a ticket from Take-Off Balloon LTD. The ticket authorises the passenger to board the balloon. The corresponding invoice must be paid in advance by the passenger or a third person.
In order to take part in your balloon flight, certain physical requirements must be met. See conditions of carriage and safety information on our website www.ballonfahren.ch. It is the passenger's responsibility to check and fulfil these requirements. If a guest is rejected on site due to these physical requirements, the voucher/ticket and the entitlement to the balloon ride will expire.
8. Other
8.1 Personal items
You are welcome to bring a small rucksack or small bag into the basket with you. We strongly advise against drinking alcoholic drinks before and during the flight which will make the drink after the flight all the more enjoyable. Please bring along your camera, binoculars, camcorder etc. All items are brought along at your own risk in the event of loss or damage.
8.2 Age / Health
Balloon flying is an appropriate aspect of aviation for every age group. Our youngest guests can sometimes hardly see over the edge of the basket whereas our oldest guests can sometimes be 90 years of age or even older. The only pre-requisite is that you are able to stand unassisted for the duration of the flight. A certain amount of agility is also a benefit, particularly when climbing in and out. Otherwise, no special knowledge or physical conditions are required.
- However, we do recommend that people with heart or breathing problems should consult their doctor in advance.
- Pregnant women are not allowed to not climb to high altitudes.
8.3 Children
School-age Children are welcome with us - younger children only on our charter flights. However, we do advise against bringing children who are too small because they generally get bored after half an hour, but we leave the decision up to the parents.
By the way: children up to their 12th birthday fly with a discount of 20%. Only exception: Discovery and Charter (no price reduction for this flight).
8.4 Clothing
As well as sturdy footwear (walking shoes) clothing suitable for the temperatures is recommended. Dress as if you are going for a walk, but not too warmly. No wind blows into the basket and you can also feel the exhaust heat from the burner. Headgear is not mandatory but advantageous due to the heat of the burner. In the summer a T-shirt or shirt with a thicker jumper is sufficient for all eventualities. As our flights generally take place when the sun is shining, you must absolutely remember your sunglasses. Also remember to protect your skin from sunburn. Snow is also hugely reflective, especially in winter!
9. Complaint
Should the customer have cause for complaint or suffer damage, this must be notified to Take-Off Balloon LTD in writing within 5 days and confirmed. This confirmation is not an acknowledgement of fault. Take-Off Balloon LTD will endeavour to remedy the situation within the framework of the event and the possibilities. If no or insufficient remedial action is taken or if the customer wishes to assert claims for damages, the claims must be submitted to the provider in writing within 2 weeks of the contractual end of the activity. Any evidence must be enclosed with the complaint. All claims shall be forfeited if the complaint is submitted late or not submitted at all during the activity or if the claim is submitted late.
10. Insurance
10.1 Insurance Passengers
All Take-Off Balloon LTD offers are considered non-risk sports. Non-occupational accident insurance (e.g. SUVA) and health insurance must be in place and are the responsibility of the participant and must be presented on site on request. Cancellation insurance is recommended and is the responsibility of the participant.
10.2 Insurance Take-Off Balloon LTD
Carriage is subject to the liability provisions stipulated in the Ordinance on Air Transport (OATr) of August 17, 2005 for domestic and international transportation that is applicable at the time of travel and, where applicable, to the Montreal Convention of May 28, 1999 and EC Regulation No. 785/2004 of April 21, 2004. These pieces of legislation govern the liability of air carriers in the event of death or bodily injury of a passenger, for the loss or damage of baggage and for delay. Liability may be limited.
- For losses up to 128'821 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) liability may not be excluded or limited. Beyond this, the air carrier may exempt itself from liability under certain grounds for exoneration, defined by the legislation. For death or bodily injury, an advance payment is due for each passenger within 15 days from the date of identification of natural persons entitled to such compensation. In the event of death, at least 16’000 SDR are due.
- Liability for destruction, loss, damage, or delay to baggage, is limited to 1'288 SDR per passenger.
- Liability for delayed travel is limited to 5‘346 SDR per passenger.
- Benefits paid to persons entitled to compensation for damages from any passenger accident insurance policies the air carrier or aircraft owner may have taken out, and advance payments that the air carrier may be obligated to make under the applicable liability provisions must be credited in full against liability claims.
11. Liability
The liability of Take-Off Balloon LTD is limited to wilful intent and gross negligence, except in the case of injury to life, limb or health. Liability for slight negligence is excluded, unless it concerns the violation of essential contractual obligations.
12. Conditions of carriage
On entering the basket, each passenger tacitly accepts the legal conditions and that he/she has been sufficiently informed of the following by the pilot:
- He/she has read through a copy of this passenger instruction.
- He/she has been informed about the circumstances of the flight and its planned course.
- He/she is fit and healthy to start the planned balloon flight without any problems and is able to stand for the entire duration of this flight
- (except deluxe trips). A certain level of mobility, especially for getting in and out, is an advantage.
- Our recommendation that people with heart or breathing problems consult their doctor in advance.
- Pregnant women are not allowed to climb to high altitudes.
- He/she has been informed about the applicable insurance cover.
- He/she has been informed about the most important rules of conduct during take-off, during the flight and during landing.
- He/she agrees that pictures of him/her may be published on the website of the operator.
13. Permit
Take-Off Balloon LTD has a permit from the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Aviation (BAZL) for commercial balloon flights. The pre-requisite conditions for this permit are very strict safety and organisational regulations as well as very high insurance cover.
Operating licence available for download on our website www.ballonfahren.ch
14. Place of jurisdiction / applicable law
Studen BE is the exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising directly or indirectly from the contractual relationship.
The legal relationship is subject to Swiss law. Should one or more provisions of these GTC be or become invalid and/or incomplete, the invalid and/or incomplete provision shall be replaced by a legally valid provision that comes as close as possible to the invalid and/or incomplete provision in terms of its effectiveness. The invalidity and/or incompleteness of a provision shall not affect the validity of the other provisions.
