Hot Air ApS – Balloon Flights over Zealand

Ballooning above the heart of Zealand

Hot Air ApS is based in a quiet business district in Ringsted, but its real setting is the sky above central Zealand. From launch sites typically chosen around Sorø and the countryside near Jystrup and Ringsted, the company’s balloons rise gently over patchwork fields, low woods and glinting lakes. As you leave the ground, farm tracks and village streets turn into a neat grid, and Ringsted’s church towers become tiny landmarks in a broad green landscape. Balloon flights here are shaped by the wind. Instead of a fixed route, each journey follows the air currents of the day, so no two flights are quite the same. On a clear evening, views can stretch across Zealand’s rolling interior, with the horizon fading into a soft blue haze and the sun catching red-tiled roofs and ponds below.

The slow rhythm of a classic flight

A typical experience with Hot Air ApS lasts several hours from meeting point to farewell, with about an hour actually in the air. Before launch, the deflated envelope is stretched out on the grass and the burners roar to life, filling the balloon with warm air. Watching the fabric rise and take shape is part of the theatre – you see the basket tip upright and suddenly your flying craft is ready. Once airborne, the noise of the burners comes in brief bursts between long stretches of near-silence. You drift at the same speed as the wind, so there is almost no sensation of breeze on your face. Below, you can trace hedgerows, streams and wildlife corridors that are invisible from the road. The landing is usually on a farmer’s field or open meadow, wherever the pilot finds a suitable spot, followed by packing away the balloon and a relaxed debrief on the ground.

Pilots, safety and professionalism

Hot Air ApS operates as an approved commercial balloon company under Danish aviation regulations, with licensed, highly experienced pilots at the burners. The team includes competition-trained pilots and technical staff responsible for maintenance, ensuring that burners, envelopes and baskets are kept to strict safety standards. Briefings before take-off cover basic safety, landing positions and what to expect from the flight, all delivered in an approachable, reassuring tone. Ballooning is weather-dependent, so flights are only confirmed when wind and visibility meet defined limits, and flexibility around rescheduling is a normal part of the experience.

Season, light and weather moods

In Denmark, passenger balloon flights are generally concentrated in the milder months, when early mornings and evenings offer calm air and gentle temperatures. Flights usually take place in the first hours after sunrise or the last hours before sunset, when the light is low and soft and the atmosphere is most stable. On clear days, you may enjoy long panoramic views and dramatic shadows cast across fields and forests. On days with scattered cloud, the landscape below appears in shifting patches of sun and shade, adding texture to the scenery. Cooler air at altitude is common, even in summer, which is why layers and closed shoes are recommended for comfort in the basket.

Who will enjoy this experience

Hot Air ApS is best suited to travellers who enjoy unhurried, contemplative experiences rather than high-adrenaline thrills. Couples often choose balloon flights as a romantic gesture, while families with older children see it as a memorable shared adventure. It also works well for photographers and anyone keen to see Zealand’s countryside from a new angle. Standing shoulder to shoulder in a wicker basket, you share a small space with fellow passengers and pilot, which naturally creates a sociable, communal atmosphere. At the same time, the quiet and the wide-open views invite moments of personal reflection as you float between earth and sky.

Ringsted and the wider balloon scene

Ringsted sits roughly in the middle of Zealand, making it a practical base for exploring the region’s ballooning culture. The area periodically hosts balloon gatherings and fiestas, where dozens of balloons launch over the town and surrounding countryside, turning the sky into a colourful display. Whether you join a regular commercial flight or time your visit with a balloon event, Hot Air ApS connects you with one of aviation’s oldest forms: drifting wherever the wind allows, watching the world slide by in silence, then returning gently to the fields of central Denmark.