Skyway Balloons — Local services in Göreme

This was an amazing ride, but the balloon had a hard landing and we got injured. I ended up with neck pain, my wife's sister had 3 bones broken, her daughter was hit on the head, and a lady in the next box had arm scratches. These injuries could have been mitigated if proper safety procedures had been followed.

The Pilot's pre-flight safety briefing was inadequate, rushed, and unplanned, lasting under a minute, and was conducted while we were already inside the basket and the balloon was already taking off. His English pronunciation was difficult to understand. At least someone from the support team with better English skills should have trained us during the several minutes it took to inflate the balloon with hot air, before we boarded the basket.

The pilot told us to face forward, but did not train us on the correct landing position. There were no mock demonstrations, written instructions, or diagrams illustrating the correct posture. Unlike other balloon companies we researched, this one failed to explain or demonstrate key landing procedures, such as sitting against the basket wall, bending knees for impact, holding the internal rope wall handles, tucking the chin to the chest, and using the wall to exit safely after landing.

Because the Pilot did not instruct us to tuck our chins to our chests, when we landed, my head and neck were thrown violently backwards. And, because my sister in law's daughter was not instructed to hold on securely using the handles, she was tossed against her mother's eye, causing further injury. Also, the Pilot did not do a countdown before touching ground, or if he did, we did not say it loud enough to help us brace.

My wife's sister endured excruciating pain for hours. Despite my repeated requests, no ambulance was provided. Only after I insisted vehemently, after about 20 minutes, did they reluctantly bring a pickup truck. It took another 30 minutes to reach a hospital. We asked to be taken to a good facility, but to save costs, they took her to a government hospital, where the treatment was careless, indifferent, and inadequate despite her severe pain.

At that hospital, they applied the cast incorrectly (60 degrees instead of 90 degrees). I was initially barred from the emergency room, even though two men from the balloon company were allowed inside. After I protested and forced my way in, I was able to speak with the doctor. Eventually, they transferred her to Versa, a private hospital, where she received better care. Later, back in Istanbul, we had her examined at another private hospital. They conducted CT scans of her foot and X-rays of her head and eye. Her daughter also had head X-rays, and more bone fractures were discovered. Now, back in the US, after 5 weeks, she is still having double vision and foot pain.

Given that such accidents can occur, the balloon company should be equipped with pain relief sprays or other topical analgesics, a first-aid kit, a dedicated vehicle, and trained emergency personnel on-site.

In the U.S., pilots are required to have a second-class medical certificate. Even if the pilot lacks medical training, someone on the support team should be certified in first aid. Turkey’s hot air balloon regulatory bodies—the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA), or Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (SHGM)—must address these safety lapses immediately. Failure to do so risks viral social media exposure and significant damage to Cappadocia’s...

Our experience with Skyway Balloons was absolutely phenomenal! This was the only hot air balloon service that took us to an incredible height of 1000 meters, providing us with breathtaking views that were simply unmatched. From the moment we arrived, the staff was friendly and professional, making sure we felt safe and well-informed throughout the journey.

The views from such an altitude were truly spectacular, offering a panoramic perspective that took our breath away. Floating above the landscape, we were able to see for miles in every direction, capturing stunning vistas and creating memories that will last a lifetime. The pilot was skilled and knowledgeable, adding interesting commentary and making the entire experience even more enjoyable.

If you're looking for the best hot air balloon experience, look no further than Skyway Balloons. Their commitment to excellence and their unique ability to reach such heights set them apart from the rest. We highly recommend this service to anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure. Five stars...

I booked a balloon flight with this company through my hostel. The flight itself was great but the service was terrible. They picked me up half an hour late so we didn’t get to go up in the air until 6:45am and missed the best part of sunrise. We were supposed to have breakfast snacks while the balloon was lighting up but they just gave us a bag with a couple of snacks and told us to get in the basket within a few minutes of getting there. They put me in a group with 33 Belgiums who were there together for a wedding. One person missed out on the flight so I got the blame for this even though apparently I booked first. The group were horrible to me and to the tour company with one particular lady screaming at us. In the end the guide just said he didn’t care. It seems like these companies are just interested in the cash and don’t care about the service they deliver. It was a terrible experience for me and a waste of 190€. Would...