###### It's ok to be scared of heights
7.5% of all people on the planet have some anxiety about heights. They even have a name for it Acrophobia. The good news is that we've taken thousands of guests flying in our hot air balloons, and almost everyone finds it peaceful and relaxing. Even folks who had some apprehension before the flight found themselves giving up their grip on the uprights in less than 10 minutes. Here are some common questions from guests that had some anxiety toward heights:
###### What does it feel like to fly in a hot air balloon?
The balloon ascends very gradually, and most people barely notice that the basket has left the ground. The basket is completely still as it floats through the air and does not swing or rock. After the initial ascension, most passengers don't hold on at all and start taking photos with their phones.
###### What does it feel like when the balloon descends?
Most of the time it's not even noticeable. Hot air balloons typically descend at 100-400 ft per minute, whereas typical commercial airplane flights descend at 700-1500ft per minute.
###### What About the Wind?
Hot air balloons move with the wind. What you'll notice is that the flight is silent (except for the noise of the burner ever 20 seconds or so). We also do not fly in fast wind or any bad weather. You can also learn more about how balloons are controlled on our [FAQ video page](https://seattleballooning.com/faqs).
###### Still worried about going up in a balloon?
Our pilots have a 100% safety rating and are some of the top hot air balloon pilots in the world. They are happy to answer any question you may have prior and during flight. If you want to go on a hot air balloon ride but are nervous or afraid, feel free to reach out to us via phone. We are happy to answer your questions and put your mind at ease. Just remember that we have helped thousands of passengers celebrate their anniversaries, birthdays, and cross hot air balloon ride off their bucket lists. We know you'll have an amazing experience as well. If you are ready to book now, you can select a date by clicking on the [online book button here](https://seattleballooning.com).
