About us
Passenger balloon rides since 1997
Adventure is in our blood. In fact, Bertels Ballooning is the life's work of Danny Bertels, better known in the Antwerp area as a talented water skier and powerboat racer. In 1995, he added hot-air ballooning to his list of achievements. In 1997 this skill was transformed into a professional ballooning company for passengers in Antwerp and the Antwerp Campine. The organisation and its management have been in the hands of Peter De Bock since 1999. Just like Danny, Peter is an experienced and passionate, certified balloon pilot. Something you can't help but notice when you fly with him!
Nowadays, Bertels Ballooning is a unique ballooning company that is involved with all facets of hot-air ballooning. Both for private individuals as well as for companies. For every occasion, party or company event, we take off with one of our 6 hot-air balloons and an enthusiastic team of experienced employees and pilots. All of them specially trained by Bertels Ballooning. Add to that our flexible service and warm reception and you are in for the ultimate hot-air experience.
Amazing launch locations
The launch sites depend on the formula you choose. If you go for a standard balloon ride, then we offer you a boarding pass for each member of your party with one of our standard locations as your launch site, which we will choose based on the wind direction and speed. If you decide on a private balloon ride, then you may choose a launch terrain yourself. A grass field or pasture that is at least 50 x 50 metres is ideal. The field must be easily accessible to our terrain vehicle, and you must have the owner's permission.
Our balloons lift-off at the following locations
- Brasschaat - Park Van Brasschaat
- Wommelgem - Sint Jansveld
- Pulderbos - Molen
- Halle-Zoersel - Brakenberg
- Sint-Antonius - Sint-Theunisplein
- Antwerp Linkeroever - Blancefloerlaan
- Geel - Rauwelkoven
- Turnhout - Stadspark
- Brecht - De Merel
- Deurne – Bosuil
- Gierle – Lilse bergen
- Rijkevorsel – De Valk sports centre
Our hot-air balloons
Bertels Ballooning has 6 hot-air balloons in various sizes. Our balloons are all manufactured by European constructors and comply fully with European safety regulations. Our baskets are comfortable, with space for 2 to 14 passengers.
Everyone recognises our yellow ‘Smiley’ balloon from afar—it has become the Bertels Ballooning mascot. During a standard balloon ride (one boarding pass per passenger), you share the basket with other passengers from other groups. If you decide on a private ballooning adventure, then the basket is exclusively reserved for your group.
Take a look at our pricesPilots
Bertels Ballooning flies with experienced, balloon-certified pilots. Our balloonists guide you over the City of Antwerp or over the Campine.
Peter De Bock
Peter De Bock went up in a balloon for the first time when he was 10 years old, and he has been a certified balloon pilot since 1998. Peter is our chief pilot and balloonist instructor. Peter was able to transform his passion into his career and now runs the company.
Arnaud Swolfs
Arnaud Swolfs comes from Waasland and so was automatically bitten by the ballooning bug. He became a full-fledged balloonist in 2004. Arnaud always goes a little bit crazy when he gets to float above Antwerp in a balloon. You can find him on Instagram at flyingswolfs.
Laurent Verstraeten
Laurent Verstraeten literally grew up ballooning. He is the son of Wim Verstraeten, the man who first set up commercial ballooning in Belgium. Laurent is a professional airplane pilot but also enjoys every single balloon flight.
Dimitri Roose
Dimitri Roose is our most recent qualified balloonist. After years in the ground crew, he earned his ballooning qualification in 2015.
Partners
