Skywatch-Skywaltz: Balloon ride cancelled, no refund

April 2015 Update: My ride was rescheduled and I got second time lucky. Here's the flight experience.

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For today's skywatch friday, its the story of aborted hot air balloon ride experience.

I had written earlier about the hot air balloon ride in Pune, being organized by Skywaltz. After paying Rs 16000 for the ride, another 20k had to be spent on flight ticket, stay, car rental and other misc expenses (for 2 people).

This post is an update on what happened on the day of our flight.

About 1 week after our booking and 10 days before the day we were supposed to fly, operator called us and informed us about deteriorating weather condition in Pune and asked if we can pre-pone it to next few days. That meant re-booking our flight at an additional expense of about 12000 per person (last minute return ticket costs a bomb).

I had to decide between 2 options:
Option 1: Take my chances- probably everything will go well and we'll have memorable moments. Or flight will get cancelled and big chunk of money (travel+stay+car etc) goes down the drain.

Option 2: Cancel the balloon flight and related arrangements. Loose 6-7k in cancellation of air ticket and other bookings, but get to save rest of the amount. But if balloon takes off on the day, I would end up regretting my cancellation.

With some debate, I told the organizer I can't make that ad-hoc re-scheduling, will stick to the plan and take our chances.

Skywaltz facebook page continued to promote the event and solicit bookings, without any updates on weather, previous cancellations or other critical information.

Last weekend, we went to Lonavala as per plan. It was a big relief that weather was normal- no rains, no strong winds. Visited Lavasa and few other places around Lonavala and we were eagerly awaiting for the flight next day.

Previous night we received instructions as to where to come. (Depending on wind they decide from where to take off, so this location is not fixed)

On the day of flight, we woke up early and drove to destination ahead of given time. We met the skywaltz crew on the highway and were driven few kms inside to an open area.

The entire balloon and its accessories would fit on the back of a pickup truck. They unpacked it, spread out the balloon skin on the ground and started filling cold air to inflate it.

Everything looked normal and we were waiting for the moment when we will be in the basket.

We were given a briefing- not to go too close, be mindful of the ropes, ride would take about an hour, landing position to be taken moments before touchdown and so on. We were told the pilot is waiting for final weather report.

Sun started raising near the horizon. We were supposed to see sunrise from the air inside the balloon. We were still on the ground.



Now the balloon looked big. Filling of cold air was almost done. Next step would be to erect it fully and ask passengers to board it. There was light wind teasing the balloon. Everyone got busy taking their pics with balloon in the backdrop and instantly uploading on social media networks.


Few moments later, we were called again and without wasting much time, were told upright that flight is cancelled. This was reportedly because wind report wasn't favorable. If we take off, landing could be difficult later and there could be injuries to people.

We were told marketing team will get in touch with us about the money we'd paid. We were dropped off on the highway.

That's 20k+16k to watch how a balloon is inflated. I could do a AFF Skydiving with that money!

Disappointed, we drove back to resort, checked out and returned to Pune. We could have checked few more places in and around Lonavala, but weren't really in good mindset to enjoy anything.

1.5 days since the cancellation, no communication from the marketing team about refund. When I call, I am pointed to the terms and condition that says there's no such thing like a refund. Once you pay them that money is gone for good, irrespective of the service.

If flight is cancelled due to bad weather, those who'd booked on that day will be given another slot next season. This means to recover my 16k I should now spend another 10-12k for another trip to Pune.

I asked how many slots I'll be given next season- can I get 10 continuous slots- such that if I camp in Pune for 10 days there's very high possibility that on at least one of these 10 days balloon will take off. I am told only 1 slot will be given next season, nothing more.

I ask them what happens if it gets cancelled next time also. "Sir it won't happen" was the immediate answer. "How can you be sure?" I challenge him- will I be given one more slot subsequent season, I should try my luck for third time and this will go on forever? With some hesitation, I am told that if it is cancelled second time also then I will get refund. (Why not call this out in Terms and Conditions?)

I understand Skywaltz's temptation to hold on to the money. But they loose lots of goodwill in the process. If they give prompt refund, customers will be happy and would naturally book again next season. By holding on to the money, they hurt people more, given that they'd already be disappointed with the cancellation.

Transfer of booking to another person is allowed.

I was looking forward to share my experience and promote balloon ride and skywaltz a bit. But now all my focus will be on recovering the money and I don't want to recommend this to anyone- as they may also face similar situation and end up blaming me for suggesting this. Book at your own risk.

Note: Skywaltz is legally correct- Booking terms clearly stated that there's no refund, the uncertainity of flight due to bad weather was well known and crew did make their best effort to fly. Nature is in no one's control and safety is important. All that is fine. But skywaltz is overlooking one basic factor- every happy customer can bring in 2-3 more customer and each disappointed customer can turn off 10-20 potential customers. So while they can hold on to a customer's booking amount, unknowingly they'll be loosing more money, as other prospects hesitate to book hearing negative experience.

That is the story so far. Month of May hasn't been very kind on me- after loosing money after car is hit with a tractor, this is second debacle.

Also this leaves us with another question- with so much technological advances, why can't we control a hot air balloon effectively? With some navigation aids- may be a rudder or a flab- mechanical or otherwise, why can't a hot air balloon be made maneuverable similar to say a helicopter?

Related: My Skydiving Experience * Scuba diving experience * 10 Adventure activities you could try in Karnataka *