About Rainbow Ryders
Rainbow Ryders is the Southwest's largest hot air balloon company, with over four decades of experience launching sunrise and sunset flights across the Phoenix and Scottsdale metro area. Founded in 1982, they have carried hundreds of thousands of passengers over the Sonoran Desert, earning a reputation as one of the most trusted and well-run balloon operators in the United States. Their FAA-certified pilots average thousands of flight hours each, and the company maintains one of the industry's strongest safety records.
Flights depart daily at sunrise year-round, with sunset flights available from November through March. Each trip lasts approximately one hour in the air, preceded by a fascinating inflation and launch sequence and followed by a celebratory champagne toast and light breakfast or hors d'oeuvres. Passengers float at altitudes ranging from treetop level to several thousand feet, taking in panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains, Camelback Mountain, and the vast desert floor dotted with saguaro cacti and mesquite washes.
Rainbow Ryders stands out for the polish and consistency of their operation. Hotel pickup is available from most Scottsdale and Phoenix resorts, the ground crew is efficient and welcoming, and the pilots double as entertaining narrators who point out landmarks and wildlife below. Private and semi-private flights are available for proposals, anniversaries, and corporate events, making Rainbow Ryders a go-to for special occasions as much as bucket-list adventures.
