An April Fool's joke learns to fly

International

Eurowings hot air balloon now takes off regularly from the sunny island of Mallorca.

From April Fool's joke to reality: from now on, a hot air balloon called “Burgundy Dreams” will float over Mallorca, from which Europe's No. 1 vacation island can be explored in a completely different way – at an altitude of up to 500 meters and without any aircraft windows. The large balloon bears the colours and lettering of Eurowings, but that alone is not what makes it special, as it also shows the outline of an airplane: a cockpit at the front, the tail unit at the back and the wings on the sides.

The story began as an April Fool's joke: “Eurowings is entering the hot air ballooning business,” read a press release from 1 April 2024. The response to the story was so great that balloon pilots applied to Eurowings by the dozen and numerous interested parties asked when the Mallorca flights in the burgundy balloon would actually start. In view of the euphoria, Germany's No. 1 vacation airline remembered its favourite role as a dream fulfiller – and had the unusual flying object produced without further ado. The balloon was specially made in a factory in Barcelona.

“As the largest airline to and from Mallorca, it is part of our brand essence to convey vacation fun,” says Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof. “An April Fool's joke can fly – except that instead of the announced scheduled service from Dusseldorf to Mallorca, there are now balloon trips over the sunny island.”

The M160 hot air balloon is operated by Mallorca Balloons, who have been active on the Balearic island for 37 years. It takes off from the Manacor balloon port in the center of the island. The balloon has a capacity of more than 4,500 cubic meters and is eight floors or more than 22 meters high. The basket under the balloon can accommodate four to five passengers.

“Experience Eurowings like in a convertible – passengers can enjoy this feeling in the open basket under the balloon,” explains Ricardo Aracil, head of Mallorca Balloons, jokingly. “Ballooning is the epitome of relaxed travel.”

The new tourist attraction is available all year round and tours can be booked via the mallorcaballoons.com website. A standard hot air balloon ride costs from 188 euros, Eurowings guests receive a ten percent discount.

Video footage of production and first flight for download: https://f.io/8ql01E6b