Questions, answered.

How do I launch a flight?

Tap anywhere on land on the map to set a destination, then tap "Prepare for launch". Flights always start from your current location.

Why can't I land on water?

Hot air balloons can't set down on water, so ocean and lake taps are blocked. Pick a spot over solid ground.

Why is my destination greyed out?

Every balloon has a max distance it can drift in one launch. Pick somewhere closer, swap to a longer-range balloon, or buy Cargo Basket upgrades in the Hangar to extend your range by +10% per tier.

What affects my flight time?

Distance, your balloon's speed (plus any Speed Boost upgrades), and the wind along your route. A tailwind shortens the trip; a headwind lengthens it.

What are stands?

Stands are real points on the map you drift over. Each one banks +25 bonus points on top of the distance points you earn. Wider-visibility balloons sweep a bigger corridor and find more stands per route.

What do the upgrades do?

Speed Boost adds +1 mph to base speed. Wind Rider adds +10% to your point multiplier. Cargo Basket extends your max drift distance by +10%. Navigation widens your visibility radius by +10% — more stands and more rare artifact finds. All four max at tier 3; each tier costs 250 / 500 / 1,000 coins.

What are artifacts?

Artifacts are collectibles that randomly drop during flights — some anywhere, some only when you pass over a specific real-world location. Browse what you've found in Settings → Progress → Artifacts.

Can I speed up a flight in progress?

Yes. Tap the ⋯ button on the Flight screen and pick "Gust of Wind" (100 coins) to shave an hour off your remaining landing time. You can use multiple gusts to stack the discount.

Can I change my destination after launch?

Yes. Tap the ⋯ button on the Flight screen and pick "Reroute" (200 coins), then tap a new destination. Your total distance budget rolls over — if a balloon with a 500 mi range has drifted 400 mi, you can reroute up to another 100 mi. Points are recomputed on the full cumulative trip.

What if I land somewhere terrible?

Tap the ⚠ button on the Flight screen for an emergency landing. It costs 100 coins, ends the flight where you are, and rolls a random outcome — sometimes a gentle meadow, sometimes spooked livestock.

I bought a balloon before but it's missing — how do I get it back?

Open the Store and tap "Restore Purchases" at the bottom. Apple/Google will hand us your purchase history and we'll re-grant any balloons that didn't make it onto this device.

How do friends work?

Add a pilot by username to send a request. Once they accept, you'll see each other's balloons drifting on the map.

How do I earn coins and points?

Complete flights to bank points and coins. Spend coins in the Store on new balloons and on upgrades in the Hangar.

What does the rarity badge mean?

Balloons come in five rarities — common, uncommon, rare, epic, legendary. Higher rarity generally means bigger multipliers, longer range, and a wider visibility corridor.

How do achievements work?

You unlock badges automatically as you fly: your first flight, distance milestones, stands visited, and more. Browse what you've earned in Settings → Progress → Achievements.

How do avatars work?

Pick the icon shown next to your name on the Friends page. You start with six free avatars; more can be bought with coins in the Store. Choose your equipped avatar in Settings → Profile. Purely cosmetic — they don't affect flying or balloons.