Watch Dubai Balloon soar 300 metres above Palm Jumeirah skyline


Sophie Prideaux
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In a towering city like Dubai, there are plenty of spots vying for the title of best view. And now, there’s a new contender in the mix, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Opening on Friday at Atlantis, The Palm is The Dubai Balloon, a tethered hot air balloon attraction that floats visitors up to 300 metres above Palm Jumeirah, offering 360-degree views.

The experience begins with a safety briefing from a member of the ground team, who explains that the helium-operated balloon will only be reaching half its height, at 150 metres, due to the weather (we fly on a hazy and slightly windy morning), which is fine by me as heights are not my strong suit.

Once the safety briefing is done, we hand over our boarding passes and head over to greet our captain, Harold, who is just as excited as we are.

  • The Dubai Balloon is about to take off at Atlantis, The Palm. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    The Dubai Balloon is about to take off at Atlantis, The Palm. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Dubai Balloon rises above Atlantis, The Palm
    The Dubai Balloon rises above Atlantis, The Palm
  • The attraction offers aerial views of Palm Jumeirah
    The attraction offers aerial views of Palm Jumeirah
  • The doughnut-shaped platform allows passengers to take in views from all angles
    The doughnut-shaped platform allows passengers to take in views from all angles
  • The new Atlantis The Royal hotel is visible to the left of the balloon
    The new Atlantis The Royal hotel is visible to the left of the balloon
  • The Palm's fronds are clearly visible from above
    The Palm's fronds are clearly visible from above
  • The balloon is capable of ascending up to 300 metres
    The balloon is capable of ascending up to 300 metres
  • On a clear day, visitors will be able to see the Downtown skyline
    On a clear day, visitors will be able to see the Downtown skyline
  • The round metal platform is capable of accommodating up to 20 passengers
    The round metal platform is capable of accommodating up to 20 passengers
  • The helium-powered balloon remains tethered during the flight
    The helium-powered balloon remains tethered during the flight
  • Harold Cruz, pilot of The Dubai Balloon, is on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly
    Harold Cruz, pilot of The Dubai Balloon, is on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly

The balloon is much larger than your average hot air balloon. It can accommodate up to 20 people in its doughnut-shaped passenger compartment basket, or gondola. Passengers are able to watch the ground fade away beneath them as they start to ascend, as well as take in the views facing outwards.

We are told to hold on to the safety rail as it starts to rise, in case of any bumps. We didn’t need to worry though, it’s a surprisingly smooth climb, interrupted only by a slight shake in my knees as the height starts to suddenly feel very real.

Once we reach our 150-metre peak for the day, I am able to relax a little (and feel secretly thankful that we didn’t make it all the way to 300 metres). The balloon floats high above both Atlantis, The Palm and its shiny new neighbour Atlantis The Royal, which sit on either side.

To the front, the famous outline of Palm Jumeirah is clear to see, with the water between the fronds glistening in the morning sunlight. Despite the morning haze, the towering Marina skyline is clearly visible, and on the horizon, you can just about make out the outline of Downtown.

While we can’t quite spot the tip of Burj Khalifa this morning, Harold assures us that passengers can get a great view when the skies are clearer. He also shows us photos of the view at sunset and at night, both of which are spectacular.

Harold encourages passengers to walk around the gondola, which is fitted out with a safety net, so everyone gets a moment to take in the views, and of course, snap their pictures from all angles. Although, it doesn’t matter where you’re standing — there are no bad photo spots here.

The experience lasts for about 10 minutes, before we are told to hold on to the rails again as we start to make our descent. Despite Harold joking that it was his “first landing”, we touch back down without a bump.

The experience costs D175 for adults and Dh75 for children (under threes go free), or you can get a fast pass ticket for Dh275 for adults and Dh125 for children, which includes a beverage in the Dubai Balloon lounge, where guests will finish their experience.

Considering how pricey standard hot air balloon rides can be (in Dubai, they average around Dh800), this is a more affordable way to enjoy the experience of being in a balloon, and taking in the city from one of the best viewpoints.

It’s definitely going to turn the stomachs of those who are not great with heights, but we promise you, the views are worth it.

Open daily from 9am to 7pm. More information is available at thedubaiballoon.com

Results

5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi

5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar

7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 390bhp

Torque: 400Nm

Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

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Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle

7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed

Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

'Brazen'

Director: Monika Mitchell

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler

Rating: 3/5

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

FIXTURES

All games 6pm UAE on Sunday: 
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Biog:

Age: 34

Favourite superhero: Batman

Favourite sport: anything extreme

Favourite person: Muhammad Ali 

The specs: 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 60kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed Electronic Precision Shift
Power: 204hp
Torque: 360Nm
​​​​​​​Range: 520km (claimed)

Updated: March 28, 2023, 6:14 AM