Easy to book and communicate with Marcel. However- a few things struck me with this experience that could be vastly improved upon. The flight time and takeoff points can vary widely just as an fyi. We understand this as it relates to wind and weather. But just know that you may be traveling much farther to complete this. Additionally, they did write that cable car and photos were an extra charge but here was the unfortunate part that we noted and should definitely be improved for overall customer satisfaction. The experience itself is expensive and therefore if you own a GoPro or insta360 they should communicate that if it has securing strap and an extender pole that it will be amazing to capture the experience for you. Instead of being told these simple things which means we could have had footage on our own insta360, we were told to bring it and the pilot decides. It was a no because we didn’t have a strap to secure. We felt preyed upon to “owe” them another 40 CHF to simply get the footage of the very short 7 min experience…. Our cable car was 20 CHF per person. We noticed based on a sign at the cable car that you can get punch passes for 10 rides for 80 CHF. This is what the instructor had and gave to the attendant. Therefore meaning our ride was 8 CHF and not 20 but he charged us 20… again a small things but preying on travelers isn’t the best look after the experience itself is already 500$ for 2 people. My spouse had a great experience with his pilot Jonas. I had a less fun and social experience with Marcel. It was “business as usual” for him and felt very underwhelming. My husband got cool still shots and lots of discussion while in flight and quite frankly I had no idea Marcel was even videoing etc. limited communication. My last comment is that for the short duration of 1 hour that the pilots were with us- they could speak English and have conversations with us but instead that simply ignored us and spoke german to one another until 1 min before takeoff.
It is a pity you didn’t express your dissatisfaction directly on site, as we would have been able to address and clarify some of your points right away. Of course, that is not always easy and one might need to discuss things first. Here are the facts: • Flight Duration & Conditions: The Earlybird flight is the most affordable option in our offer and is usually booked by travelers who are short on time and/or budget. We have had wonderful flights of this type over the past. The flight duration is strictly dictated by weather and wind conditions—we do not have an engine. • Cable Car Tickets: We use several locations for Earlybird flights, and our guests always pay exactly what the cable car ticket effectively costs. Depending on the spot, that is either 20 CHF or 30 CHF. We communicate this clearly, and the price list is visible both online and at the station. • Bringing Your Own Camera: The pilot is responsible for your safety, but also for the safety of people, animals, and property on the ground. If your Insta360 or any part of it falls, those items turn into dangerous projectiles. It is therefore essential that the entire setup is 100% secure. Selfie sticks—like the one you brought—are generally critical due to their length and multiple connecting parts. Additionally, takeoff conditions play a huge role (e.g., whether the pole could injure you or the pilot, or get tangled in the paraglider lines). So far, I communicated that the pilot (the only one responsible for the safety of your flight) decides on site. Jonas didn’t want to take the risk, that’s his right. Perhaps I should just ban all personal cameras altogether to make it crystal clear for everyone. • Photo & Video Service (40 CHF): With almost all tandem paragliding companies, you must pre-book the photo/video service in advance (or opt out). With us, you get to view the photos and videos after the flight and then decide whether you want to purchase them. We believe this is the fairest solution, so you never buy a pig in a poke. • Communication & Atmosphere: Moving to the most important point: I am truly sorry that you felt ignored. During the nearly 6-minute cable car ride, Jonas and I were catching up about our home lives with our young children (who are currently keeping us quite busy). Please accept our apologies for not involving you in the conversation; I should have saved that discussion for later. Additionally, once in the air, my primary focus is strictly on flying safely and getting the absolute best experience out of the flight for my passenger. This requires continuous focus and concentration, which is why I am naturally less talkative during the flight. Unfortunately, we have no control over the USD-CHF exchange rate. The Earlybird flight remains one of our most affordable options, and we usually receive wonderful feedback. We still hope you take home good memories of your time in the air.
