First Tandem Paragliding Flight: What to Expect and How to Prepare

What happens during a tandem paragliding flight?

1. The briefing

Your pilot meets you at the take-off site 15 to 30 minutes before the flight. They check the wind, explain the take-off procedure and fit your harness. You will get one clear instruction: run forward when they say go. Do not stop, do not sit down, do not grab the lines. That is genuinely all you need to do.

Most operators provide a helmet. Some include a GoPro or offer one for rent. Ask before you arrive so you know whether to bring your own camera.

2. Take-off

Take-off is the moment that scares people the most, and it lasts about five seconds. The pilot inflates the wing behind you, you take three to five brisk steps downhill and the canopy lifts you both off the ground. There is no jump, no cliff edge, no freefall. The transition from running to flying is so smooth that most first-timers laugh out of pure surprise.

Wind conditions determine the exact technique. On a calm day you run a few metres. In stronger wind the canopy fills almost instantly and you barely need to move.

3. The flight

Once airborne you sit back in the harness like a reclined chair. Your hands are free. You can take photos, film, or simply look around.

Pilots use thermals (rising columns of warm air) to gain altitude and ridge lift along mountainsides to extend the flight. A discovery flight covers 10 to 15 minutes of airtime. If you booked a longer flight, expect 20 to 35 minutes with possible spirals, wingovers or other manoeuvres if you ask for them. The pilot will always check first.

Communication is easy. You are sitting right in front of your pilot and can talk at normal volume.

4. Landing

The pilot flies a landing pattern into the wind and flares the canopy a few metres above the ground. You stand up in the harness and take a couple of steps on touchdown. Most landings feel like hopping off a low wall. In strong conditions you might slide in on your backside, which looks ungraceful but is perfectly standard.

The whole experience from briefing to landing takes about one hour, sometimes 90 minutes at busy sites.

Do you need to worry about vertigo or motion sickness?

Vertigo is a fear triggered by heights when you can see a physical reference point (a balcony rail, a cliff edge). In a paraglider you are floating in open air with no fixed reference below your feet. The vast majority of people who suffer vertigo on balconies feel completely fine under a wing.

Motion sickness is a different question. Turbulent air, tight turns and aerobatic manoeuvres can trigger nausea in sensitive people. If you know you get carsick easily, tell your pilot before take-off. They will fly smooth, wide turns and avoid spirals.

Statistically, tandem paragliding has a strong safety record. Pilots hold professional certifications and fly the same sites hundreds of times per season. For a deeper look at risk factors, read the paragliding risk guide.

What to wear for a paragliding flight

At take-off altitude (typically 800 to 1,500 m above the landing zone) it is noticeably cooler than in the valley. Even in July, budget for a 5 to 10 °C drop.

Summer (May to September)

• Trainers or light hiking shoes that lace up (no sandals, no slip-ons)
• Long trousers or leggings (the harness rubs on bare skin)
• A light windproof jacket you can zip up at altitude
• Sunglasses with a strap or cord
• Sunscreen on face and neck

Avoid anything loose or dangling: scarves, open jackets, unsecured hats.

Winter or shoulder season

Flying in the Alps or Pyrenees between October and March means genuine cold at altitude, sometimes below zero.

• Warm hiking boots with ankle support (take-off sites can be icy)
• Thermal base layer plus a fleece mid-layer
• Windproof and ideally waterproof outer jacket
• Gloves (thin enough to operate a phone camera if you want footage)
• Buff or neck gaiter

Operators in Zillertal and Interlaken fly year-round and will advise on specific kit when you book.

When is the best time to fly?

Spring and summer (April to September)

This is peak season across the Alps and most of continental Europe. Thermals are strongest between late morning and mid-afternoon, which means longer flights and more altitude gain. Annecy, Interlaken and Innsbruck all run at full capacity from May to September.

Book at least a week ahead during July and August. Popular sites sell out fast.

Autumn and winter

The season does not stop in October. Mediterranean and Atlantic sites fly well into November. The Canary Islands and Alicante (from €65) offer reliable conditions year-round thanks to coastal thermals and mild temperatures.

In the Alps, winter flying is spectacular on clear days but depends heavily on weather windows. Fewer operators run, fewer tourists compete for slots and prices sometimes drop. Check the conditions guide for details on wind, rain and cloud limits.

Best spots for a first tandem flight

Interlaken is the most iconic site in Europe and frequently tops best-paragliding lists worldwide. If budget allows, it delivers. For a breakdown of pricing across all major European sites, see the paragliding cost guide.

Zillertal deserves a special mention. Ten operators compete in one valley, which keeps prices fair and availability high. The wide, forgiving terrain makes it a favourite among pilots for introducing beginners. Check paragliding in Interlaken or browse all options from our Zillertal page.

Which type of flight should you choose?

Discovery flight (10 to 15 minutes)

The standard first experience. You launch, enjoy the view, glide down. Enough time to relax, take photos and absorb the sensation without it dragging on. Prices range from €65 in Spain to €191 in Switzerland.

If you are unsure whether you will enjoy it, start here.

Thrill flight (20 to 35 minutes)

A longer flight with optional aerobatics: spirals, wingovers, asymmetric collapses (controlled). Pilots use thermals to gain extra altitude, which extends airtime. Expect to pay €20 to €50 more than a discovery flight at the same site.

This option suits anyone who already knows they enjoy the sensation of flight, or anyone who simply wants more time in the air. The extra minutes make a real difference. At 10 minutes you are still processing the novelty. At 25 minutes you start to genuinely feel what flying is like.

Intro course

Some schools offer a half-day or full-day introduction where you handle the wing yourself under supervision. This is not a tandem flight. You launch solo from a training hill (a gentle slope, 10 to 20 m high) and practise ground handling, inflation and short glides.

A full intro course typically costs €150 to €250 and is the first step if you want to eventually fly solo. It does not replace the tandem experience though. Do both.