How high balloons can fly
Flight altitude depends on the balloon type: weather and specialized gas balloons can rise well above 5 km. In 2002, Steve Fossett made the first solo, non-stop balloon circumnavigation: he launched on June 19, crossed the start line on July 2 and landed on July 3. The flight lasted 13 days, 8 hours and 33 minutes—about 14 days.
Fossett’s flight lasted nearly two weeks and ended on 3 July 2002.