Helium & Lighting Balloons
What You Need To Know
At Airstar North, our lighting balloons are filled by helium — a lighter-than-air gas that lifts and stabilizes our products while giving you the stunning, elevated illumination you need for your film, tv series or event.
Helium is safe, non-flammable, and perfect for achieving that effortless floating effect. But, like any gas, it’s influenced by environmental conditions. Understanding a few basics can help you plan for the best results — and understand why costs can vary.
How Helium Works In Our Balloons
Helium molecules are lighter than the air around us. When we fill a balloon, the helium pushes against the inside walls, creating lift. The more helium inside, the more buoyancy and stability we get — which is crucial for keeping your lighting balloon properly positioned and glowing beautifully.
Factors That Affect Helium Performance
Wind
While helium gives our balloons lift, wind puts extra strain on them.
In breezy or gusty conditions, we may use heavier tethers and occasionally increase helium volume for stability.
Strong winds can require additional safety measures that impact setup time and cost.
Altitude
Higher elevations mean lower air density, so helium generates less lift.
Filming and Events at mountain resorts or high-altitude cities may require more helium than the same balloon at sea level.
Duration
Helium naturally escapes over time — even from high-quality materials.
For single and multi-day shoot days and events, we may need to top up helium to keep your balloon fully functional.
Temperature
Cold weather: Helium contracts in lower temperatures, reducing lift. Your balloon may need more helium in winter or during overnight shoots/events.
Hot weather: Helium expands in heat, which can increase internal pressure. We sometimes adjust fill levels to prevent stress on the balloon material.
Result: Seasonal or day/night temperature swings can change the amount of helium we need — and therefore influence cost.