A hot-air balloon flight when the balloon is not attached to the ground is called a free flight.
During a free flight, the balloon rises and travels with the wind rather than remaining connected to a launch vehicle, winch, or ground crew. The pilot controls altitude by heating the air inside the envelope or allowing it to cool, while horizontal movement mainly follows differing wind directions at various heights.
The term distinguishes free flight from tethered operations, in which ropes keep a balloon close to a launch site. Tethered flights are common at festivals, fairs, and introductory events because they limit distance and simplify recovery.
Free flight does not mean the balloon is independently steerable like an airplane. Pilots can choose altitude and sometimes find a favorable wind layer, but the balloon generally drifts with the surrounding air. This distinction is central to understanding balloon navigation.