In the Winter 1999, Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard and British flight instructor Brian Jones embark on an attempt to complete the last great aviation challenge of the 20th century, to circumnavigate the globe, nonstop in a hot-air balloon. Rival teams are lifting off across the worldand the race is on to be the first to write their name in the history books. Working together, Piccard and Jones must overcome extreme weather conditions, survive potentially fatal technical failures and endure increasing mental and physical exhaustion if they want to make it.