(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog

(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog

In our last two reports, Wings-Aviation covered the AERO airshow in Friedrichshafen and the Dornier Museum. We would like to round up our coverage of Friedrichshafen with a flight report on a Zeppelin, which our editorial member Andy Herzog took on 20th. September 2025.

The zeppelin’s landing area for passengers to disembark and embark. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

The Zeppelin hangar, where the airships are parked overnight. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

The mobile mooring mast is standing by on a lorry, ready to pull the Zeppelin into the hangar overnight after its final flight. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Zeppelin D-LZNT (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Zeppelin D-LZNT (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Flying – or travelling (whatever you prefer to call it) – in a Zeppelin is a truly special experience that you won’t forget in a hurry. There is only one manufacturer in the world that produces such airships for commercial passenger flights in small numbers. It is located right on our doorstep on Lake Constance in Friedrichshafen, Germany, near the Swiss border.

Only four Zeppelins have been built up now and are currently in service. Three Zeppelins are in service in Germany and another one is flying in the USA. Needless to say, I was thrilled when my former working colleagues presented me with a voucher for a trip on a airship to mark my retirement.

Final safety briefing for passengers by the crew before the flight. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

The Zeppelin is enormous! (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

One of the three Textron Lycoming engines that propel the Zeppelin to a maximum speed of 125 km/h. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Measuring 10 metres in length and just 2.30 metres in width, the cabin is cramped for passengers, but very comfortable. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

My flight on 20th. September 2025
The route took me from Friedrichshafen via Immenstaad, Hagnau, Meersburg, Mainau Island, Konstanz and Kreuzlingen, before returning to Friedrichshafen (Blue Route ‘Mainau’).
There’s no question that it was an unforgettable experience for an ‘aviation enthusiast’ like me. I’ve been on so many flights in my life, in all sorts of different aircraft and countries. But until now, I’d never had the chance to fly in a ZEPPELIN. It was an absolute ‘aviation highlight’ for me!

Friedrichshafen from above, with the ferry service to Konstanz. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

The bay of Friedrichshafen, with the Swiss Alps in the background. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

A view of the rear of the Zeppelin over Immenstaad on Lake Constance. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see and a magnificent vineyard near Hagnau on Lake Constance. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Near Meersburg, the Swiss Alps were looking their best. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Rear of the cabin. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

High-tech in the Zeppelin’s cockpit. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

The ferry services between Konstanz and Friedrichshafen are the busiest in Europe – and the only inland waterway services that operate 24 hours a day!

Scenes of a golden sunset over Lake Constance.  (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Scenes of a golden sunset over Lake Constance.  (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Zeppelin GmbH in Friedrichshafen owns three Zeppelin NTs (NT standing for: New Technology). Two Zeppelins are based in Friedrichshafen (D-LZBW) and (D-LZNT), while one Zeppelin are based in Essen/Mühlhausen (D-LZFN) for flights over the Ruhr region, offering views of all the former coal mines from high above. And one Zeppelin (D-LZGY) is flying its rounds for ‘Goodyear Company’ in America. Zeppelin GmbH, Friedrichshafen, is the only company in the world that offers commercial flights in a Zeppelin.

Scenes of a golden sunset over Lake Constance.  (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

The last flight of the day is coming to an end and the Zeppelin is being moored to the anchor mast. (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog)

Technical specifications of the Zeppelin

And finally, the ‘quote’ that sums it all up perfectly with a Zeppelin:
‘In an airship, you don’t fly, you don’t drive; instead, you travel in the most beautiful way one can associate with the word “travelling”.’

Eckhard Breuer, CEO of Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH, Friedrichshafen

Published: 24. Mai 2026

Written: 18. May 2026

Report No. 366