The Graf Zeppelin, which first flew in 1928, "is considered the finest airship ever built," according to the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. Over a 10-year span, it flew a total of more than 1 million miles, including 144 ocean crossings, a trip over the Artic, and a 12-day voyage around the world.
This picture, from July 1931, shows the scale of the Graf Zeppelin, which was a sister ship to the Hindenburg. From the Airship Ventures FAQ: "Historic Zeppelins were much larger and were designed to accommodate passengers in many areas of the airship. The giant passenger Zeppelins of pre-1940 had rooms built within the hull, and passengers could travel, dine and sleep within the massive structure...The Hindenburg was 803 feet long, and carried roughly 50 passengers and 50 crew."
Photo by U.S. Coast Guard
Caption by Jonathan Skillings
