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Anyone who is a fan of the 1968 fantasy film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will remember scenes of the beloved car flying above the beautiful countryside of southern Germany. That fantasy becomes reality today thanks to Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei, although not exactly in an open-top roadster. Instead, a dirigible, much like Baron Bomburst’s airship, is used, albeit without the nefarious emblems.

The German city of Friedrichshafen is the birthplace of Zeppelins, the rigid-structure airships that crisscrossed the Atlantic Ocean until the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. That infamous moment in Zeppelin history remains among the most dramatic events in aviation history; for many people, it is the only thing they know about airships. Times have changed, science has advanced, and Zeppelins today are completely safe to enjoy sightseeing flights over the pretty landscapes of Bavaria and Lake Constance. It is thanks to Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei‘s diligent efforts to maintain Friedrichshafen’s Zeppelin heritage that travellers can enjoy a low-altitude flight to see the sights below at a closer distance than from the window of an aeroplane high above the ground. This is the only company in the world that offers a passenger experience aboard a Zeppelin.

: Visit the Zeppelin cockpit credit Hendrik Stüwe

: See the ground from the air credit Michael Häfner

Zeppelins today are not filled with the flammable hydrogen of the Hindenburg era but rather with the element helium, which does not burn. A maximum of 14 passengers travel in a cabin suspended below the balloon. The two pilots welcome passengers to observe operations in the open cockpit and hear explanations of how a Zeppelin is manoeuvred. After a short introduction at Friedrichshafen Airport, passengers are driven to the field and board the cabin before gently leaving Earth for a special ride in the sky. The Zeppelin airship can be chartered for private flights for family and friends as well as special events, including weddings.

: Zeppelin above Wasserburg credit Achim Mende

: A fun day high in the sky credit Hendrik Stüwe

Friedrichshafen’s airport, officially known as Bodensee-Airport Friedrichshafen, is quite an impressive little facility. Immaculately clean, the terminal is more like a private club than an airport. There are two excellent restaurants: the Hangar, serving food from an appealing menu at lunchtime, and the more exclusive Buffalo Steakhouse, attracting patrons for dinner. The restaurants cater to more than just passengers; local residents and visitors from kilometres around come to enjoy the fine food served here. Banish any preconceptions of airport food outlets.

Fine dining at an airport is a reality at Zeppelin Hangar.

Rather than shy away from the Hindenburg disaster, Friedrichshafen’s very informative Zeppelin Museum presents the interesting backstory to that fateful voyage and, more generally, the history of airship development in the city. The outstanding artwork on display is an unexpected feature here. Similarly interesting is the Dornier Museum, an aviation museum that houses numerous historical aircraft. The Dornier is located at Friedrichshafen airport on the opposite side of the tarmac from the terminal.

The closest major airport to Friedrichshafen is Zurich Airport. Although it is possible to reach Friedrichshafen by public transport, the easiest way is to drive to Konstanz and take the Konstanz-Meersburg ferry for a short crossing of the narrow neck of Lake Constance. Without a car, it is possible to take the ferry from Romanshorn, Switzerland, directly to Friedrichshafen. Both services are operated by Constance Municipal Utilities. Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei offers an array of aerial itineraries in the Lake Constance region from its base in Friedrichshafen, but occasionally positions airships in other German cities, allowing locals in those areas to enjoy the thrill of low-altitude flight via one of the oldest methods of air travel.