On the Future of Airships

Suppose the Hindenburg disaster had not happened, and that US freely exported helium. In that case, airship technology would have continued to advance along with other aircraft. Even in the 1930s, airships were faster and more fuel efficient than ocean liners. While they were slower than aircraft, they were more fuel efficient. The cruising speed of the Hindenburg was about 80 miles per hour. A cruise ship today sails at about 20 miles per hour. The passengers had much more room as well. Below are pictures of the lounge and restaurant from the Hindenburg:

Luxurious, especially when compared to today's first-class seats on a passenger jet.

The use of airships to transport cargo is also an intriguing possibility, as they require far less infrastructure than freight trains or cargo ships. Airships contain less metal, and so are cheaper and easier to build. They also would greatly reduce the cost of shipping cargo to remote locations, and that has caught the interest of Canada. 

There is a possibility that smaller air taxis and airbuses could be used reduce traffic in cities. 

The main problem with airplanes and helicopters is fuel efficiency and cost. Airships are superior in both categories. They have a much longer range than helicopters, can hover, and can stay aloft for much longer than helicopters or airplanes. A zeppelin held the record for fastest circumnavigation for a few years in the 1930s.

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LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin, in 1929, piloted by Hugo Eckener made the first circumnavigation by an airship. It was also the then fastest aerial circumnavigation, in 21 days.

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Much like analog computers, the possibilities of airships have not been fully explored. 

Here is a blimp pulling water skiers: