If you wanted to cross the Atlantic at the beginning of the 20th century, you would have to book a trip on a ship. But, after British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown made the first non-stop transatlantic flight in June of 1919, things began to change. On the 11th of October 1928, Hugo Eckener, commanding the Graf Zeppelin airship as part of DELAG’s operations, began the first non-stop transatlantic passenger flights.
DELAG used the Graf Zeppelin on regularly scheduled passenger flights across the North Atlantic, from Frankfurt-am-Main to Lakehurst. In the summer of 1931, a South Atlantic route was introduced, traveling from Frankfurt and Friedrichshafen to Recife and Rio de Janeiro. Between 1931 and 1937 the Graf Zeppelin crossed the South Atlantic 136 times. The trip took about four days each way and a one-way ticket would cost about $400, which translates to about $7,050 in today’s money.
Its interior was designed by Fritz August Breuhaus, who also took part in designing Pullman coaches, ocean liners, warships of the German Navy and so on.
The dining room was approximately 47 feet in length by 13 feet in width.
The lounge was approximately 34 feet in length and was also decorated with a mural by Professor Arpke.
During the 1936 travel season, the Lounge had a 356-pound piano, made of Duralumin and covered with yellow pigskin.
The Graf Zeppelin also contained a writing room.
Passenger cabins on the Hinderburg – classified as the world’s first flying hotel, unlike the Zeppelin.
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