Hot-air balloon and airship — what is the difference and which to choose for a flight

Since ancient times, humankind has dreamed of conquering the sky. The first steps in this direction were balloons, followed later by airships. Today, centuries after the first flights, interest in light aviation has not only endured, it has found new momentum thanks to modern technologies. Many people ask: how does a balloon differ from an airship, and what should you choose for a flight — the romance of free drifting or a guided adventure? In this article, we’ll examine the differences, the principles of flight, and even tell you about the forward‑looking 'New Generation Airships' project, in which everyone can take part — from flight enthusiasts to investors and partners.

Let’s start with the fundamentals. A balloon and an airship are two types of lighter‑than‑air aircraft that ascend thanks to Archimedes’ principle — displacing air with a lighter gas. But that’s where the similarities end.

• A balloon is a sealed envelope filled with hot air or a light gas (for example, helium or hydrogen). Owing to the difference in density between the outside air and the gas inside, the balloon rises. The classic example is the tourist balloon we often see at holiday events and festivals. It has no engines and no systems to control its direction of travel. Its trajectory is determined by the wind and the flight altitude.

• An airship, by contrast, is a steerable aerostat. It also uses the lift generated by light gases but is equipped with engines, control surfaces, and a control system. Thanks to this, an airship can move in any direction, stop, maneuver, and return to a designated point. That makes it far more functional than a balloon.

In short, if a balloon is the “passenger” of the wind, an airship is its “captain.” Both have their niche: balloons in tourism and leisure; airships in transport, observation, advertising, and even scientific research.

The difference between a balloon and an airship begins with the very principle of flight.

📍A balloon ascends by heating the air inside the envelope (in the case of hot air) or by filling it with a light gas. Control is limited: a pilot can regulate altitude by heating or cooling the air, but the direction of travel depends entirely on the wind. This creates a feeling of complete harmony with nature — you literally “go with the flow” of air currents. Such flights are especially popular among tourists who appreciate sunsets and sweeping bird’s‑eye views.

📍An airship — more precisely, an airship with propellers — by contrast, is fitted with one or more engine‑driven propellers that provide thrust. Owing to this, it can fly against the wind, perform maneuvers, and land precisely. Modern airships can be rigid, semi‑rigid, or non‑rigid, depending on their structural framework. For example, the famous Zeppelins were rigid airships with a metal framework, whereas most contemporary models are semi‑rigid or non‑rigid.

There are also various kinds of balloons and airships:

• Montgolfier balloons — hot‑air balloons (the name comes from the Montgolfier brothers, the inventors).

• Charlière balloons — balloons filled with hydrogen or helium.

• Advertising airships — small, controllable craft used for promotional campaigns.

• Tourist airships — comfortable cabins for sightseeing flights.

• Research airships — used for meteorological observations, environmental monitoring, and even delivering cargo to remote areas.

It is noteworthy that airships are once again gaining traction thanks to their environmental benefits and low noise levels — especially compared with helicopters and airplanes.

Now let’s set out the key differences clearly:

1. Controllability: an airship can be steered; a balloon cannot.

2. Propulsion: an airship has propellers; a balloon has only a burner to heat the air.

3. Flight path: an airship can follow a prescribed route; a balloon drifts.

4. Cost and operational complexity: airships are more expensive and require higher pilot qualifications.

5. Uses: balloons — primarily tourism and celebrations; airships — tourism, delivery, observation, communications, advertising.

But let’s have a little fun. Recently, a curious user asked, “How does a plain airship differ from a next‑generation airship?” Taken literally — it doesn’t! It’s like asking how a cup of tea differs from a cup of tea. But with a little imagination, you might say one airship is a good old Zeppelin, and the other is an ultra‑modern airship with solar panels and electric motors. So the difference can be enormous — especially in the technologies!

In fact, that seemingly absurd question simply underscores the importance of terminology. An airship is always a steerable aerostat, regardless of the year of manufacture. Next‑generation airships are a genuine breakthrough.

Today, airships are experiencing a renaissance. In place of giant yet unsafe Zeppelins come modern, eco‑friendly, high‑tech craft. One of the most ambitious initiatives in this field is the Russian 'New Generation Airships' project.

This project brings together engineers, scientists, pilots, and enthusiasts from around the world to create airships that will:

• use hybrid lift (aerostatic + aerodynamic),

• run on electric or hydrogen propulsion,

• enable long‑endurance flights without refueling,

• be deployed for green logistics, tourism, natural‑resource monitoring, and even emergency response operations.

A distinctive feature of the project is that anyone can participate. You don’t have to be an engineer or a pilot — you can become an investor by acquiring a stake in the project, i.e., by financing development and production. Or a partner, if you have competencies in marketing, logistics, IT, or project management — or if you simply want to earn referral rewards by sharing useful information with others. Even ordinary flight enthusiasts can support the project through crowd‑investing or by joining the community of like‑minded people.

The goal of 'New Generation Airships' is not merely to revive interest in airships, but to create a sustainable, safe, and accessible alternative to conventional aviation. Imagine: cargo delivered to remote villages with no runways; tourists enjoying quiet, smooth flights over national parks; scientists monitoring glaciers and wildfires in real time — all made possible by airships.

The project has already conducted several successful prototype tests, and the first commercial models are planned for launch within the next 3–5 years. You can already get involved, explore the technical solutions, and even propose your own idea to improve the design. Right at this link.

The choice between a balloon and an airship depends on your goals. If you dream of a romantic flight in which every moment is governed by wind and nature, choose a balloon. It’s a meditative experience, close to an art.

If, however, you want to follow a prescribed route and even pilot the craft, to explore space and use technology to solve real‑world problems, an airship is the ideal choice — especially when you want not just a ride, but to be part of something bigger.

The 'New Generation Airships' project is not just technology; it is a movement — a movement toward a sustainable future in which the sky is open to everyone and flights are safe, eco‑friendly, and inspiring. Join us — the future begins today.