Friedrichshafen Airport Enthusiast Day: Thursday, 6 December 2012
London > Friedrichshafen > London
Enthusiast Daytrip Itinerary (all times local)
0400 -- Assemble at Monarch Airlines’ check-in, South Terminal, London Gatwick Airport. Collect Boarding Passes for our roundtrip flights to Friedrichshafen (FDH)
0615 -- Depart on flight ZB129 to Friedrichshafen
The flight operates on a Monarch Airlines Boeing B757-200
0900 -- Arrive at Friedrichshafen on Monarch’s first flight to our new scheduled destination
This is a special occasion for both Monarch and our colleagues at Flughafen Friedrichshafen
0945 -- A visit to the Dornier Museum with a number of unique aircraft in a fantastic new building.
1130 -- We will return to the airport for a tour of the site provided by Flughafen Friedrichshafen staff
1230 -- After a short bus transfer, we will arrive at the Zeppelin Hangars on the opposite side of the airfield
At this point snacks will be provided
A guided tour of the giant hangars and production site will then be led by Zeppelin staff
1400 -- We will depart by bus to the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen City Centre
1430 -- You will then have time to explore the Zeppelin Museum at your leisure
After visiting the Museum, you will have time to explore the city on the shores of beautiful Lake Constance. During our visit the Christmas Markets will be in full swing, so that city will be in festive mood.
1800 -- Transfer back to Friedrichshafen Airport by bus
1830 -- We will be treated to a “Folk-like” Swabian evening and meal, including local foods and beers
*The meal will be served in the airport fire station with views of the FDH ramp
2155 -- Depart on flight ZB130 to London Gatwick
The flight operates on a Monarch Airlines Boeing B757-200
2240 -- Arrive at London Gatwick’s South Terminal
The event will be escorted by Monarch Airlines staff members who will be on hand to answer questions. The Zeppelin museum tour will be escorted by museum guides, and tours of the Zeppelin production site will be escorted by company staff. There will be plenty of walking, so guests are recommended to wear comfortable shoes, and pack lightly.
All this for just £159.98 per person. Places are limited, so book now! Includes: Fares and Taxes for your roundtrip flights to Friedrichshafen, guided tours of the Zeppelin Museum, visit to the Zeppelin Production Site, entrance to the Dornier Museum, your evening meal in the Fire Station, all transfers and the services of Monarch Airlines staff members for the duration of the event. Excludes: Credit Card Booking Fees and Seat Reservation Charges (£11.99 each way for extra leg room seats and £5.99 each way for standard seats)
Monarch Airlines Reservations: 0843 227 1312 (Calls cost 10p per minute). Flights provided are subject to our terms and conditions -- please see www.monarch.co.uk for further information. Tours may be cancelled or rescheduled without notice to you in the event of a security or operational related issue at the airport. You acknowledge that you will have appropriate travel insurance in place for this trip. Bookings are non-refundable and we do not allow for changes to be made.
Airship Ventures Ceases Operations
Lacking Sponsorship, World’s Largest Passenger Airship Grounded as of Today
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif., November 14, 2012 -- Airship Ventures, operators of the world’s largest passenger airship, the Zeppelin Eureka, have announced today that despite history-making successes and a stellar performance and safety record, they will be ceasing operations immediately.
“Operating this unique aircraft has been an inspiring experience and it is with a very heavy heart that we’ve come to this point requiring us to cease operations and ground Eureka,” commented Airship Ventures CEO Brian Hall. “Our team is the best at what they do and their dedication to Eureka, our passengers and our dream of flying a Zeppelin in the USA has been remarkable. I’m beyond sad to disband their talents and leave Moffett Field, our friends and fans without an active airship.”
Blending the romance of the "golden age of aviation" with the latest in high-technology, Airship Ventures, founded in 2007, brought a Zeppelin NT ("New Technology") airship to the USA for flightseeing, science missions, media and advertising operations.
Passenger flights began in 2008 in the Bay Area (Silicon Valley, Oakland and San Francisco) and Long Beach, and most recently expanded to California’s beautiful wine country. 2012 saw the addition of behind-the-scenes educational ground tours of the airship. In addition to passenger flights and advertising, the Eureka had performed a wide variety of special missions for government, science and research groups, including recent expansion into airship design, research and development.
Since its founding, the company had faced challenges including the economic recession that impacted regular passenger numbers and demanded the need for a regular sponsorship partner for the company to remain viable. Adding to this, a world helium shortage increased the company’s operating costs and pressure for a long-term sponsor that had not materialized.
However, even in the face of these challenges, Airship Ventures marked more than a few distinguished milestones: