The Zeppelin NT07 is a semi-rigid, 75-meter long blimp filled with non-flammable helium gas. The 35-foot cabin features window seats for 12 passengers and also has room for one pilot and one flight attendant.
DZR offered Zeppelin sightseeing flights daily from July 10 to Aug. 21, 2008. The limited sightseeing tour flew approximately 1,000 passengers over London's landmarks during the L'Etranger 30-minute, the L'Origine 45-minute or the Le Courage 60-minute flights.
The 30-minute low-carbon flights departed from Upminster in east London. The introductory flights floated over the Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs and the O2 Concert Arena before turning south to fly over the National Maritime Museum, King Charles II Royal Observatory and the clipper ship, the Cutty Sark. Finally, passengers were treated to a panoramic view of West London and the Thames before returning to base in Upminster to land at Damyns Hall airfield.
While climbing to a cruising altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, passengers flew over Canary Wharf and followed the Thames to the Tower Bridge. During the 45-minute flight, the Zeppelin floated over the Tower of London, the WWII cruiser HMS Belfast, Shakespeare's Globe and St. Paul's Cathedral before returning to its Upminster.
On the longest tour offered, passengers enjoyed a one-hour flight while admiring scenic views of Greenwich Palace, the Thames, the Tate Modern, the Tower of London as well as St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. Views to the north featured Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace before the Zeppelin turned east to return to the Damyns Hall airfield.
