The Hindenburg was a commercial passenger carrying zeppelin. Before large modern jets, zeppelins were way more comfortable than an airplane and capable of longer travel (with a large # of passengers). It certainly wasn't like air travel today where any shlub can hop on a flight for a few bucks, but they regularly transported rich people on long trips. Zeppelins were kind of like upper-class versions of a modern cruise ship with dining rooms, bands, etc. The Hindenburg pretty much destroyed their reputation in 1937. The first transatlantic passenger flight on a plane wasn't until 1939. Here's an interesting article: http://www.citymetric.com/transport/why-blimps-and-airships-died-out-and-how-they-might-make-comeback-722