Would you consider using LTAs that were capable of speeds near 300mph?

It would depend on the rest of the process. If it was like getting a train, yes. If it was like getting a plane, no. I generally go for trains if the journey is 400–500 miles or less nowadays. This is because the hassle of getting to the airport and checking in and getting searched etc. etc. eats up all the time saved from flying fast. To get from city centre to city centre is as quick, if not quicker, in a train and it is much less hassle! You sit down once, can get your laptop out and do some work or watch a film until to get to your destination. If the LTA had all the disadvantages of planes and a marginal speed advantage, then I don’t think I’d be interested.

@gmander This is because the hassle of getting to the airport and checking in and getting searched etc. etc. eats up all the time saved from flying fast. I would logically think the process of boarding an LTA would be way less evasive than a jet. They don’t carry as much fuel, they are not as fast and not as dense as a jet; in short they would make for poor weapons by a terrorist and not what you’d want to use if you were a hijacker. I bet you would hardly have to strap yourself in for landings and takeoffs less the insurance companies made them do it. You’d take off, then you could get from your seat and go to a lounge, the bar, the observation deck to see the city far below, or kick back and use your laptop. I can see a person getting there maybe faster than a train since

I live in extreme envy of the people who traveled across the sea on the luxury airships of the 1920s and 30s.

Check out the promenade deck and lounge on the Hindenburg.

Sure,why not?

I if there would much advantage over something like a TGV for journeys up to say 500 miles. For Europe to the US who would want spend 15 hours in an airship. If you want to luxuriate on the transatlantic route lets go back to liners. They used to do it in 4 days. I have never been a fan of flying and a bag of gas even if it is non-flammable helium does not fill me with confidence.

@basstrom188 Better a giant gas bag than a aluminum can full of high grade fuel :-)

For Europe to the US who would want spend 15 hours in an airship. I knew friends that flew from Australia to San Fran and it took them 21 hours in the air, and they were stuck in their seats 90% of the way or better. I could hang with 30hrs in the air if I had a sleeping birth, lounge, cafe and observation deck where I did not have to be stuck in my seat wondering if I am going to burn up like bacon or end up as pizza topping if an engine conks out.

Definitely! Provided they use an inert gas like helium for the lifting gas rather than an explosive gas like hydrogen.

@HungryGuy I think they would be defeating the purpose of it being safe if they use very volatile gas, plus it would make it more likely to get banned from many nations and cities as it would be more weaponized in the hands of extremist.