SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS), nestled in the Wine Country, will host the world’s largest airship, the Eureka, this fall. The Eureka will offer passenger flights during the visits.
At 246-feet long and 64 feet wide, Eureka stretches 15 feet longer than a standard Boeing 747 and 50 feet longer than the largest commercial blimps flying today. Eureka is a Zeppelin, built in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Currently, there are only two such aircraft flying in the world, the Eureka and a sister ship in Friedrichshafen.
Airship Ventures, owner and operator of the Eureka, is offering passenger flights Sept. 20-23 and Oct. 19-22. Airship Ventures offers three flight options: 45 minutes, one hour, and two hours, allowing passengers to experience the breathtaking views of the Wine Country from 1,000 feet. The 45-minute tour travels the Russian River and the Coast and the 2-hour tour cruises the Sonoma Valley. A one-hour tour travels between Sonoma County Airport and Moffett Field, the airship’s base. The airship holds up to 12 passengers and two crew members and is filled with nonflammable helium. Flights start at $375 per person, plus taxes and fees.
In addition to the flights, Airship Ventures will offer behind-the-scenes ground tours of the Eureka at Sonoma County Airport. For $39.99 you can get close to the world’s largest passenger airship while an experienced guide will teach you about these flying machines. The one-hour walking ground tour include a coupon for a future flight discount. Ground tours are by reservation only. Passengers and ground tour takers will meet at Kaiser Air, 2240 Airport Boulevard, Santa Rosa, for transport to the Eureka.
For more information: AirshipVentures.com or 650-969-8100 x111.
