thumb|left|The Hindenburg catches fire, 6 May 1937 By the mid-1930s, only Germany still pursued airship development. The Zeppelin company continued to operate the Graf Zeppelin on passenger service between Frankfurt and Recife in Brazil, taking 68 hours. Even with the small Graf Zeppelin, the operation was almost profitable.Botting, Douglas, Dr. Eckener's Dream Machine. New York, Henry Hold, 2001, p. 235, In the mid-1930s, work began on an airship designed specifically to operate a passenger service across the Atlantic.Dick, Harold G., with Robinson, Douglas H., Graf Zeppelin & Hindenburg, Washington DC, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985, p. 83, The Hindenburg (LZ 129) completed a successful 1936 season, carrying passengers between Lakehurst, New Jersey and Germany. The year 1937 started with the most spectacular and widely remembered airship accident. Approaching the Lakehurst mooring mast minutes before landing on 6 May 1937, the Hindenburg suddenly burst into flames and crashed to the ground. Of the 97 people aboard, 35 died: 13 passengers, 22 aircrew, along with one American ground-crewman. The disaster happened before a large crowd, was filmed and a radio news reporter was recording the arrival. This was a disaster that theater goers could see and hear in newsreels. The Hindenburg disaster shattered public confidence in airships, and brought a definitive end to their "golden age". The day after the Hindenburg disaster, the Graf Zeppelin landed safely in Germany after its return flight from Brazil. This was the last international passenger airship flight.
thumb|left|the hindenburg catches fire 6 may 1937 by the mid-1930s only germany still pursued airship development the zeppelin company continued to operate the graf zeppelin on passenger service between frankfurt and recife in brazil taking 68 hours even with the small graf zeppelin the operation was almost profitablebotting douglas dr eckener's dream machine new york henry hold 2001 p 235 in the mid-1930s work began on an airship designed specifically to operate a passenger service across the atlanticdick harold g with robinson douglas h graf zeppelin & hindenburg washington dc smithsonian institution press 1985 p 83 the hindenburg (lz 129) completed a successful 1936 season carrying passengers between lakehurst new jersey and germany the year 1937 started with the most spectacular and widely remembered airship accident approaching the lakehurst mooring mast minutes before landing on 6 may 1937 the hindenburg suddenly burst into flames and crashed to the ground of the 97 people aboard 35 died 13 passengers 22 aircrew along with one american ground-crewman the disaster happened before a large crowd was filmed and a radio news reporter was recording the arrival this was a disaster that theater goers could see and hear in newsreels the hindenburg disaster shattered public confidence in airships and brought a definitive end to their "golden age" the day after the hindenburg disaster the graf zeppelin landed safely in germany after its return flight from brazil this was the last international passenger airship flight