New Hindenburg exhibit explores luxury and innovation
The Frontiers of Flight Museum will debut a new exhibition, “Hindenburg: The Flying Hotel,” on July 3. The exhibit offers a fresh look at the iconic airship, its luxurious passenger experience and the lasting impact of its design and innovation.
The collection features 90 rare artifacts and firsthand historical materials, including china and rarely seen letters.
The Hindenburg ushered in the idea of luxury airship travel and became a pop culture favorite after its maiden voyage in 1936, with glamorous movie stars and celebrities among its passengers. The airship made 63 successful flights to points in Europe, South America and along the East Coast of the United States.
The immersive experience is organized into four sections: Origins and Engineering, Life Aboard the Flying Hotel, The Final Flight and Legacy and Myth. Through rare artifacts and storytelling, visitors will explore how the Hindenburg became both a symbol of innovation and one of the most luxurious aviation experiences of its time.
“We all know how the Hindenburg story ended, but there is a much bigger tale to tell about how this airship captured the world's imagination,” said Abigail Erickson-Torres, president and CEO of the Frontiers of Flight Museum. “This experience looks to highlight the ambition, design and elegance that shaped early air travel while showcasing some rare artifacts.”
This global-first, immersive exhibit explores the history, pop culture, luxury and engineering marvel of the Hindenburg, one of the most iconic airships of the 20th century. It was the most luxurious way to travel and became what we’d now call a “viral” sensation. A one-way ticket on the Hindenburg cost $400 in 1936 – equivalent to $9,300 in today’s dollars.
Visitors will experience life aboard the airship through interactive displays, historical artifacts and presentations. “Hindenburg: The Flying Hotel” will be on display for a year inside the museum, which attracts more than 175,000 visitors annually, along with 75,000 students. The exhibition also highlights the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) innovations behind airship design, offering a unique educational experience for learners of all ages.
“We’re showcasing the world’s most concentrated remaining Hindenburg artifacts, from our archives and other sources including the University of Texas at Dallas, whose collection includes aviation artifacts,” Erickson-Torres said. “The exhibition appeals to today’s younger generation as they explore the impact on society of this luxury airship.”
“Hindenburg: The Flying Hotel” has been made possible by the Hamilton Family and the McCuller Family Foundation and will be on display in the Browning Gallery on the museum’s mezzanine level. The exhibition is included with regular museum admission. Visitors can also engage through educational programming, classroom connections and digital translation tools.
Museum hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for youth ages 3–12, and $10 for seniors ages 65 and older. Children ages 2 and younger receive free admission.
To learn more, plan a visit, or access social media links, visit the Frontiers of Flight Museum.
Frontiers of Flight Museum
6911 Lemmon Ave.
Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 350-3600
About Frontiers of Flight Museum
Located at Dallas Love Field Airport, the Frontiers of Flight Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and one of North Texas’s premier destinations for aviation and space flight history. Housed in a 100,000-square-foot facility, the Museum features more than 35,000 artifacts, including rare aircraft, spacecraft, and flight memorabilia, highlighting the innovation and achievements that have shaped aerospace exploration.
