In The Guardian today George Monbiot urges the world to investigate the possible use of hydrogen-powered airships for long-haul travel more closely.
There's no doubt it's an interesting area, but a lot of people have been pursuing various airship concepts for quite a while now - including the US Navy in quite a big way - and they haven't made a great deal of progress. Putting speed to one side, there really are some serious operational questions about making this practical.
On the other hand, it is the sort of technology that would benefit from some heavier weight research than it has so far had.
As a senior engineering manager in one of the major aircraft manufacturers and from previously being deeply involved in the airship industry I believe that airship could have a future but.......
1) it needs to be developed in a 'formal' environment. There are is a lot of interest and sharing of good technical information but almost at an amateur level.
2) it needs to be properly funded. This ideally should be done in steps
and, and, and......