Air Balloon (ship)

An Air Balloon (ship) is a hypothetical or fictional type of airship whose primary means of propulsion and lift is derived from the controlled heating of air within a large, typically fabric, envelope, combined with sailing-ship-like components such as masts, sails, and rigging. The term is often used within the genres of steampunk and fantasy to describe vessels that blend the aesthetics and functionalities of both hot air balloons and traditional sailing ships.

Unlike conventional hot air balloons, which are largely at the mercy of prevailing winds, air balloon ships are envisioned as being more maneuverable through a combination of controlled buoyancy via adjusting the heated air and the utilization of sails to harness and direct the wind's energy. The degree to which these hypothetical ships could achieve controlled directional travel and sustained flight is subject to the constraints of physics and aerodynamic principles.

In fiction, air balloon ships often vary greatly in size, from small, personal craft to massive, city-sized leviathans. They are frequently depicted as being used for exploration, trade, warfare, and transportation across vast distances. The presence of sails in conjunction with the balloon provides a visual cue evoking a nautical aesthetic while alluding to a degree of control beyond that of a simple hot air balloon. The feasibility of creating a practical airship of this design remains largely theoretical.