How do airships differ from traditional balloons?

Airships differ from traditional balloons primarily in their ability to be navigated. This capability arises from the structure and design of airships, which are equipped with engines and control surfaces that allow for propulsion and steering, enabling them to travel in specific directions and maintain altitude more effectively than traditional balloons. Traditional balloons, relying solely on buoyancy and atmospheric conditions, lack this navigational control and often drift passively with the wind.

While size, gas type, and weight characteristics are relevant, they do not fundamentally define the operational differences between airships and traditional balloons, making navigation the standout feature that distinguishes the two.