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Watch: This Insane, Gigantic Airplane Concept Is Like a Flying 5-Star Resort With Room for 5,000 Guests

The sky cruise would use clean nuclear energy to stay afloat for several years., tori latham, tori latham's most recent stories.

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What would a cruise liner look like if it could fly? A bonkers airplane concept is here to show you.

Meet the Sky Cruise, a gigantic flying resort that was conceived by Tony Holmsten about 11 years ago and was recently animated by Hashem Al-Ghaili. The aircraft is equal parts spaceship and ocean liner, and it comes with just about every amenity you could imagine. Its ginormous size can accommodate more than 5,000 guests, who would arrive on board via commercial or private plane (that’s right—jumbo jets would land on top of the Sky Cruise).

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As for what you would get to enjoy once checked in, the views are quite obviously the biggest selling point. An elevated deck would provide a 360-degree vantage point for seeing everything from the stars to aurora borealis. From there, an elevator would take you down to the main entertainment deck, which looks like a cruise ship on steroids. You’d have access to shopping malls, sports centers, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, playgrounds, theaters and cinemas.

A rendering of the Sky Cruise  YouTube

While all of this makes for a pretty incredible-sounding experience, there’s one aspect of the Sky Cruise that might trump all the others. The aircraft is designed to use nuclear energy, which means it would be able to stay afloat—without landing—for several years. Twenty electric engines would be powered by nuclear energy, with a small nuclear reactor on board using highly controlled fusion reaction to provide unlimited energy.

If this all sounds appealing but air travel gives you the heebie-jeebies, not to worry: The craft would use artificial intelligence to avoid air turbulence. (Now, if they could only implement that on commercial airliners.) There’s also a full medical facility on board.

Right now, the Sky Cruise is concept straight out of a sci-fi flick. But who knows, maybe one day we’ll all be floating through the sky together, admiring the view and swimming laps thousands of miles above the ground.

Tori Latham is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. She was previously a copy editor at The Atlantic, and has written for publications including The Cut and The Hollywood Reporter. When not…

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Is This 'Sky Hotel' Real?

Don't hold your breath., published july 15, 2022.

About this rating

A video supposedly showing a nuclear-powered "sky hotel" called the "Sky Cruise" racked up millions of views after it was shared across social media in June 2022:

This is not a genuine video of a sky hotel. This is a computer rendering of a futuristic concept.

This video, which was viewed more than 3 million times on TikTok , was created by Hashem Al-Ghaili and was based on a concept image created by Tony Holmsten.

Al-Ghaili, who has referred to his sky hotel as the "flytanic," told Interesting Engineering that he was inspired to create this animation in part because of his current dismay with modern airplanes. Al-Ghaili said:

I believe the current flying experience has become tiresome and outdated. It is time for new innovations, that make our flight experiences more comfortable. I have always been a fan of Studio Ghibli. Castle in the Sky is one of my favorite movies where we see massive flying ships with people living inside."

While this video caused some confusion as line as some people wondered if there was truly a sky hotel flying overhead, this futuristic conceptual "sky hotel" does not currently exist. And, according to Popular Mechanics , it's unlikely that this airborne palace will exist in the future.

Is this outlandish “Skytanic” even in the realm of possibility? There are some elephants in the room from the very start. We aren’t all that close to nuclear fusion energy even in enormous, dedicated facilities on the ground. The earliest estimates for net-positive fusion are in the 2030s, and it’s honestly not clear yet that it will happen. So that’s an enormous hurdle before anything like Sky Cruise could ever, well, take off. (No offense to Sky Cruise, either; nuclear fusion is used as the “X factor” in a lot of outlandish ideas because it’s been popularized as a form of so-called unlimited energy.)

While Al-Ghaili readily admits that there are no plans to actually build this futuristic concept, he does believe that one day it could exist. In a follow-up post on Facebook , Al-Ghaili wrote that he hoped his sky hotel video would encourage people to keep dreaming of futuristic possibilities.

I want to reiterate that it’s just a concept. I’m happy to see that it has stirred a lot of discussion and made you take a moment to dream of a future where such stuff could exist. Regardless of its feasibility, we humans should never stop dreaming ... I do believe that the Sky Cruise (Skytanic or Flytanic) could someday roam our skies.

Cosic, Milica, and The Sun. “Inside Giant Flying Luxury Hotel That Can Stay in the Air for Years.” New York Post, 27 June 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/06/27/inside-giant-flying-luxury-hotel-that-can-stay-in-the-air-for-years/.

Delbert, Caroline. “Why This Viral Nuclear-Powered Flying Hotel Is Pure Science Fiction.” Popular Mechanics, 12 July 2022, https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a40568758/nuclear-fusion-powered-flying-hotel/.

“Inside the Nuclear-Powered ‘Flying Hotel’ That Can Stay Airborne for Months.” The Independent, 28 June 2022, https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/sky-cruise-flying-hotel-ai-nuclear-b2110050.html.

“This 5,000-Person Sky Hotel Can Stay Airborne for Years.” My Modern Met, 1 July 2022, https://mymodernmet.com/sky-cruise-hashem-al-ghaili/.

Watch the Nuclear-Powered Flying Hotel That Can Stay Airborne for Years with 5,000 Passengers. 28 June 2022, https://interestingengineering.com/nuclear-powered-flying-hotel.

By Dan Evon

Dan Evon is a former writer for Snopes.

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Sky Cruise: Would you book a stay on this luxurious flying hotel?

A video of a giant aircraft powered by nuclear engines, comprising state-of-the-art infrastructure and amenities has been released on YouTube. This Sky Cruise is supposedly one ‘that never lands’ while cruising above the clouds without any pilots. It is not a futuristic airliner straight out of a sci-fi film but will soon exist in reality.

Based on a design concept by Tony Holmsten which is reimagined and animated by Hashem Al-Ghali, the detailed CGI video was released by Hashem himself, laying out all the features and components of this air hotel. Merging the concept of a hotel and an air cruiser, wrapped in high-end luxury, the Sky Cruise is a holiday destination which is absolutely out of the world, quite literally.

Here’s what we know about the Sky Cruise

Features and infrastructure.

Personifying grandeur in every aspect, this giant Sky Cruise has the capacity to accommodate 5000 guests. According to the video by Al-Ghaili, the airborne flying hotel features amenities like a huge panoramic 360-degree viewing hall, offering the most stunning views of the surroundings from a bird’s point of view. Also, the entertainment deck below has everything one can possibly think of.

From a plethora of activities to shopping malls, restaurants, swimming pools, movie theatres, bars and a children’s playground, it is a one-stop destination for all recreational activities. You can take your business to new heights by organising meetings and events inside this Sky Cruise.

For those looking for a unique wedding venue, the Sky Cruise offers the most breathtaking wedding hall with never-seen-before views and settings. Just that it is not for the faint-hearted.

The floors of the entertainment deck are connected via an external elevator. Yes, the elevator runs outside the aircraft’s body, offering jaw-dropping scenes. There are also three balconies or viewing domes, perfect for stargazing or even witnessing the mesmerising Aurora Borealis up close.

For those feeling dizzy with the height in view, the Sky Cruise also has world-class medical features, helping you stay fit and healthy.

However, no production or launch date has been announced yet.

How to board the Sky Cruise, who pilots it and other technicalities

Considering that this mammoth Sky Cruise would never land and keep flying for years, the question is how can one board it? Hashem says that all boarding and deboarding can be done via electronic flights taking off from different airports across the world, and bringing travellers to this flying hotel.

According to The Sun , when asked about pilots Hashem said, “All this technology and you still want pilots? I believe it will be fully autonomous.” But that doesn’t mean it will not have any staff. A large number of people will be required to serve the guests on board and run the amenities.

The Sky Cruise will be powered by 20 nuclear engines working on nuclear fusion. The resultant reaction will provide energy 24/7, and the aircraft will not have to land. This will not affect the environment adversely, and won’t have an enormous carbon footprint. In fact, all the repair work and maintenance will also be carried out in the air.

Hashem Al-Ghaili’s design video answers doubts about air turbulence as well. The strong AI will detect all kinds of air turbulence minutes in advance, and send counter vibrations to help the Sky Cruise navigate without any motion disturbance.

Reactions to the Sky Cruise

Despite sounding absolutely majestic there are several concerns regarding the Sky Cruise. While many have termed it the ‘new Titanic ,’ people are sceptical that if a nuclear vehicle of such a stature ever crashes, it will destroy an entire city. Also, the extensive capital investment is going to be humongous. People are worried about the overwhelmingly huge cost of tickets too, and believe that it is only for the affluent class.

(Main and featured image: Courtesy Hashem Al-Ghaili/ Youtube screengrab)

Related: The USA Lifts Mandatory COVID-19 Testing For International Travellers

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Live updates, inside giant flying luxury hotel that can stay in the air for years.

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A giant nuclear-powered ‘flying hotel’, complete with a gym and swimming pool is set to carry 5,000 passengers in unparalleled luxury.

A new CGI video details how the AI-piloted Sky Cruise plans to remain airborne for months at a time, while also docking to take on new passengers, or to drop off anyone board.

The futuristic hybrid between a plane and  hotel  – which has 20 engines powered by nuclear fusion – is designed never to land.

Hashem Alghaili, who created the incredibly detailed mockup of the monster aircraft, says the nuclear-powered sky cruise “could be the future of  transport ”.

Designed to run 24/7, Alghaili even adds that running repairs would be carried out in-flight – a first in aviation.

And, when asked how many people it would take to fly this gigantic plane, he said: “All this technology and you still want pilots?

“I believe it will be fully autonomous”.

Despite plans for a man-less ride, the Sky Cruise will still require plenty of staff on board to be at every passengers beck and call.

The greatly detailed video also promises restaurants, a gigantic shopping mall, a gym, theatre and even a swimming pool – all in the sky.

The promotional clip also promises the human boarded UFO to be the perfect wedding venue, if you’re brave enough.

And it would be perfect as the Sky Cruise offers a panoramic hall, offering breath-taking 360 degree views of the outside.

However, despite the greatness promised, not everyone is on board with the idea.

Some have called the Sky Cruise concept the ‘ new Titanic ‘, pointing out a plethora of issues with its design.

The huge aeroplane would have issues taking off, and would be far from aerodynamic. Others also pointed out faults with its weight, saying that if an aircraft powered by a nuclear reactor crashed, it could destroy a city.

One nervous passenger said: “Great idea putting a nuclear reactor in something that could malfunction and fall out of the sky.”

While someone else commented “I’m sure I would be able to afford a ticket for the lowest deck with no leg space and no access to the lounge”.

And a third wrote: “Those exposed elevators are a big nope for me. Uneven drag would also like a word on those. The engines look suspiciously like jet engines, fusion reaction is used as a magic future energy source, and your animation never bothered to raise the landing gear.”

And, the massive development cost is also another concern. Some predicted that a trip like this would cost a fortune, saying: “While this is interesting concept and its is capable to built it with current technology, this thing would be super expensive and no doubt only rich would be able to book this hotel”.

Others however are keen to be the first people on board.

One person said: “Hilarious! It’s like someone got in a time machine, traveled to 2070, found a retrofuturism video based on our era (as opposed to the 1950s or 1800s) depicting what people from our era thought our future would look like.”

And a second wrote: “I would much rather prefer a nuclear airship, as the space available will be far greater, but nevertheless, the creativity behind the idea is wonderful and I hope the planners get somewhere someday.”

While many have their hopes set high for the giant hotel, the Sky Cruise is still far in the future.

Even if an aircraft like this is built one day, there are some things that can never change.

As one commenter pointed out: “I bet I still end up next to someone else’s screaming three year old for the entire trip”.

And a second smartly said: “If physics and aerodynamics didn’t exist, then this vessel might actually be able to take off.”

However, their concerns shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

This comes after Amazon founder   Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark made history by going to space  in July 2021.

And, in October 13, 2021, William Shatner became the oldest astronaut at the age of 90 when Blue Origin launched its second successful flight to space.

This st ory originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission.

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'Ridiculous' but 'awesome': Would you stay on a giant flying hotel that never lands?

Watch: Nuclear-powered flying hotel would be able to stay in flight for years

A nuclear-powered flying hotel with the ability to stay airborne for years at a time could change the face of travel – that's according to those who want to turn a futuristic concept into reality.

The high-flying "Sky Cruise" is a gigantic airplane constantly on the move – with up to 5,000 guests arriving by passenger planes that dock on it in the air.

The designers believe the vehicle would be able to stay in flight for several years at a time with nothing more than a small nuclear reaction powering the engines.

Guests who think landing on an enormous, moving plane is a good idea would then be able to enjoy more than just a film or two on a tiny screen – promised luxuries would instead include a 360 degree panoramic platform and an entertainment deck.

The designers claim shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, restaurants and bars, theatres and cinemas would also be on offer for passengers.

There would also be capacity for business events, meetings and even a venue for getting married in the air – if guests manage to make it on board.

And passengers would simply be able to board a flight that would take them back down to Earth if they decided to check out a nearby destination.

It's the brainchild of Berlin-based science enthusiast and video producer Hashem Al-Ghaili, who has created what he says is a realistic vision of a fantastical idea that was originally conceived by concept artist Tony Holmsten.

The 3D model of the plane is based on an earlier design by Holmsten, which was then set to a video showcase to show how the idea would work in reality.

Explaining the idea, Al-Ghali said: “I believe the current flying experience has become tiresome and outdated, and it's time for new innovations that can make our flight experience more comfortable.

“Hence, I imagined a world where flying from one place to another turned into a joyous experience rather than fighting for leg space.”

'The future of flying'

Reaction to the concept has been mixed with some sceptical and others happy to buy into the prospect of a nuclear-powered plane drifting around the sky for years on end - regardless of the practical limitations.

As ever, Twitter was full of those ready to praise and pick holes in the concept.

One person wrote: “The future of flying is here. It has a hotel, spa, swimming pool, elevator, sports centre, a mall and much more.”

Another added: “I think Sky Cruise sounds cool as hell. I want to die a glorious death as the Sky Cruise drops thousands and thousands of feet into the endless blue ocean below.”

Others praised it for its “fascinating features”…

'No understanding of aviation'

While some were hopeful that the design can become a reality, most people took an altogether more pessimistic view – mainly concerning how the plane would need to defy the laws of aerodynamics.

One person wrote: “Sky Cruise is a concept with no understanding of aviation, flight cycles, aerodynamics, maintenance, airport infrastructure, size to weight ratios, drag and lots more!”

Another added: “I don't think they've even realised that each wheel of the landing gear is, if you take the scale of the decks literally, bigger than a house. Just zero effort went into this thing, there's no specifications or anything.”

One person simply tweeted: “I've got a physics degree, and let me stop you right there.”

But Al-Ghali is insistent about the feasibility of the idea, and believes it could become a reality before 2040.

He said: "It's nice to see people point out the flaws of the design and attempt to propose solutions to them, which is what we need to make it more perfect. It's like a group of people working together on a single project…

"I would go for 2030s or 2040s at latest for possibility of Sky Cruise. All we need is sufficient energy for the take-off. That's why nuclear energy was part of the design.

“I believe it's a matter of time before powerful nuclear reactors become small enough to fit inside a plane that size.”

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Inside the giant flying luxury hotel that never lands

By Zahra Surya Darma

An outlandish new flying hotel concept is offering travellers an incredibly unique travel experience that seems straight out of a retro-futurism movie.

Designed by Tony Holmsten and reimagined by Hashem Al-Ghaili, the ambitious idea is a mash-up between an enormous cruise ship and a jumbo plane. The result is a flying hotel meant to host over 5,000 guests. Think Etihad’s Residence suite – the plane ticket that gets you a private bedroom, living room and bathroom on a commercial plane – but on steroids.

The Sky Cruise is fitted with an abundance of amenities, from an observation tower with 360° views for star gazing and Aurora Borealis hunting to an entertainment deck with shops, gyms, cinemas, restaurants and even a venue to host the perfect wedding.

In a video rendering of the plane posted on  YouTube , Al-Ghaili explains that the floating vessel would be nuclear-powered and fitted with 20 hypersonic engines, allowing the aircraft to stay airborne for years with zero carbon emissions. This means regular activities such as replenishing supplies and maintenance checks would all be done on a fully moving aircraft. More importantly, on-boarding and off-boarding passengers would require conventional airliners or private jets to land on top of the giant plane.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any more bizarre, the monster ship won't require pilots – establishing it as “the future of transport” says Al-Ghaili. Instead, it is set to be fully autonomous and powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Passengers afraid of air turbulence need not worry as the plane will also be equipped with a navigation system using AI to predict wind patterns to offer a smooth sail.

While there isn’t a launch date set  just  yet for the flying hotel, it's already caused quite the stir on social media – with lots of science enthusiasts pointing out that the plans lack feasibility. One user commented, “The designers forgot this thing is supposed to fly”, with another adding “If physics and aerodynamics didn't exist, then this vessel might actually be able to take off”.

First published in CNT UK

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Inside the ‘flying hotel’ that never lands

By Zahra Surya Darma

An outlandish new flying hotel concept is offering travellers an incredibly unique travel experience that seems straight out of a retro-futurism movie.

Designed by Tony Holmsten and reimagined by Hashem Al-Ghaili, the ambitious idea is a mash-up between an enormous cruise ship and a jumbo plane. The result is a flying hotel meant to host over 5,000 guests. Think Etihad’s Residence suite – the plane ticket that gets you a private bedroom, living room and bathroom on a commercial plane – but on steroids.

The Sky Cruise is fitted with an abundance of amenities, from an observation tower with 360° views for star gazing and Aurora Borealis hunting to an entertainment deck with shops, gyms, cinemas, restaurants and even a venue to host the perfect wedding. 

In a video rendering of the plane posted on  YouTube , Al-Ghaili explains that the floating vessel would be nuclear-powered and fitted with 20 hypersonic engines, allowing the aircraft to stay airborne for years with zero carbon emissions. This means regular activities such as replenishing supplies and maintenance checks would all be done on a fully moving aircraft. More importantly, on-boarding and off-boarding passengers would require conventional airliners or private jets to land on top of the giant plane.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any more bizarre, the monster ship won't require pilots – establishing it as “the future of transport” says Al-Ghaili. Instead, it is set to be fully autonomous and powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Passengers afraid of air turbulence need not worry as the plane will also be equipped with a navigation system using AI to predict wind patterns to offer a smooth sail.

While there isn’t a launch date set  just  yet for the flying hotel, it's already caused quite the stir on social media – with lots of science enthusiasts pointing out that the plans lack feasibility. One user commented, “The designers forgot this thing is supposed to fly”, with another adding “If physics and aerodynamics didn't exist, then this vessel might actually be able to take off”. 

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Yemeni engineer unveils nuclear-powered flying hotel that can accommodate 5,000 guests

The structure could remain airborne for years at a time.

Yemeni engineer Hashem Al-Ghaili has unveiled his vision for the future of travel. All photos: YouTube

Yemeni engineer Hashem Al-Ghaili has unveiled his vision for the future of travel , and it wouldn’t look out of place in a film about the apocalypse.

Al-Ghaili posted a video on YouTube proposing a giant nuclear-powered sky hotel named Sky Cruise , which could accommodate 5,000 passengers. Like an enormous, winged, futuristic-looking cruise liner, it would be fuelled by 20 electric engines, with a small nuclear reactor using “highly controlled fusion reaction to provide the sky hotel with unlimited energy”.

As such, the hotel would never run out of power and could remain suspended in the air for several years, “without ever touching the ground”. Both supplies and passengers would be delivered to the hotel via traditional commercial jets. All maintenance and repairs would also be conducted mid-air.

Suspended high above the clouds, the sky hotel would feature a large “panoramic hall”, offering 360-degree views of the skies. A lift would connect this space to the main entertainment deck, which would be home to shopping malls, sports centres, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, children’s playgrounds, theatres and cinemas. A separate section of the airborne hotel would be dedicated to events and business meetings, as well as wedding halls.

Incorporated into the design are balconies and viewing domes attached to each side of the structure, where guests could indulge in some high-level stargazing. “Its sleek design combines the features of a commercial plane, while offering the epitome of luxury,” Al-Ghaili’s video explains.

Sky Cruise would also eliminate disturbance from turbulence, with its navigation systems featuring a state-of-the-art command deck that uses artificial intelligence to predict turbulence minutes before it happens. The system would respond by creating anti-vibrations.

The hotel would also be home to an advanced medical facility to keep guests “safe, healthy and fit”.

The concept was originally created by Tony Holmsten and then reimagined and animated by Al-Ghaili. But it has been greeted with scepticism by commentators: “If physics and aerodynamics didn't exist, then this vessel might actually be able to take off,” wrote one YouTube user.

“They should discuss the feasibility of weight-vs-thrust of the nuclear engine first before talking about what facilities to put on the craft,” commented another. References to the Titanic were also commonplace in the comments section.

The external lifts intended to connect the various floors of the sky hotel’s entertainment deck were deemed particularly problematic. “Imagine going down the external elevators and hearing the metal buckle and screech as air friction is trying to tear it off with you inside,” said one YouTube commentator.

Bombardier says Mach 1 Global 8000 will be world's fastest private plane — in pictures

Bombardier's Global 8000 will be the fastest and longest range private passenger jet in the world. All photos: Bombardier

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Sky Cruise: The Flying Hotel That Can Carry 5000 Passengers And Will 'Never Land'

Run by 20 nuclear engines and comprising of luxurious malls, restaurants and bars, sky cruise is a flying hotel, to be launched soon..

By: Trinetra Paul Published: Jun 28, 2022 08:00 AM IST

A video of a giant aircraft powered by nuclear engines, comprising state-of-the-art infrastructure and amenities has been released on YouTube. This Sky Cruise is supposedly one ‘that never lands’ while cruising above the clouds without any pilots. It is not a futuristic airliner straight out of a sci-fi film but will soon exist in reality. By Trinetra Paul

Based on a design concept by Tony Holmsten which is reimagined and animated by Hashem Al-Ghali, the detailed CGI video was released by Hashem himself, laying out all the features and components of this air hotel. Merging the concept of a hotel and an air cruiser, wrapped in high-end luxury , the Sky Cruise is a holiday destination which is absolutely out of the world, quite literally.

Here’s what we know about the Sky Cruise

Features and infrastructure.

Personifying grandeur in every aspect, this giant Sky Cruise has the capacity to accommodate 5000 guests. According to the video by Al-Ghaili, the airborne flying hotel features amenities like a huge panoramic 360-degree viewing hall, offering the most stunning views of the surroundings from a bird’s point of view. Also, the entertainment deck below has everything one can possibly think of.

From a plethora of activities to shopping malls, restaurants , swimming pools, movie theatres, bars and a children’s playground, it is a one-stop destination for all recreational activities. You can take your business to new heights by organising meetings and events inside this Sky Cruise.

For those looking for a unique wedding venue, the Sky Cruise offers the most breathtaking wedding hall with never-seen-before views and settings. Just that it is not for the faint-hearted.

The floors of the entertainment deck are connected via an external elevator. Yes, the elevator runs outside the aircraft’s body, offering jaw-dropping scenes. There are also three balconies or viewing domes, perfect for stargazing or even witnessing the mesmerising Aurora Borealis up close.

For those feeling dizzy with the height in view, the Sky Cruise also has world -class medical features, helping you stay fit and healthy .

However, no production or launch date has been announced yet.

How to board the Sky Cruise, who pilots it and other technicalities

Considering that this mammoth Sky Cruise would never land and keep flying for years, the question is how can one board it? Hashem says that all boarding and deboarding can be done via electronic flights taking off from different airports across the world, and bringing travellers to this flying hotel.

According to The Sun , when asked about pilots Hashem said, “All this technology and you still want pilots? I believe it will be fully autonomous.” But that doesn’t mean it will not have any staff. A large number of people will be required to serve the guests on board and run the amenities.

The Sky Cruise will be powered by 20 nuclear engines working on nuclear fusion. The resultant reaction will provide energy 24/7, and the aircraft will not have to land. This will not affect the environment adversely, and won’t have an enormous carbon footprint. In fact, all the repair work and maintenance will also be carried out in the air.

Hashem Al-Ghaili’s design video answers doubts about air turbulence as well. The strong AI will detect all kinds of air turbulence minutes in advance, and send counter vibrations to help the Sky Cruise navigate without any motion disturbance.

Reactions to the Sky Cruise

Despite sounding absolutely majestic there are several concerns regarding the Sky Cruise. While many have termed it the ‘new Titanic ,’ people are sceptical that if a nuclear vehicle of such a stature ever crashes, it will destroy an entire city. Also, the extensive capital investment is going to be humongous. People are worried about the overwhelmingly huge cost of tickets too, and believe that it is only for the affluent class.

(Main and featured image: Courtesy Hashem Al-Ghaili/ Youtube screengrab)

Related: The USA Lifts Mandatory COVID-19 Testing For International Travellers

• aircraft restaurant

Trinetra Paul

Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.

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This nuclear-powered ‘flying cruise ship’ could stay airborne for years at a time, carrying 5,000 guests

BERLIN — Forget brief trips to space. A nuclear-powered flying hotel promises to keep your head permanently in the clouds. The high-flying Sky Cruise concept sees a gigantic airplane skin to a cruise ship that’s able to be constantly airborne. Developers envision 5,000 guests arriving by passenger planes that dock with it.

With a small nuclear reaction powering the engines, the Sky Cruise would be able to stay in flight for several years at a time. If wanting to check out a nearby destination, guests simply hop on a flight to travel back to Earth .

Berlin-based science enthusiast and video producer Hashem Al-Ghaili created a realistic vision of the Sky Cruise, which was originally conceived by concept artist Tony Holmsten.

“I believe the current flying experience has become tiresome and outdated, and it’s time for new innovations that can make our flight experience more comfortable. Hence, I imagined a world where flying from one place to another turned into a joyous experience rather than fighting for leg space,” says Hashem in a statement, per South West News Service.

“I was searching for a 3D model that features a futuristic design of an airplane, and came across this 3D model by Alexander Tujicov. It’s based on an earlier design created several years ago by Tony Holmsten,” he continues. “I bought the 3D model and decided to animate it. I wrote the script and edited the video to showcase what it could look like in real life.”

Like a traditional  sea-based cruise ship , guests can enjoy luxuries including a 360-degree panoramic platform, an entertainment deck, shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, restaurants and bars, and theaters and cinemas.

There is also capacity for business events, meetings and even a venue for getting married .

“I believe some people won’t mind a longer flight as long as if it’s comfortable. Think of sky hotel as a vacation place that moves around and takes you where you want to go,” says Hashem. “While you’re enjoying your vacation in the sky cruise, you’re being transported to your destination. The sky cruise itself won’t land, but you’ll still get to land where you want thanks to a docking port that allows airplanes to attach themselves and exchange passengers with the sky cruise.

“Once the sky cruise reaches your destination, you board a tiny aircraft or a commercial airliner that lands you on the surface.”

Some online commentators are pessimistic about whether such an idea could work, with one posting, “If physics and aerodynamics didn’t exist, then this vessel might actually be able to take off.”

But Hashem is realistic about the feasibility of the idea, and believes it could become a reality before 2040.

“George Bernard Shaw said “both optimists and pessimists contribute to society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute’,” he says. “It’s nice to see people point out the flaws of the design and attempt to propose solutions to them, which is what we need to make it more perfect. It’s like a group of people working together on a single project.

“As for those who believe the concept will never work because it ignores important aspects of engineering, remember what Einstein said, “if at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it,” he adds. “I would go for 2030s or 2040s at latest for possibility of Sky Cruise. All we need is sufficient energy for the take-off. That’s why nuclear energy was part of the design.

“I believe it’s a matter of time before powerful nuclear reactors become small enough to fit inside a plane that size. The UK is one of the top countries working on small nuclear reactors. These reactors are likely to become fully operational by 2029. A few tweaks to the design and we’ve got a massive flying hotel that could roam our skies someday.”

Continue below for more images of the SkyCruise concept, along with a video.

South West News Service writer Dean Murray contributed to this report.

Unique idea But Hotel needs: Escape pods or planes MedEvac area To host land tours by VSTOL carriers Should be saucer shaped. Or saucer & cylinder shaped All aerodynamic

Wow, what a stupid idea.

What a stupid idea. Even it were ever to be possible, it’s just a dumb idea. Incredibly wasteful, incredibly unnecessary, this would only attract the worst kind of people on the planet to waste their money on such a boondoggle as this.

This idea is a disaster waiting to happen. Imagine killing 5,000 stupid people (and crew) in just one air disaster.

What a dumb idea.

That’s a *bs! Also the title refers that it is nuclear-power but the video narrates it is fusion powered which is also a *bs.

Comments are closed.

Should I book my flight through my cruise line?

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Choose a cruise deal with airfare included, or book an air-cruise package, and your cruise purchase can really be one-stop shopping. You always get transportation, food and lodging all in one price with a cruise, but book your airfare through your cruise line, and you'll take care of the majority of your travel plans in one transaction.

But should you book your flights through your cruise line? While doing so can offer various benefits, you will want to consider whether the pros outweigh any cons. The answer will depend on your particular travel situation, and whether you're contemplating a cruise with flights included in the deal or simply paying for flights through your cruise line.

Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of cruise and flight packages to determine whether it's a smart move to book your flights via your cruise line.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

5 reasons why you should book your flight through your cruise line

The airfare can be a good deal.

Some high-end cruise lines include flights as a booking perk. Oceania Cruises offers economy airfare with the most inclusive (and expensive) of its three OLife Choice promotion tiers, while Regent Seven Seas Cruises lures travelers with free business-class flights to Europe. It's hard to find a better deal than free, even if you might not have as much control over your booking as you'd like.

Even cruise lines selling you flights claim to have low rates. Royal Caribbean claims that its airfares are so competitive that it will refund you 110% of the difference in onboard credit if you can find a cheaper flight. It makes sense that cruise lines' in-house travel agencies can get access to the lowest rates or bulk fares not available to the general public.

You'll still earn points and miles

Buying a cruise line air package is similar to purchasing flights through a travel agent. You can add your frequent flyer number to the reservation to earn miles and access your elite perks — but watch out for extremely discounted fares that might not qualify. Plus, if you pay with a rewards-earning credit card, you'll also get points or miles for your purchase.

TPG pro tip: Look for credit cards that earn extra points on travel purchases , so your cruise-and-flight purchase can earn you free travel faster. Among our top-rated credit cards for travel are the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which gives you 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel purchases, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 points per dollar on travel.

Related: These are the credit cards to use to maximize your next cruise vacation

The cruise line will assist you with travel disruptions

The cruise line's travel department has the back of all cruisers who purchased flights through them. If your flight is delayed due to weather or a mechanical problem, agents will assist you with rebooking. Should the flight issues lead to you missing your ship, the line will make arrangements to get you to the next port of call.

The same is true if your cruise ends unexpectedly early due to weather, mechanical issues or an illness outbreak. The cruise line's air department will rebook cruise passengers who booked their flights through the cruise line, but independent travelers will be left to fend for themselves.

You can book now and pay later

Are you a planner and book your cruise a year in advance? With airline change fees, you might not want to pay for airfare months in advance, in case your plans change. Some cruise lines' air-cruise packages, such as Carnival Cruise Line 's Fly2Fun Air Program and Holland America 's Flight Ease, allow you to pay for your flights when your final cruise payment is due (typically about 90 days prior to sailing) rather than at the time of booking.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

Cruise lines don't charge booking fees

Cruise lines will not charge you service or convenience fees to book your flights through their air departments. You only have to pay the airfare and the applicable airline taxes and fees.

5 reasons not to book your flight through your cruise line

You can't pay with miles.

If you'd love to book your flights with credit card points or airline miles, you'll need to do that through the airline, not the cruise line.

You might also want to watch out if you hope to pay for coach airfare through your cruise line and then upgrade with miles. As cruise lines often negotiate special low rates with the airlines, these fare classes are often ineligible for mileage or elite upgrades.

Cruise lines charge deviation fees for custom itineraries

Some cruise line air bookings come with restrictions around when you can fly. Should you wish to arrive several days early or spend a week in the area after your cruise, perhaps even flying home from a nearby city, you might need to pay the cruise line a deviation fee of a few hundred dollars.

Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts — and what you can do about them

You can't always pick your airline, schedule or flight routing

Many cruise lines now offer choice and flexibility with airline arrangements, letting you pick your airline, travel time and routing. However, some of the cheaper, more restrictive options leave the booking exclusively to the cruise line's air department, allowing you no say in your flight route — unless you pay the aforementioned deviation fee or pay more for a flexible booking option. For example, with Viking , you'd need to upgrade from their base Inclusive Air option to the pricier Viking Air Plus fares in order to choose your specific flights.

Free airfare isn't free

Remember that free airfare perk? It's not actually free. The cruise lines increase the base cruise fare to cover the extra perks. Decline the airfare, and they will reimburse you with an air credit or charge you a cruise-only rate. If you can find fares cheaper than the credit, you'll save money by not booking your flights through your cruise line.

This advice especially applies to travelers flying from smaller airports that aren't among the major ones covered by the free airfare deal. Most cruise line airfare fine print states that passengers flying out of other airports will pay an additional fee. If you can book flights that are cheaper than the fee plus the air credit, you should do that and skip the not-actually-free airfare.

The cruise lines can charge service fees for changes

Cruise lines can add their own fees and surcharges on top of the typical airline charges. Some lines, such as Carnival, charge a flat fee for flight changes, in addition to the fees and fines imposed by airlines. If saving money is the most important consideration, you might want to book independently to avoid any extra surcharges.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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Inside the nuclear-powered ‘flying hotel’ that can stay airborne for months

‘thanks to nuclear energy, the hotel never runs out of fuel and can remain suspended in the air for several years without ever touching the ground,’ claims video, article bookmarked.

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A video showing ambitious designs for a floating “hotel of the future”, which could host 5,000 guests and would remain airborne for years at a time, has divided the internet.

Depicting a hulking jet that looks somewhere between a mega-cruise-ship and a space station floating above the clouds, the CGI video of the “Sky Cruise” vessel was posted by animator Hashem Al-Ghaili on YouTube.

In the description, the designers say the cruiser would be powered by nuclear energy , piloted by artificial intelligence (AI), and have its own disc-shaped observation tower in which passengers could see incredible skyscapes from above the clouds.

The designers claim the floating vessel would stay airborne for years at a time, with passengers and supplies travelling to and from it via electric commercial or private jets, which could land on the top of the cruiser.

The video - with designs by Tony Holmsten and animation by Mr Al-Ghaili - claims Sky Cruise would have no carbon footprint, with 20 electric engines “providing clean, nuclear energy”.

“Thanks to nuclear energy, the hotel never runs out of fuel and can remain suspended in the air for several years without ever touching the ground,” claim designers.

It’s pitched as a leisure holiday destination much like a luxury cruise ship, with the voiceover in the video highlighting multiple bars and restaurants, swimming pools, viewing decks, cinemas and theatres and games rooms - as well as wedding venues on hand for couples to get hitched above the clouds.

As well as steering the ship, the video claims AI would predict and prevent any turbulence, enabling the vessel to “glide over the turbulence with ease”.

However, many science and design fans have slated the idea, with one commenting on YouTube: “If physics and aerodynamics didn’t exist, then this vessel might actually be able to take off.”

Another aviation enthusiast wrote: “I can’t even imagine the amount of maintenence something this massive would need. And how many pilots would you need to fly that thing??”

“Hilarious! It’s like someone got in a time machine, traveled to 2070, found a retrofuturism video based on our era (as opposed to the 1950s or 1800s) depicting what people from our era thought our future would look like,” replied another viewer.

Meanwhile on Twitter, one person mused: “What if we combined the Titanic with the Hindenburg?”

However, some defended the out-there concept, with one YouTube user adding “the creativity behind the idea is wonderful and I hope the planners get somewhere someday!”

Another commented: “Am so jealous for the people of the future.”

It’s not the first techy design for a plane of the future to go viral this year - in April, a Chinese tech company unveiled plans for hypersonic flights which would travel at one mile per second, covering long-haul routes such as Shanghai to New York in two hours.

Beijing Lingkong Tianxing Technology released the animated video showing how its proposed “space flights” might look - with a rocket launcher “boosting” a jet to the edge of space, before separating from it to fly at around 7,000km per hour.

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How To Book Your Cruise And Flight Together

W hen a well-deserved vacation is in order, nearly 30 million passengers across the globe choose to cruise annually. Whether you're heading to the Caribbean or looking forward to a European tour, cruising is an appealing way to travel. A cruise provides passengers access to a variety of destinations. It's often seen as a comprehensive and convenient form of travel where onboard luxuries can be as inviting as the ports of call.

Travel logistics are typically taken care of onboard, but getting to the ship can be another story. Many travelers who book a cruise are tempted to book airline tickets to the ship's point of departure after the cruise reservation is already in place. However, you might be setting yourself up for unnecessary stress and expenses when you choose this approach to planning.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported its highest flight cancellation rate in a decade in 2022. Delays were also on the rise, giving travelers every reason to assume that modern flying comes with plenty of unexpected hurdles. When you're heading toward a cruise departure point and are faced with delays or flight cancellations, it can be an expensive and inevitably disappointing experience.

Fortunately, there are routes to booking your cruise and flights together that don't require plotting out time-sensitive connections on your own. There's no reason to tackle uncertain flight planning when you can eliminate the stress from the process altogether. A better option is to book your cruise and flight simultaneously directly through the cruise line.

Book Through The Cruise Line And Enjoy Peace Of Mind

When a flight you've booked separately from your cruise reservation is canceled or delayed, there's a good chance you'll be responsible for booking an entirely new flight to meet your cruise at its first port of call. This is expensive and means missing a significant portion of your first sailing days. Your cruise is cut short and money that could have gone toward fun is now directed to additional flight costs.

That's what makes booking flights and a cruise together through the cruise line so reassuring. Booking airfare and cruises together is also a refreshingly simple process. Passengers just need to call up a cruise line representative directly to make their cruise reservations and receive flight options that suit their plans.

In many cases, cruise reservations that are made alongside flights through a cruise line come with some great guarantees that provide peace of mind. For example, many cruise lines will fly passengers to the first port of call if the flight they've booked through the cruise line is canceled or delayed. Cruise lines will typically cover the cost of a hotel in those situations too.

Many major cruise lines try to make combining flights and sailing experiences as smooth as possible through specialized reservation programs. Carnival operates Fly2Fun while Princess offers EZair booking options to passengers. If you're cruising with Holland America or Royal Caribbean, start your cruise and flight search at Flight Ease and Air2Sea respectively.

Consider The Benefits Of Travel Agent Services

Another convenient option when you're ready to book a cruise and flight together is to go through a travel agent . Much like the cruise lines, travel agents who specialize in cruises often have access to special fares and flights. This is largely due to meticulously negotiated contracts with both cruise companies and airlines alike.

Many cruise travel agents have taken time to experience various cruise routes for themselves. This gives them first-hand experience with how flight times and cruise departures match up. That makes them a wonderful resource when you're looking for a stress-free booking experience that's well planned out too.

A travel agent is also a great choice when getting to your cruise requires multiple flight connections. Your agent will handle the reservations to ensure you get where you're going easily and successfully. They can adjust itineraries on your behalf to make sure you have plenty of time between flights to reach your next gate and are available to contact should problems arise.

If you ultimately remain completely committed to the idea of booking your cruise and flights on your own, there are still options for making the process more streamlined. In many cases, the reservation ID for the cruise you've booked can be used to search for corresponding flights online. This will likely lead you back to the cruise line's flight program and is a good route to making sure you reach your departure destination on time.

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I'll only allow clapping on a solar eclipse flight: Here's what it was like onboard

Millions of people across North America watched the total solar eclipse Monday, but I was one of the few in a lucky group to see it from the sky.

It was certainly a different perspective. On the ground, the main event is, of course, seeing the moon fully obscure the sun. But from the sky, the real show was seeing the shadow of totality sweep over the landscape below, to watch as street lights flickered on in that temporary darkness while daylight reigned just over the edge.

I flew as a guest of Delta Air Lines on Flight 1010 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Detroit, and we encountered the experience of totality for about four minutes over southeastern Missouri.

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Because the eclipse itself was only visible to those on the south side of the plane, the team at Delta planned ahead and got special permission to execute turns during totality so everyone onboard could see – about two minutes per side.

“For us, it’s a normal flight. For this flight just knowing where the sun was going to be, just trying to maximize the opportunities for the passengers,” Alex Howell, chief standards captain for Delta’s Airbus A320 fleet and pilot in charge on Flight 1010 told me just after we landed in Detroit. “It was great. It really went off without a hitch.”

Onboard, the mood was festive. I can’t remember the last time I was on a flight where there was applause after almost every announcement, at the start of the takeoff roll, again when we lifted off the ground and once more when we landed. Usually I’m not a fan of this kind of clapping, but for the solar eclipse, I could make the exception.

Delta’s representatives told me it was a cross-company effort to get the flight I was on, as well as another eclipse special from Austin, Texas, off the ground. It was a good reminder that the miracle of flight can unlock many other experiences for passengers.

How the flights were planned

According to Chris Clisham, a Delta flight superintendent, the first step in planning these special eclipse flights was determining the timing.

“What went into it is seeing where we wanted to intersect that shadow, where we wanted to see that totality and work backward from there,” he said. “Then we backed up and said, ‘OK, what kind of departure time do we need for that?’”

After that, the planning happened much like any other flight, although some extra, advanced communication with air traffic control was involved.

“The planning was, on one hand, routine, what we do for every flight, every day sort of a thing, but on the other hand, as we got closer to the event today, the focus became on cloud cover,” Warren Weston, Delta's lead meteorologist, told me in Dallas before we boarded. 

It was cloudy as we departed Dallas, and even at cruising altitude (ha!) there was some wispy coverage, but it broke just before the moon and sun did their tango.

What else you can see from a plane

Of course, eclipses are fairly rare events, but they’re hardly the only natural wonders visible from commercial flights.

Mark Vanhoenacker , a Boeing 787 pilot for British Airways and author of “Skyfaring” and “Imagine a City,” told me flying is a constant reminder of the magic going on in the sky.

“The northern lights are, I think they’re probably the most amazing thing we see from the flight deck,” he said. “It’s such an amazing thing, and they shimmer and they kind of have this quality of milk landing in coffee. They have this very slow motion that you almost can’t perceive until you look away from them and then you look back and it’s different.” 

Vanhoenacker said auroras and eclipses aren’t the only spectacles out the window of a plane, either.

“I joke in ‘Skyfaring’ that we kind of run out of wishes. You see so many shooting stars. It’s a challenge to maintain our childhood excitement at that kind of thing, about all the wonders of flying, really,” he said. “One of the things that’s most special about flying is being above the clouds. A lot of people are not going to see the eclipse. One of the best ways to ensure you see any phenomena of the night sky is to be above the clouds.”

What it was like onboard

That idea of a nearly guaranteed eclipse sighting was certainly a draw for passengers on Flight 1010.

Many told me they had seen eclipses before and wanted to get a new perspective, and the mood onboard was friendly and celebratory – I, again, note all the clapping.

Clisham made a prediction ahead of the flight that turned out to be true: “The biggest difference is you’re going to see all the window shades up for once,” he said. “Everyone’s going to want to look out the window.” 

As I sit in an aisle seat writing this on another flight where almost all the shades are down, I wish my fellow travelers would bring Vanhoenacker’s sense of wonder to every flight rather than just those that are marketed for what’s going on outside the window. Even if it’s not an eclipse, there’s always a lot to see from 35,000 feet. 

The reporter on this story received access to this flight from Delta Air Lines. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected]