The future of hospitality is in the sky, according to a video that shows an ambitious design of a nuclear-powered flying hotel. Created by Hashem Al-Ghaili, a Yemeni engineer and video producer, the video of the ‘hotel of the future has gone viral. Powered by 20 nuclear engines and inspired by artist Tony Holmsten’s paintings, Sky Cruise is an artificial intelligence-driven aircraft whose concept may transform the world of hospitality and aviation.
Capable of carrying up to 5,000 passengers, Sky Cruise will not require pilots and is designed to use an artificial intelligence system to steer. Passengers won’t have to worry about any turbulence either as its artificial intelligence system is designed to detect and avoid air turbulence. With the ability to stay up in the sky and never need to land, Al-Ghaili explains in the video that all maintenance work would be completed in the air so the plane will never touch down and that airlines would act primarily as shuttles carrying passengers to and from Sky Cruise.
“I believe the current flying experience has become tiresome and outdated.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,” said Al-Ghaili in an email to Interesting Engineering.
Al-Ghaili also calls this design the “future of transportation” and is designed with a truly impressive panoramic hall with a 360-degree view of the surrounding sky. The hall which sits on top of the plane is connected via elevator to the main entertainment deck offering guests a litany of offerings from swimming pools, restaurants, bars, sports centers, retail malls, theaters, playgrounds, and more. There is also another section of the plane which will house larger and smaller spaces to host business meetings and larger events such as weddings.
Sky Cruise is also outfitted with the latest medical technology ensuring all passengers will be safe no matter their needs in the air. Like passengers coming to and from, any restocking of materials and equipment will be delivered via commercial flights from wherever is closest at the time of need.
While the release date is unknown, as well as if the concept is even possible to execute, the plane itself is environmentally safe, since its nuclear-powered engine uses only clean energy. He did however put some bold expectations for how soon in the future he envisions this concept to come into reality. He told Interesting Engineering, “I would go for the 2030s or 2040s at the latest. All we need is sufficient energy for the takeoff. That’s why nuclear energy is 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.”
Al-Ghaili vision of a floating world isn’t new to the lexicon of travel and thought as writings have been described as early as the 18th century in Jonathan Swift’s works. The concept was even seen in a 1986 Japanese movie, Castle in the Sky. While these previous designs and concepts were more fantasy than fiction, Sky Cruise has the advantage of relying on modern-day technology to make the project a potential versus a fantasy.