Should I book my flight through my cruise line?

Erica Silverstein

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.

sky cruise plane booking

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.

sky cruise plane 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.

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Lifestyle Asia Kuala Lumpur

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.

Sky Cruiser

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

Sky Cruise nuclear hotel

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

This story first appeared on Prestige Online Hong Kong

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

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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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Meet Sky Cruise, A Concept Airplane That Serves As Flying Luxury Resort That Can Stay In The Air For Years

Tori latham.

sky cruise plane booking

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).

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 centres, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, playgrounds, theaters and cinemas.

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.

sky cruise plane booking

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.

Previously published on Robb Report .

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Nuclear-Powered Flying Hotel Is a Fun (if Ridiculous) New Concept

The designers claim it would stay suspended in the air for several years at a time - but viewers aren't so sure..

Adele Ankers-Range Avatar

An outlandish concept for a nuclear-powered floating hotel has been unveiled, designed to fly with 20 electric engines and an AI pilot in a nearly non-stop flight.

As reported by The Independent , Hashem Al-Ghaili posted a YouTube video showing conceptual plans for the Sky Cruise vessel, dubbed the "hotel of the future," with room for 5,000 guests. Its design combines "features of a commercial plane while offering the epitome of luxury" for passengers who would arrive at the hotel via airliner or private jet.

Sky Cruise is a concept for a nuclear-powered sky hotel. This video rendering shows the aircraft designed to fly with 20 electric engines, housing over 5,000 guests in nearly nonstop flight [full video, Hashem Al-Ghaili: https://t.co/XN2SFT6PMt ] pic.twitter.com/8RrxxtfxYc — Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) June 26, 2022

The narrator claims Sky Cruise would have no carbon footprint, as it would boast 20 electric engines powered solely by "clean, nuclear energy." This theoretically means that the hotel would never run out of fuel and could stay airborne for several years without ever needing to touch the ground, with maintenance and repairs also carried out above the clouds.

The concept for the cruiser, originally designed by Tony Holmsten and reimagined in the animations by Al-Ghaili, includes a command deck that would use AI to predict air turbulence so that it can "glide over the vibrations with ease," as well as a medical facility equipped with technology to keep passengers safe, healthy, and fit during their journey.

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sky cruise plane booking

The flying hotel would have plenty of recreational activities to keep guests occupied while they're onboard, too. The video render unveils an entertainment deck filled with shopping malls, sports centers, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, playgrounds for children, cinemas, and theaters. There's also a separate section for events and business meetings.

Outside of the main hub of activity, there is a panoramic hall inside an observation tower that offers 360-degree views of the sky above the clouds, plus three individual viewing domes for stargazing. The Sky Cruise would feature exterior elevators to shuttle guests from one location to another, provided people would be on board for the idea.

While it's a fun idea, many spectators called out the concept design after identifying some of its potential flaws, with one person commenting on YouTube: "If physics and aerodynamics didn't exist, then this vessel might actually be able to take off," while another added: "The designers forgot this thing is supposed to fly… Ergo, they need to adhere to the principles of aerodynamics."

Some people were concerned about the size of the cruiser, as one YouTube user pointed out how big the runway would need to be for such a "monster-sized" aircraft, and another added: "That thing is massive, it's at least 20 times larger than any commercial airplane. I can't even imagine the amount of maintenance something this massive would need." That's to say nothing of the potential danger of a nuclear-powered aircraft, well, crashing.

The use of AI also raises ethical questions , though it admittedly hasn't stopped people from experimenting. One person recently found themselves in a bizarre situation after they turned their imaginary friend into an AI microwave that attempted to kill them. That cautionary tale was followed by reports of a Google engineer claiming an AI chatbot had become sentient .

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

Thumbnail image credit: Hashem Al-Ghaili/Tony Holmsten.

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Sky Cruise: The Never-Landing Atomic-Powered Luxury Hotel

I n an ambitious leap into the future of travel, Yemeni science journalist Hashem Al-Ghaili has unveiled a concept that could revolutionize the hospitality and travel industries: Sky Cruise, a gigantic, atomic-powered “flying hotel” that never lands. This futuristic vision, presented on Al-Ghaili’s YouTube channel, proposes a luxury liner in the sky, capable of hosting 5,000 guests with amenities that rival any high-end cruise ship or luxury resort. The concept, fueled by “clean” atomic energy, suggests a new horizon in travel, blending the allure of endless exploration with the comforts of a five-star hotel.

By Aubree Ross

A New Era of Travel: The Sky Cruise Concept

Sky Cruise, designed to stay airborne indefinitely, is powered by nuclear engines, allowing it to host up to 5,000 passengers without ever needing to land. Boarding and repairs are planned to occur mid-air, showcasing a level of technological advancement that pushes the boundaries of current travel norms. This concept represents a significant shift from traditional travel, offering a glimpse into a future where journeys are not limited by the need to refuel or touch down.

Luxury in the Sky: Unparalleled Amenities

The Sky Cruise concept goes beyond mere transportation, offering an array of luxurious amenities. Envisioned are shopping centers, fitness studios, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, playgrounds for children, theaters, and cinemas. A 360-degree observation deck on the tail fin promises breathtaking views, highlighting the sheer scale and ambition of this project. This floating hotel aims to provide an unmatched experience, combining the thrill of flight with the opulence of a state-of-the-art resort.

Clean Energy and Autonomous Flight: A Futuristic Approach

Al-Ghaili’s vision for Sky Cruise includes the use of 20 turbines powered by advanced nuclear technology, enabling perpetual flight. This approach challenges the current limitations of aviation and integrates clean energy solutions, aligning with growing environmental consciousness. The concept also foresees autonomous operation, eliminating the need for pilots and relying on sophisticated AI systems for navigation and control.

Public Reaction and Feasibility: Dreams vs. Reality

While the Sky Cruise concept has captivated the imagination of many, it has also been met with skepticism. Concerns about the safety of nuclear energy in aviation and the practicality of such a massive undertaking have been raised. Additionally, the concept’s accessibility and affordability remain in question, with some speculating that it could be an exclusive experience for the wealthy. As of now, Sky Cruise remains a concept, a bold vision of what the future of travel could look like, but its realization hinges on technological advancements and public acceptance.

The Sky Cruise concept represents a daring and innovative vision of the future, blending luxury travel with advanced technology. While it challenges current norms and raises questions about feasibility and safety, it undeniably opens up exciting possibilities for the future of travel and hospitality. As we look ahead, Sky Cruise stands as a symbol of human ingenuity and the endless quest for progress, reminding us that the sky is not the limit, but rather the beginning of new horizons.

reviewed by Ever-Growing

This Viral Nuclear-Powered Flying Hotel Is Pure Science Fiction

Like Peter Pan, the flying hotel can Never, Never Land.

  • A concept for a nuclear-powered flying hotel is designed to stoke optimism and ingenuity.
  • Just 5,000 people and their basic necessities of food and water weigh more than the largest planes today.

A concept for an enormous, nuclear airplane hotel took the internet by storm late last month. Sky Cruise picks up the legacy of science fictions so old they predate the genre’s name by a century or more, promising to carry 5,000 people for years at a time while running on nuclear fusion energy . But 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.) The largest existing passenger aircraft is the Airbus A380 800, which can hold up to 853 passengers. It’s been manufactured since 2005 and can travel nearly 9,500 miles at a time, almost 40 percent of Earth’s circumference. Aerotime reports that there were 242 of these planes making up to 330 flights a day at their peak. But Sky Cruise creates an entirely new category. With up to 5,000 passengers, it’s large enough for other commercial aircraft to come and go in order to restock supplies and ferry passengers to and from the ground. It’s truly more like a flying town: 84 percent of the incorporated places in the U.S. have fewer than 10,000 people , according to Statista, a German market research company. My entire hometown would fit one-and-a-third times into the Sky Cruise. It’s more on par with the cruise ships that inspired it, which top out at about 5,500 passengers .

Those cruise ships weigh upward of 225,000 tons, though. The Airbus A380 800 has a maximum takeoff weight of just 650 tons, meaning even if we multiply out to a capacity of 5,000 passengers, that’s just 3,810 tons. The cruise ship would need to reduce weight by a factor of nearly 60 to compete in the air, or something spectacular would need to happen for an aircraft to support into at least the tens of thousands of tons. Aircraft at present are so vulnerable to the idea of excess weight that it has hindered any development of electric aircraft over a certain size because of the weight of the batteries alone.

The weight of 5,000 passengers, alone, at an average weight of 175 pounds, is nearly 440 tons. And let’s consider the weight of some of the items that 5,000 passengers will need. The average person needs at least four cups of water or other beverages a day. For 5,000 people, a month’s supply of just drinking water at a bare minimum rate of four cups per day—excluding bathing, cooking, and so on—is at least 156 tons. Most people are accustomed to drinking a lot more water than that. They’re also used to bathing regularly, brushing their teeth, boiling pasta, and so on.

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If all the people aboard were surviving on just 2,000 calories of rice every day, the dry rice alone for a month would weigh 91 tons. The human bodies, minimum drinking water, and dry rice alone would already weigh more than the existing maximum take-off weight for the largest-ever traditional airplane. Even with nuclear fusion-powered engines to keep the plane at cruising altitude for years at a time, it’s hard to imagine how this plane will take off in the first place. The length of runway jumps from at least 6,000 feet for consumer aircraft below 100 tons to 13,000 feet for larger planes like the Boeing 747 , and those top out at under 500 tons. Does this number double so regularly? Sky Cruise may need to take off from a U.S. interstate highway, or have a miles-long version of the slingshot used on aircraft carriers .

Would it have to be a vertical take-off vehicle , like a spacecraft launch? That’s no more outrageous than anything else about the concept; there are even existing ideas for how nuclear fusion might be harnessed to launch spacecraft. But the public and the scientific community are somewhat shy about discussing nuclear-powered launches because of the perceived risks of using this technology in a sort of freeform way on Earth’s surface. It’s challenging to imagine launching a nuclear-powered craft that will protect everyone and everything aboard from radiation and also not harm the ground crew.

Nuclear fusion devices occupy an interesting catch-22 in the public imagination because they’re touted as so plentiful as to be virtually infinite, meaning even the enormous weight of a 5,000-passenger Sky Cruise is considered negligible. After all, as we learn in calculus , any concrete number that faces infinity functionally reduces to zero. But Sky Cruise runs on 20 fusion reactors, where each one likely weighs many tons.

The world’s largest tokamak fusion reactor in the works, ITER in France, will weigh 23,000 tons . Even its individual components are so heavy that they require a specially-built access road to the facility after shipping in from overseas. ITER is considered oversize—an enormous, internationally cooperative, and symbolic prototype that will prove the technology is viable—but all nuclear fusion reactors have to deal with certain facts of life. They work by containing a quantity of elemental plasma that is millions of degrees hot. That usually requires not just a huge vessel, but an even huger surrounding vessel that holds supercooling mechanisms to keep the magnets and materials in the right zone to function and not melt down.

But the race to cross the nuclear fusion finish line is running in tandem with some other exciting research in materials, especially superconductors. One big push is for so-called “high temperature” (meaning, just not at nearly absolute zero ) or even “room temperature” superconducting materials, something that would mean a lot less superstructure surrounding the magnets that help to shape tokamak reactor plasma.

The Sky Cruise concept is outlandish at best, but you may find it inspiring: something that technology could eventually deliver to us that would potentially fill a need in the marketplace of ideas. And while that’s cool on its own, this fusion-powered aircraft could point toward something that’s more realistic in the near future, which is a regular passenger plane powered by some kind of nuclear reactor. If large airliners can’t support electric batteries, this may be something they could do instead, along with other concepts like hydrogen. Only time will tell.

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Caroline Delbert is a writer, avid reader, and contributing editor at Pop Mech. She's also an enthusiast of just about everything. Her favorite topics include nuclear energy, cosmology, math of everyday things, and the philosophy of it all. 

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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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Russia-Ukraine war latest: Putin vows to respond after Ukraine attacks Russia; Moscow building coalition to counter West

Russia and Ukraine have been repelling numerous air attacks in their border regions forcing evacuations of civilians on both sides. Meanwhile, politicians in Russia have passed a bill allowing future suspected or convicted criminals to join the army.

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Three people have been killed and five injured.

We'll bring you more on this as we get it. 

The army must "prepare genuinely for war" to credibly deter threats, a group of former defence and security chiefs have signalled.

Offering advice to whoever is prime minister and defence secretary after the election, a report by the New Bletchley Network - which drew on ideas from a discussion between a panel of experts - said a "hollowing out" of the regular army and reserves over the years must be reversed, warning the size of the force may already be beneath "national critical mass".

Among those who contributed to the discussion were Lord Mark Sedwill, a former cabinet secretary and national security adviser, Lord George Robertson, a former head of NATO and Labour defence secretary, and General Lord David Richards, a former head of the armed forces.

The intervention comes amid growing concern about a failure by Rishi Sunak's government to increase defence spending in the Spring Budget, despite Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warning the UK was in a "pre-war world" and Russia still waging a full-scale war in Ukraine.

Read more from our security and defence editor Deborah Haynes below...

British troops in Ukraine "cannot be ruled out", former defence minister Ben Wallace has said.

In an interview with Times Radio , Mr Wallace said "people need to wake up to how dangerous Vladimir Putin is" and six more years of the Russian leader meant "more insecurity".

He said this meant armed forces in the West needed to be "match fit".

Asked if NATO troops could be ruled out of fighting in Ukraine after French President Emmanuel Macron said "nothing should be excluded", Mr Wallace said: "We should use that phrase, 'we cannot rule them out'.

"Ultimately, part of deterrence is ambiguity... keeping the adversary guessing about how far we would go and what we would do.

"That's what Putin does masterfully - he keeps everyone guessing. It is important we never shut off avenues. It doesn't mean to say we necessarily will but it is important we keep people guessing.

"Ruling out things is how our adversaries push us into corners.

"I think the best thing is to make sure he [Putin] realises we think what he is doing in Ukraine is very, very serious. 

"I think President Putin - and we just saw that from the sham election - is the closest to Adolf Hitler we've had in this generation."

Vladimir Putin has said Russia will ensure the security of its border regions in a meeting with activists today.

The Russian leader said the country had its own plans on how to respond to shelling from Ukraine but will not attack the population and civilian targets.

"The primary task is to guarantee security," he said in televised comments.

"There are different methods here, they aren't easy but we will do this."

We reported earlier that Russia was evacuating 1,200 children after Ukraine attacked several regions (see post at 8.21am).

Russian officials said air defence systems destroyed all drones and missiles and that no one was injured.

The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to ban Russia's athletes from the opening parade of the Paris Olympics in July has been criticised by Russian officials this morning.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the move "did not paint the IOC in a good light" and called it a violation of the athletes' interests that ran against the entire ideology of the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the IOC decision was "unjust and unacceptable".

For context : Yesterday, the IOC said Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed to take part in the traditional parade at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

The opening ceremony on 26 July will see thousands of athletes travel on boats down the River Seine for several miles toward the Eiffel Tower, instead of the normal parade of teams inside a stadium.

The IOC said athletes from Russia and Belarus who are approved to compete at the Olympics as neutrals will have a chance only "to experience the event" - likely watching from near the river.

The IOC has laid out a vetting procedure for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be granted neutral status, with requirements including that they must not have publicly supported the invasion of Ukraine, or be affiliated with military or state security agencies.

Russian aircraft and vessels are "still vulnerable" despite Russia's use of camouflage and deception techniques, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

The ministry noted that while Russian military doctrine placed high emphasis on maskirovka - the use of camouflage - Russian forces had not been able to apply this tactic effectively enough and this was a "key operational failure in the early phases of the invasion".

But Russian forces have "highly likely been making efforts to increase and improve their employment of maskirovka" to mitigate the heavy losses sustained over the past two years.

"Despite these attempts at concealment, Russian aircraft are still vulnerable to conventional shootdowns while in the air and Russian vessels are still vulnerable while on operations in the Black Sea," the MoD said.

"It is unlikely that the use of maskirovka techniques will lead to any significant reduction in losses."

Russia is continuing efforts to build a coalition to counterbalance the West, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.

The US-based thinktank noted that in recent months Russia had been pursuing bilateral relationships with Iran, North Korea, and China.

This month, Russian deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko met with Chinese special representative on Korean peninsula affairs Liu Xiaoming and accused the West of "bloc thinking".

Russia has also "notably been pursuing an intensified relationship with North Korea", the ISW added, and has received ballistic missiles and artillery ammunition from the country.

Russian ambassador to China Igor Morgulov additionally met with Chinese Xinhua News Agency head Fu Hua to "discuss bilateral cooperation in the media sphere".

Also this month, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held a phone call with Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral cooperation.

The ISW reports that Russia's "pursuit of a stronger political and diplomatic bilateral relationship" with Beijing, Iran and North Korea represents a type of "bloc thinking " which Mr Liu and Mr Rudenko accused the US and its allies of. 

"The Kremlin has exploited the war in Ukraine to pursue bilateral relationships and create a coalition of states to counterbalance the West, which has long been a central aspect of Russia's foreign policy," the ISW said.

Vladimir Putin has said that he will consider China for his first overseas trip during his new presidential term. 

At a meeting with parliamentary factions yesterday the leader of the Communist Party, Gennady Zyuganov, asked the Russian leader to choose Beijing for a first trip.

"I hope that your first visit will be to the East, and not to the West. Comrade Xi Jinping is waiting for you to visit, he loves our country very much," TASS cited Mr Zyuganov as saying.

Mr Putin promised to consider the trip. 

"I will definitely - without any jokes - take into account what you just said," Mr Putin responded.

Over the weekend, Mr Putin claimed a landslide victory in Russia's presidential vote but it was a stage-managed election that could have only one winner.

Lawmakers in Russia have passed a bill allowing future suspected or convicted criminals to join the army.

The move will see recruits have their criminal cases suspended or have the rest of their prison sentence converted to a suspended sentence.

They will also be able to have their criminal records expunged if presented with state awards, The Moscow Times reports.

Serious convictions such as  espionage, terrorism and sex crimes cannot be pardoned.

"The legislative initiative makes it possible for those who are under investigation, on trial or have been sentenced to sign a military contract," senior State Duma member Pavel Krasheninnikov reportedly said.

For context : Vladimir Putin has shown no signs of wanting to bring an end to the war and Moscow has been trying to replenish its troops in Ukraine by various methods,

In January, Mr Putin signed a decree that sped up a path to Russian citizenship for foreigners who enlisted in the country's military. 

Sky News has also reported that around 2,000 Nepali men have been recruited by Russia to fight in its war against Ukraine.

Read that story here ...

Russia is evacuating 1,200 children after Ukraine attacked several regions.

Early this morning, governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, said two Ukraine-launched drones were intercepted near the city of Engels. 

Russia has a strategic bomber military base near the city.

Belgorod's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said last night that 1,200 children from areas most at risk would be temporarily transported by the end of the week to other Russian regions. 

He added that some 9,000 people had asked to be evacuated.

Other attempted attacks took place in Kursk and Voronezh, regions that also border Ukraine. 

Meanwhile, intense Russian bombing of Ukraine's northeastern border region of Sumy has prompted Kyiv to order evacuations of civilians.

"Since the beginning of the month, Russian aviation has already dropped almost 200 guided bombs on the communities of Sumy region," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his nightly address.

"Villages, cities, civilian infrastructure."

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