Skydivers Fly Through the World’s Tallest Hotel in Stunt
In Dubai, a group of elite wingsuit athletes planned a flight at Ciel Dubai Marina, officially recognized as the world’s tallest hotel. The building rises 1,237 feet (377 meters) and spans 82 stories above the Dubai Marina. Five wingsuit athletes affiliated with XDubai launched as a unit and approached the tower at speeds topping 124 miles per hour, roughly 200 kilometers per hour. It was a choreographed sequence designed to prove accuracy at speed, using the hotel as a fixed obstacle.
This Building Made the Difference
Ciel Dubai Marina features a vertical opening in its center, an architectural feature known as the Eye of the Needle, which turned a tall building into a navigational challenge. During the approach, the group split into formations. One athlete tracked over the top of the tower, and two flew along opposite sides of the facade.
The lead flyer threaded the Eye of the Needle, passing cleanly through the core before rejoining the group mid-air. This layout allowed multiple flight lines within an error tolerance of inches, all timed to converge safely after the most technical moment.
Speed Is Easy, Control Is Hard
Image via Getty Images/AscentXmedia
Wingsuit flight rewards experience. The athletes involved had years of flight time before this attempt entered serious planning. Public interviews tied to the event confirmed dozens of practice jumps tailored to this specific scenario. Teams rehearsed approach angles, separation timing, and recovery points before the camera rolled.
The Role of Dubai’s Extreme Sports Playbook
Dubai has a long track record of pairing new landmarks with high-skill aerial displays, and this event followed that pattern. The flight was organized in partnership with Visit Dubai and Skydive Dubai to align tourism promotion with verified athletic credibility. The presence of established aviation and skydiving groups shows incredible risk management.
Much More Than a Viral Clip
@cnn In one of the most unprecedented aerial stunts, five elite wing suit athletes from XDubai carried out a precision flight around the world’s tallest hotel, Ciel Dubai Marina. The lead skydiver flew through a narrow opening, dubbed “the eye of the needle,” at speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour. #dubai #skydivers #hotel #travel ♬ original sound – CNN
The footage released afterward showed vapor trails, clean formation changes, and parachute deployment well clear of the tower.
Ciel Dubai Marina opened with over 1,000 rooms and suites, floor-to-ceiling windows, and rooftop amenities that stretch to the sky. The stunt matched that ambition in form.