AlUla to welcome guests on ‘Museum in the Sky’ flight by Saudia

The world’s first “Museum in the Sky” flight operated by Saudia Airlines, will take off from Riyadh to AlUla on November 4, 2021.

The Museum of the Sky is a joint collaboration between AlUla and Saudia, to highlight the significance of the former as a living museum, with only a small fraction of identified archaeological sites currently being investigated.

Guests on the Museum in the Sky can book some of the first tickets to the new Hegra After Dark experience, an evening event in the World Heritage Site to enjoy a taste of AlUla, the living immersion theatre performance, Queen Shuqailath, and a stargazing experience surrounded by the Nabataean works of art, a statement said.

Onboard the flying museum, a replica collection of artefacts discovered in AlUla during excavations showcase mysteries of its ancient civilizations. Saudia will also launch their new in-flight entertainment system (IFE), Discover Saudi Arabia, on which passengers can watch the Discovery Channel documentary movie – Architects of Ancient Arabia – revealing that some of human civilization’s first elements were in AlUla.

Archaeologist, Dr. Rebecca Foote, director of archaeology and cultural heritage research at The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: “There is an extraordinary volume of work ongoing in AlUla by both local and international archaeological teams, and yet we are only just beginning to understand the complexity of AlUla’s past. AlUla is a true hidden gem in the Arabian Peninsula, and we are slowly revealing its secrets. I am looking forward to sharing more about our work to the passengers onboard Saudia’s Museum in the Sky.”

“We are delighted that Architects of Ancient Arabia will be displayed onboard Saudia IFE system – we aim to serve our passionate audience of super fans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains,” added Kerrie McEvoy, channel director, Discovery Channel, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “This was a special project for Discovery, and AlUla is a special place with untouched desert and some of the most stunningly well-preserved evidence of ancient civilizations.”

Khaled Tash, vice president of corporate communication, Saudia Group, said: “We have created a dedicated channel in our in-flight entertainment system to display this beautifully produced documentary by the Discovery Channel.

“Broadening our partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, we are creating a ‘Museum in the Sky’ experience to AlUla that brings its rich heritage to life on board Saudia.”

AlUla is offering a range of activities to welcome both domestic and international visitors over the coming months. A new programme of four distinct festivals commences from December 21, including the 3rd Winter at Tantora, AlUla Skies, AlUla Arts, and AlUla Wellness Festival. Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of culinary experiences. Meanwhile, equestrian events will include the new haute couture horse fashion event, the return of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Race and AlUla Desert Polo.

In April, RCU confirmed that its regeneration project – The Journey Through Time Masterplan – offers a $15bn opportunity for responsible investment in public-private partnership projects.

Read: Royal Commission for AlUla unveils $15bn opportunity for public-private partnerships

Also read: Saudi Arabia: How AlUla’s development reverberates a message of inclusion, sustainability and culture