Terrifying, crazy and breathtaking could all be used to described the Dinner in the Sky experience.
Taking flight in Dubai from January 10, a maximum of 22 diners at a time will be hoisted 50 metres in the air over Dubai Marina to enjoy one of the most unique dining initiatives in the world.
The big dining table in the sky is not for the fainthearted, foodie dare-devils are literally strapped into a chair that can swivel 360 degrees. Once in the air you have nothing under you feet except for a small footrest and the desert air around you.
Each flight is 55 minutes in duration, in which time you are served a meal - catered by the Ritz Carlton - of your choosing (brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner), which is based on the session time.
So how does it play out and what is it like? At first, you’re checked in to your session at the Dubai International Marine Club, where you sign a disclaimer acknowledging the risk you’re taking, then it’s on to a shuttle bus for the short journey to the Dinner in the Sky location, which is situated opposite Skydive Dubai.
Once you’ve secured your valuables in your allocated locker — you can only take a phone and a camera up — it’s over to the table to be strapped in. Two straps are secured over your shoulders and one around your waist, and tightened.
Once everyone is strapped in, it’s onwards and upwards. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to 50m mark, and surprisingly enough, it’s smooth going. With a weight of six tonnes, the table floats in the air with minimal movement.
There are four catering crew onboard, all harnessed inm serving your meal and they are happy to take pictures for you. Their service is accompanied by music that includes mostly tunes that have a sky theme, think Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
About 15 minutes into the experience the platform slowly moves 180 degrees to give diners a complete view of the marina and Dubai’s other notable landmarks including The Beach at Jumeirah Beach Residences, Atlantis the Palm, the Burj Al Arab and the Arabian Gulf.
If you dare you can swivel your chair, if not the view is just fine from the table view, believe me.
The Dinner in the Sky initiative originated in Belgium and has already hosted more than 5000 events held in 40 cities in the world, including in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Although the concept is not new to Dubai — it has been available for corporate events in the past — this is the first time it is available to the general public and according to the UAE concept’s managing director, Ahmed Ishbair why not?
“Dubai is one of the best cities in the world, it has the view, the weather, the environment and we are very happy to be here,” he says.
“People love to try something new in Dubai,” adds Ishbair’s business partner Rafael Moreno. “It’s something nice to do, you can enjoy the stunning views and have a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The Dinner in the Sky experience, which is being catered for by the Ritz Carlton, will be available to the public at DIMC over the next four months with session times starting from 2.40pm on weekdays and from 11.50am on the weekends. Prices start from Dh499 per person and bookings can be made online at www.dinnerinthesky.ae.
The National was a guest of Dinner in the Sky.
mhealy@thenational.ae
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
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Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
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When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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Available: Now
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Fixtures (all times UAE)
Saturday
Brescia v Atalanta (6pm)
Genoa v Torino (9pm)
Fiorentina v Lecce (11.45pm)
Sunday
Juventus v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Inter Milan v SPAL (6pm)
Lazio v Udinese (6pm)
Parma v AC Milan (6pm)
Napoli v Bologna (9pm)
Verona v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Monday
Cagliari v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
