For over a decade, if you wanted to experience the absolute limit of terrestrial speed on tracks, you booked a flight to Abu Dhabi. You stood in the heat at Ferrari World, strapped on a pair of skydiving goggles, and let Formula Rossa punch you in the gut with a 149 mph launch. It was the undisputed king. The benchmark.
But the world just changed.
As of late December 2025, there is a new monster in the desert. It is called Falcon’s Flight, and honestly, the stats feel like they were pulled from a kid’s fever dream or a glitchy game of RollerCoaster Tycoon. It isn't just a little bit faster than the previous record holder; it’s an entire category of "nope" for the faint of heart.
The New King: Falcon’s Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya City
The crown officially moved on December 31, 2025, with the grand opening of Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia. This is the first Six Flags park outside North America, and they didn't come to play. They built an "Exa Coaster"—a term the industry uses for rides that break the 600-foot height barrier—and it is currently the fastest roller coaster in the world.
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How fast? Try 155.3 mph (about 250 km/h).
Most people can't even conceptualize that kind of speed when you're sitting in a seat with nothing but a lap bar and some high-tech engineering between you and the atmosphere. For context, that’s faster than a Category 5 hurricane. It’s faster than most street-legal sports cars are electronically limited to.
It’s not just about the speed
What’s wild about Falcon’s Flight isn’t just the speedometer reading. It’s how it gets there. The ride uses three distinct electromagnetic (LSM) launches to keep the momentum building.
The first two launches are basically appetizers. They get you moving, sure, but the third one? That’s the "hold on to your soul" moment. It happens right as you’re diving off the side of a massive natural cliff—the Tuwaiq mountain face—plunging 525 feet toward the valley floor.
Because you’re already moving when you hit that final launch, the acceleration is predatory. It feels less like a ride and more like being fired out of a railgun.
Why Formula Rossa Finally Lost the Top Spot
For 15 years, Formula Rossa held the title because it used a hydraulic launch system modeled after the tech that flings fighter jets off aircraft carriers. It was violent, mechanical, and legendary.
But Formula Rossa had a ceiling. It was essentially a one-trick pony—a massive launch into a relatively short course. Falcon’s Flight is a different beast entirely.
- Track Length: It stretches over 2.6 miles. That’s nearly 14,000 feet of track.
- Ride Duration: Most coasters are over in 60 to 90 seconds. This thing lasts about 3 and a half minutes.
- The Windshield Factor: You actually have to have a protective shield on the front of the train cars because at 155 mph, hitting a stray desert bug or a grain of sand would feel like getting shot with a BB gun.
The Current Global Speed Rankings (2026 Edition)
If you're planning a "speed tour" of the planet, the leaderboard has shifted significantly in the last year. It's a weirdly concentrated list, mostly dominated by Intamin, the Swiss manufacturer that seems to have a monopoly on making people scream for their lives.
- Falcon’s Flight (Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia): 155.3 mph. The new gold standard.
- Formula Rossa (Ferrari World, UAE): 149.1 mph. Still terrifying, but officially the silver medalist.
- Top Thrill 2 (Cedar Point, USA): 120 mph. After a massive reimagining of the original Top Thrill Dragster, this triple-launch vertical spike coaster takes the bronze.
- Red Force (Ferrari Land, Spain): 111.8 mph. Europe’s fastest, though it feels "slow" compared to the desert giants.
- Steel Dragon 2000 (Nagashima Spa Land, Japan): 95 mph. A classic that proves you don't need a launch to be fast; you just need a really, really big hill.
What Most People Get Wrong About Coaster Speed
There's a common misconception that "tallest" always means "fastest." For a long time, that was true because gravity did all the work. You’d go up a lift hill, drop, and physics would convert that potential energy into kinetic energy (speed).
But modern engineering has moved past that.
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Falcon’s Flight is the fastest because it combines a record-breaking drop with linear synchronous motors. If it relied on gravity alone, it would still be fast, but it wouldn't hit that 155 mph mark. It’s the "boost" during the descent that makes the difference.
Another thing: G-forces. People think high speed equals high Gs. Not necessarily. A well-designed coaster like Falcon’s Flight is engineered to keep the G-forces manageable (usually around 4 to 5 Gs) so you don't black out. The designers at Intamin used massive, sweeping turns with huge radii to ensure the speed feels smooth rather than bone-crushing.
Is Falcon’s Flight Actually Worth the Trip?
Saudi Arabia isn't exactly a weekend drive for most of us. But if you’re a "credit hunter"—the hardcore enthusiasts who travel the world to check off rides—this is the new Mecca.
Six Flags Qiddiya City isn't just a one-hit wonder either. They’ve packed the place with other world-record breakers:
- Sirocco Tower: The tallest free-standing drop tower.
- Iron Rattler: The world’s tallest tilt coaster (where the track literally tips 90 degrees while you’re parked at the top).
- Spitfire: The world's tallest inverting coaster.
It’s basically an arms race in physical form.
How to Prepare for 155 MPH
If you actually find yourself standing in the "City of Thrills" queue, there are a few practical things you should know. This isn't your local carnival ride.
First, neck strength matters. When that third launch kicks in at the bottom of the cliff, you need to keep your head against the headrest. If you're leaning forward trying to look at the view, the whiplash won't be fun.
Second, hydration is key. Qiddiya is in the desert. You're going to be losing moisture just standing in line, and high-speed air stripping the sweat off your skin on the ride will dehydrate you faster than you think.
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Lastly, check the wind. These hyper-fast coasters are sensitive. If there’s a sandstorm or high winds, Falcon’s Flight will likely go into a temporary "wind hold." It’s worth checking the local weather forecast before you drop $87 (SAR 325) on a ticket.
Your Next Steps for a Speed-Focused Trip
If you're serious about riding the fastest roller coaster in the world, start by looking at travel packages to Riyadh. Most international visitors stay in the city and take the 40-minute shuttle to Qiddiya.
- Check the Status: Always check the official Six Flags Qiddiya City website for "Ride Status" before booking. Record-breaking machines are notorious for technical downtime.
- Compare the Middle East Duo: Since Abu Dhabi is only a short flight from Riyadh, many enthusiasts are now doing a "Speed Double Header"—visiting Formula Rossa and Falcon’s Flight in one trip.
- Document the Gear: Remember that loose items are a no-go. You'll pass through metal detectors. If you want a POV of your reaction, you'll need to buy the official on-ride video; your GoPro will end up as a projectile in the sand if you try to sneak it on.
The era of 150+ mph coasters has finally arrived, and while Falcon's Flight sits on the throne today, the engineering bar has been set so high that it might stay there for another decade.