You know that feeling when the floor drops out from under your stomach? Multiply that by about a thousand. For years, if you wanted to talk about the fastest roller coaster at Six Flags, you were talking about Kingda Ka. That massive green tower in New Jersey was the undisputed heavyweight champion, blasting riders to 128 mph in the blink of an eye.
But things changed. Fast.
As of early 2026, the crown has officially moved halfway across the globe. Kingda Ka didn't just lose its title; it actually closed down permanently at Six Flags Great Adventure to make room for a new era. Now, if you’re looking for the absolute peak of speed in the Six Flags portfolio, you have to look at Falcons Flight at the brand-new Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia. It doesn’t just beat the old records. It annihilates them.
The Ridiculous Stats of Falcons Flight
Honestly, calling this a roller coaster feels like an understatement. It's more like a low-altitude flight. Falcons Flight officially opened on December 31, 2025, and it is currently the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest coaster.
How fast is it? It hits 155 mph.
To put that in perspective, that’s faster than a Category 4 hurricane. It’s faster than most sports cars on a highway. While the old "fastest" rides used a single hydraulic or magnetic launch to get to speed, Falcons Flight uses three separate LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) launches to keep the momentum building.
The track is nearly 14,000 feet long. That’s about 2.6 miles. You aren't just getting a 30-second "one and done" thrill; the ride lasts over three minutes. Most of us are used to coasters that wrap up before you’ve even finished your first scream, but this thing just keeps going. It even dives off a natural 600-foot cliff.
Basically, it’s terrifying.
What Happened to Kingda Ka?
A lot of people are still showing up at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, expecting to ride the 456-foot tall Kingda Ka. If that's your plan, I've got some bad news.
The park officially retired Kingda Ka at the end of the 2024 season. It was a shock to the system for enthusiasts. Why would they tear down a world-record holder? Basically, the tech was 20 years old. Hydraulic launches are notoriously finicky and expensive to maintain. Six Flags decided to scrap it to make room for a "multi-world-record-breaking" launch coaster originally slated for 2026, though recent updates suggest that project might be sliding into 2027.
So, for now, the fastest coaster in the North American Six Flags parks has shifted by default.
The Top Speeds in North America Right Now
Since most people aren't hopping on a flight to Riyadh this weekend, let’s look at what’s actually reachable in the States. With Kingda Ka gone, the leaderboard for the fastest roller coaster at Six Flags in North America looks a bit different:
- Superman: Escape from Krypton (Six Flags Magic Mountain): This one hits 100 mph. It’s a classic shuttle coaster that blasts you backward up a 415-foot tower. It’s loud, it’s shaky, and it’s still one of the most intense feelings in California.
- Tormenta Rampaging Run (Six Flags Over Texas): This is the big news for 2026. It’s a "Giga Dive Coaster" opening in the Spain section of the park. It hits 87 mph. While it's not 150 mph, it’s a dive coaster, meaning it holds you over a 95-degree drop before letting go.
- X2 (Six Flags Magic Mountain): It "only" goes 76 mph, but the seats rotate 360 degrees independently of the track. It feels way faster than the speedometer says.
Why Speed Isn't Everything
Ask any coaster "thoosie" (enthusiast) and they’ll tell you: speed is just a number if the ride is boring. Kingda Ka was fast, sure, but it was over in less than a minute.
What makes the new generation of Six Flags coasters—like Falcons Flight—different is the "sustained" thrill. Because it uses multiple launches, you don't just hit a peak and then coast to a stop. You’re being pushed and pulled throughout the entire 2.6 miles.
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Then there’s the height. Falcons Flight features a 640-foot elevation change. That is basically a 60-story building. When you’re traveling at 155 mph at that height, the wind resistance is so strong that the trains have to be specially designed with windshields to protect your eyes. It’s a totally different beast than the rides we grew up with.
Planning Your Trip for Speed
If you’re a speed freak, 2026 is a weird transition year. The "old guard" of fast rides is being phased out for more reliable, high-tech versions.
If you want the absolute fastest, you’re heading to Qiddiya. If you’re staying in the U.S., Six Flags Magic Mountain is still the undisputed "Coaster Capital of the World" in terms of sheer volume, even if they’ve pushed their newest 2026 project back slightly to 2027.
Six Flags Over Texas is the sleeper hit this year. Tormenta Rampaging Run is breaking six world records for dive coasters. It’s the tallest and fastest of its kind. If you’ve never done a dive coaster, that moment where you’re staring straight down at the ground before the brakes release is arguably scarier than going 150 mph on a straight track.
Pro-Tips for the Fastest Rides
- Check the Status: Seriously. Fast coasters like Superman or the newer launch models are complex. They go down for wind or technical hitches often. Check the Six Flags app before you drive three hours.
- Middle vs. Front: On high-speed launch coasters, the front row is a religious experience because of the wind in your face. But on "drop" coasters like the new Tormenta, the back row actually gives you more "whip" and airtime over the crest.
- Loose Items: At 155 mph (or even 100 mph), a cell phone becomes a lethal projectile. Most of these new record-breakers have mandatory lockers. Don’t try to sneak a GoPro on; you’ll just get kicked out of the park.
The landscape of speed is changing. We’re moving away from the 2000-era "one big hill" designs and into an era of massive, sprawling, multi-launch layouts. Whether you're mourning Kingda Ka or booking a flight to see the Falcon, the rush is only getting more intense.
To make the most of your next trip, start by downloading the official park app for the specific Six Flags location you're visiting to track real-time wait times and ride closures. If you're targeting a record-breaker like Tormenta in Texas or Superman in California, prioritize those rides the moment the gates open to avoid the mid-day four-hour queues. For those looking to experience the world-topping speeds of Falcons Flight, ensure your travel documents are in order for Saudi Arabia well in advance, as Qiddiya City is a high-demand destination that requires specific entry planning.