Virgin Galactic Resumes Limited Commercial Spaceflights at Soaring Prices

Ticket prices jump to $750,000 as the company nears completion of its first new SpaceShip

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:20am

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Virgin Galactic has announced the reopening of limited sales for its commercial spaceflights, with ticket prices now set at $750,000 - a significant increase from the previous rate. The company says its first new SpaceShip is nearing completion and ground testing is set to begin in April, signaling progress in its space tourism business after a nearly two-year pause.

Why it matters

The return of Virgin Galactic's commercial spaceflights, albeit at a much higher price point, marks a major milestone for the space tourism industry as it seeks to make space more accessible to the general public. However, the steep price hike could limit accessibility and raise questions about the industry's long-term affordability and inclusivity.

The details

Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier stated that the company has released a limited number of "Virgin Galactic Spaceflight Expeditions" priced at $750,000 each. This represents an increase of about $100,000 from the company's previous pricing. Colglazier also noted that the company's first new SpaceShip is nearing completion and ground testing is set to begin in April, with a second SpaceShip expected to enter service between late 2026 and early 2027 to support a planned ramp-up in spaceflight cadence.

  • Virgin Galactic announced the limited spaceflights sales and pricing on April 1, 2026.
  • Ground testing for the company's first new SpaceShip is set to begin in April 2026.
  • The second SpaceShip is expected to enter service between late Q4 2026 and early Q1 2027.

The players

Virgin Galactic Holdings

A commercial space tourism company that is developing spacecraft for suborbital spaceflights.

Michael Colglazier

The CEO of Virgin Galactic Holdings.

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What they’re saying

“We completed pivotal milestones during the first quarter of 2026, and with assembly of our first SpaceShip nearly complete and ground testing set to begin in April, we have released a limited number of Virgin Galactic Spaceflight Expeditions, each priced at $750,000.”

— Michael Colglazier, CEO, Virgin Galactic Holdings

“Fabrication efforts are pivoting to support testing and production of our second SpaceShip, which we expect will enter service between late Q4 2026 and early Q1 2027 in line with our planned ramp in spaceflight cadence.”

— Michael Colglazier, CEO, Virgin Galactic Holdings

What’s next

With the first SpaceShip nearing completion and ground testing set to begin in April, the next key milestone will be the successful testing and certification of the vehicle, paving the way for the resumption of commercial spaceflights later this year. The company's plans to bring a second SpaceShip online by late 2026 or early 2027 will also be closely watched as it aims to ramp up its spaceflight cadence.

The takeaway

Virgin Galactic's return to commercial spaceflights, albeit at a significantly higher price point, underscores the continued challenges of making space tourism accessible to the broader public. While the company's technological progress is noteworthy, the steep ticket prices may limit the inclusivity of the space tourism industry and raise questions about its long-term affordability and sustainability.