Would you pay AED2.75m to visit space? Virgin Galactic prepares new fleet amid Middle East demand
The space-tourism company is asking the public to name its second new spacecraft as it prepares to resume commercial flights in 2027
Virgin Galactic's next commercial spaceflight will be pushed back to February, delaying customer launches for an additional period. The company, which last flew in June 2024, had previously aimed for late 2026 but is now extending the timeline due to minor delays in installing avionics and systems across their new spaceship. CEO Michael Colglazier stated that no single factor drove the schedule adjustments; instead, it was a matter of small but crucial installation tasks.
Virgin Galactic has already conducted one commercial spaceflight with their VSS Unity, which was retired the following year after completing seven successful flights. The new Delta class vehicles, designed for more frequent flights, will be built and will seat six passengers each, flying suborbital missions lasting 60 to 90 minutes.
The second Delta spaceship is expected to arrive at Spaceport America in New Mexico in March 2027. Despite the flight hiatus, demand for tickets remains strong, with the latest tranche being oversubscribed at a price of $750,000 per seat, though this figure is no longer available. Colglazier hinted at higher future prices, citing recent increases in the past.
The company reported a net loss of $56 million in Q2 2026, down from $67 million in the same period the previous year, but anticipates positive cash flow and flight rates of 10 or more per month by late 2027.
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