Virgin Galactic Raises Ticket Price to $750,000, Shares Jump on Testing Timelines
Virgin Galactic resumed spaceflight ticket sales at $750,000 per seat, up $150,000 from prior pricing, driving shares up over 16%. The company reported near-complete assembly of its next-generation SpaceShip with ground testing starting April 2026 and commercial service slated for Q4 2026.
1. Ticket Sales Resumption and Price Hike
Virgin Galactic restarted ticket sales for its Spaceflight Expeditions at $750,000 per seat, up $150,000 from the previous price. The company released a limited allotment of seats under the new pricing structure to assess demand ahead of full sales.
2. SpaceShip Assembly and Testing Timeline
The first next-generation SpaceShip is nearing completion, with ground testing set to begin in April 2026 and initial flight tests planned later in the year. Commercial operations for this vehicle are targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.
3. Market Reaction
Shares of Virgin Galactic surged by over 16% on the announcement and progress update, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s path to recurring revenue. The stock’s sharp gain made it one of the top performers in Monday trading.
4. Second SpaceShip and Capacity Expansion
A second next-generation SpaceShip is expected to enter service between late 2026 and early 2027, enabling higher flight frequency and expanded customer capacity. Longer-term plans focus on scaling operations to meet rising demand for suborbital tourism.