Virgin Galactic Holdings said it has released a limited number of tickets for its commercial spaceflight expeditions, pricing each seat at $750,000 as the company moves toward restarting its space tourism business following a multi-year pause.
The announcement came as part of the company’s fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results, signaling a renewed push into commercial operations as development of its next-generation SpaceShip vehicles progresses. The newly released tickets represent a selective reopening of sales rather than a full-scale return, highlighting the company’s measured approach as it prepares for higher flight cadence in the coming years.
Virgin Galactic indicated that the ticket release aligns with key operational milestones, including the near completion of its first new SpaceShip and the start of ground testing expected in April 2026. Flight testing is scheduled to begin in the third quarter, with commercial operations targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The company is also advancing production of a second SpaceShip, which is expected to enter service between late 2026 and early 2027, supporting its longer-term goal of scaling spaceflight frequency and improving unit economics.
The $750,000 price point represents an increase of roughly $100,000 compared to prior ticket pricing, reflecting both inflationary pressures and the premium positioning of limited early access seats. By releasing only a small number of tickets, Virgin Galactic appears to be balancing demand generation with operational readiness as it transitions back to active service.
Financially, the company continues to operate at a loss as it invests heavily in fleet development and infrastructure. Virgin Galactic reported fourth quarter revenue of approximately $0.3 million and a net loss of $63 million, while full-year revenue totaled $2 million with a net loss of $279 million. Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities stood at $338 million at the end of 2025.
Looking ahead, Virgin Galactic expects free cash flow in the first quarter of 2026 to range between $(90) million and $(95) million, with sequential improvement anticipated throughout the year as it progresses toward commercial flight resumption.
The limited release of $750,000 tickets marks a key step in Virgin Galactic’s strategy to reestablish its position in the space tourism market, particularly as competitors scale back operations, positioning the company as one of the few active providers of short-duration human spaceflight experiences.
KEY QUOTE:
“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. 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. With production of SpaceShips well underway, we are gearing up for rocket motor assembly at our Phoenix factory, with manufacturing planned to begin in Q4 2026. We continue to strategically manage our capital to support our planned ramp in cash flow from commercial spaceline operations.”
Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.
