Virgin Galactic is poised to lead the space tourism pack.
Richard Branson’s company remains the only one that helps wealthy tourists explore the outer reaches of our atmosphere via subsonic flight — its only competitor bowed out recently, with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin announcing in January that it would end its space tourism efforts. And Virgin Galactic and its Delta spacecraft will get their chance in the spotlight later this year, when the aircraft is set to make its maiden flight in late 2026.
“The space launch later this year is going to be really important, especially now that it looks like Blue Origin has stopped putting people into space,” Branson said via live stream at a space conference in London, according to Bloomberg. “We need to fill that gap.”
The six-person Delta spacecraft, with its bright purple livery, was upgraded again in 2025, making it easier to change quickly between trips. Branson echoed that sentiment at the conference, saying the spacecraft could launch with a two-day lead time, return to Earth and hit the skies: “We’re building them now like you build airplanes,” the billionaire explained.
Introducing Virgin Galactic’s Delta Spaceship
Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic previously sold 700 seats on Delta, costing about $600,000 each. (Bids for a seat at Blue Origin, at one point, reached nearly $3 million.) Now, the company is also planning to reopen ticket sales, which should reduce that sky-high price tag over time, Bloomberg reported.
Virgin Galactic is no stranger to new frontiers: the company completed its first commercial space flight, carrying four passengers aboard the VSS. UnityReturned in June 2023. Since that 90-minute effort, Brand has also completed 12 other subflights, though he put those missions on hold to focus on Delta’s creation. And now it looks like 2026 is the spacecraft’s time to shine. After all, it is operating the only commercial flight into space, at least for now.
After all, it was once a major target of the billionaire space race, with everyone from Branson to Bezos to Elon Musk trying to transport people into space, whether for scientific missions or just for fun. Now, it has come face to face. After years focused on building a colony on Mars, Musk has since turned to building a “self-growing” city on the moon, while Bezos also has his eyes set on our closest neighbor in the galaxy. The Wall Street Journal Reportedly, turned the moon into a battle of the uber-rich. That leaves plenty of room in the skies for Virgin Galactic’s Delta.
