News
| Aug 5, 2021

Branson’s Virgin Galactic to sell space flight tickets starting at US$450,000

/ Our Today

administrator
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut’s wings at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic’s passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. (File Photo: REUTERS/Joe Skipper)

(Reuters)

Spaceship company Virgin Galactic said it will open ticket sales on Thursday (August 5) for space flights starting at US$450,000 a seat, weeks after billionaire founder Richard Branson’s high-profile trip to the edge of space.

Branson soared more than 50 miles above the New Mexico desert aboard a Virgin Galactic rocket plane on July 11 and safely returned in the vehicle’s first fully crewed test flight to space, a symbolic milestone for a venture he started 17 years ago.

RECEIVED APPROVAL TO FLY PEOPLE TO SPACE

Shares of the company rose five per cent in extended trading on Thursday.

In June, Virgin Galactic received approval from the US aviation safety regulator to fly people to space.

The company said it will have three consumer offerings – a single seat, a multi-seat package and a full-flight buy out.

Sales will initially open to the company’s significant list of “early hand-raisers”, it said.

Tags
aviation Richard Branson rocket plane safety regulator space travel ticket prices Virgin Galactic

Comments

What To Read Next

News JAM Apr 1, 2026

Young Jamaica calls for resignation of MP Dennis Gordon over UHWI tax exemption scandal

Reading Time: 2 minutesYoung Jamaica, the youth arm of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has called for the resignation of East Central St Andrew Member of Parliament Dennis Gordon following revelations made during a recent session of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“Young Jamaica, take note of confirmation during yesterday’s Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that JACDEN Limited is among the multi-million dollar beneficiaries of what a recent report from the Auditor General revealed to be the unlawful and inappropriate use of the tax exemption status of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI),” the youth arm said in a statement.
News JAM Apr 1, 2026

PAHO and MOHW conclude after-action review workshop to boost hurricane preparedness

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), recently concluded a two-day After-Action Review (AAR) workshop held from March 24–25. The workshop aimed to strengthen Jamaica’s preparedness and response systems following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

After-Action Reviews are a standard tool in emergency management, used to assess response efforts, capture lessons learned, and improve coordination, planning, and operational systems for future events. Importantly, aligning the AAR process with the International Health Regulations (IHR) ensures that the evaluation of public health emergencies meets globally recognised standards, strengthening Jamaica’s ability to detect, assess, report, and respond to health threats in a timely and effective manner.
News USA Apr 1, 2026

USCIS strengthens screening and vetting of immigration applicants

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a series of strengthened screening and vetting measures aimed at enhancing national security and public safety, particularly for applicants from high-risk countries.

In a statement released Tuesday (March), USCIS said its review of pending workloads and benefit applications revealed that prior screening measures were “wholly inadequate.” According to the agency, many applicants for naturalisation and lawful permanent residence were not sufficiently vetted, creating risks to national security and public safety while undermining the integrity of the immigration system.