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Virgin Galactic outlines 2026 flight test and commercial schedule, says ticket prices and backlog will change as fleet expands
Summary
Virgin Galactic told lawmakers it is assembling Delta‑class spaceships, expects glide and flight testing at Spaceport America beginning next summer, and aims for private astronaut flights in 2026; company said a deposit backlog exists (~700 customers) and cited current ticket prices around $450,000.
Virgin Galactic briefed the committee on near‑term operational plans and fleet development. Mike Moses, identified to the committee as president of Virgin Galactic Space Line, said the company paused commercial flights to redesign and manufacture a new Delta‑class fleet. Components are manufactured in multiple U.S. locations, assembled in Phoenix, and will be ferry‑flown to Spaceport America for ground testing and flight operations.
Schedule and capacity: Moses said glide and then spaceflight testing should begin next summer and that commercial private astronaut flights are targeted to resume in 2026. He described an initial operating plan of two Delta-class spaceships delivering a cadence of flights that could reach about 125 flights per year (per two ships at 2–3 flights per week) and projected 750 customers per year once the fleet is in service, with plans to add ships and a second carrier aircraft to increase capacity further.
Customers, ticketing and workforce: The company reported a deposit backlog of roughly 700 customers (deposits rather than final ticket issuance). Moses said the company planned to reopen ticket sales in Q1 of next year once the initial backlog is served. Current ticket prices were described in the hearing at approximately $450,000 per seat, down from higher peak figures earlier in the company’s history; Moses noted larger fleets and scale would be needed to materially lower ticket prices.
Local impact and operations: Moses said Virgin Galactic employs roughly 175–200 New Mexico residents and has invested tens of millions in facilities and equipment at Spaceport America; the company’s broader capital investment in its vehicle program was described as substantially larger (company‑level R&D and manufacturing costs in the hundreds of millions to over a billion). Moses said the carrier aircraft (Eve) had recently resumed flights from Spaceport America to prepare pilots and crews for upcoming operations.
Ending: The company’s update was presented for the committee’s information; members asked follow‑up questions about timing, customer handling and local hiring. No formal action was taken during the hearing.
