From there, Virgin Galactic hopes to increase the pace of flights with additional space planes coming into service. In the middle of 2022, Virgin Galactic plans one more test flight to verify the upgrades and then begin commercial operations, Colglazier said. Virgin Galactic will then pause operations for upgrades to the space plane, named VSS Unity, and to the carrier airplane that takes it off the ground to an altitude of about 45,000ft before releasing it for its short flight to space. It is still a test flight, but it will carry paying customers – the Italian air force bought the flight for two of its researchers to conduct experiments. The next flight is scheduled for late September. Branson finally got his flight in July as one of six people during a test flight that was the first such journey to resemble a full commercial flight as envisaged by the company. The more expensive prices can be maintained up until the day of the flight to capitalize on your desperation. But development of the rocket plane proved much more difficult and slow than planned. The cheaper tickets will come with various caveats and inconveniences (only available if you buy more than 14 days prior, etc.) and will be available in smaller batches. Branson founded Virgin Galactic in 2004, and he originally expected commercial flights to begin by 2008. Through the years, Branson had repeatedly said he expected commercial flights would begin shortly. While the earlier customers’ tickets are relative bargains now, they have been waiting for years longer than they had anticipated for their flights. But, he said, the trip to space still "delivers such great value, that the people who experience this journey with us can't help but recommend it". Michael Colglazier, Virgin Galactic's chief executive, acknowledged during a call with industry analysts as the company announced its quarterly earnings that the higher price would lead to higher revenues and please shareholders. Virgin Galactic will first make tickets available to the 1,000 people who were able to reserve a spot on the waiting list for when ticket sales resumed. And if you hadn't already put down a $1,000 refundable deposit and secured a place on the waiting list, you'll have to wait even longer. About 600 people have tickets from the earlier round of sales. That's some $200,000 (about €169,100) more than what the company was charging in 2014 before it suspended sales after the crash of its first space plane, VSS Enterprise, during a test flight. While prices for airfare are on the decline, those for lodging away from home, including hotels, motels, and resorts, have risen three percent since April 2022. On Thursday, Virgin Galactic announced that it was resuming sales of tickets for its flights, which rise above 80km and offer about four minutes of free fall and a view of Earth against the darkness of space. At the top, choose the number of stops, cabin class, and how many tickets you need. If you were hoping to buy a ticket to space on one of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space planes, you'll probably wish you bought one seven years ago. Track prices for a route or flight Go to Google Flights.
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