Ctrip Lists Virgin Galactic Seats From RMB5.1 Million
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Ctrip's luxury travel brand has put 2027 Virgin Galactic suborbital spaceflight tickets on public sale in mainland China, with a starting price of RMB5.1 million per person, making it the most expensive space-tourism product openly sold through a domestic channel. The package spans six days in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where passengers undergo several days of training before launch, while separate costs such as international air tickets, visas and insurance are not included. Customer service said two orders have been completed through the platform, while the much-discussed figure of 681 referred to Virgin Galactic's cumulative global orders rather than domestic sales. The 2027 seats are for Virgin Galactic's next-generation Delta-class spacecraft after the earlier VSS Unity retired in 2024
Key Points
- The product was listed on Ctrip's premium Honghu Yiyou travel brand, with fares starting at RMB5.1 million, or about HK$5.96 million, per passenger
- The itinerary lasts six days and five nights in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with training, accommodation, meals and airport transfers included in the ticket price
- Sources differ on training length, with one report saying four days of intensive preparation and another saying three days before the launch programme.
- The formal flight is scheduled on day five, using Virgin Galactic's Delta-class spacecraft for a 90-minute suborbital journey with a few minutes of weightlessness.
- Booking requires a US$150,000 deposit that is non-refundable if the trip is cancelled, and passengers are subject to platform screening and Virgin Galactic confirmation
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong and mainland travellers with ultra-high spending power, the listing turns commercial spaceflight from an abstract luxury into a bookable travel product with a visible price and process. It also shows that buying a seat does not mean an immediate launch, because medical assessment, training, queueing and operator approval remain part of the experience.