Virgin Galactic claims there are 100 people who are willing to buy more expensive tickets for space tours in ticket sales last August. In total there are about 700 ticket holders for space tours.
The company founded by Richard Branson hopes that about 300 more tickets from the 1,000 target can be sold before starting Virgin Galactic's commercial flights.
Although there are still many tickets left to be sold, Virgin Galactic claims ticket sales are selling well. According to them, the additions from this quarter were better than expected.
"We sold tickets faster than we planned. The pricing strategy we announced in the last quarter has been well received," said Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier, reporting on the company's third-quarter earnings.
Tickets are offered to a group of individuals who have made a refundable USD 1,000 deposit. This shows their interest in flying with Virgin Galactic. Early next year, they will open wider ticket sales to people who want to know flight information.
Virgin Galactic is reopening ticket sales, a month after successfully flying its founder, Richard Branson, to the edge of space last July.
Taking off from Spaceport America in New Mexico, Branson flew with two test pilots and three other passengers, reaching an altitude of more than 53 miles before returning to Earth.