Virgin Galactic to Delay Delta-Class Flight to 2027
The company pushes the first commercial launch of its new spacecraft to the second quarter of 2027.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Space
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Virgin Galactic will delay the first commercial flight of its Delta-class spaceship until early second-quarter 2027. The schedule adjustment is necessary to allow more time for avionics software integration and validation.
Why it matters
This delay shifts the timeline for the company to resume commercial space tourism following the retirement of its previous spacecraft. Ensuring robust software performance is critical as the company transitions to its next generation of flight hardware.
The firm retired its predecessor, VSS Unity, which completed 7 commercial flights before its service ended. Structural testing for the new Delta-class fleet's wing and fuselage continues at the company's factory in Mesa, Arizona.
The players
Virgin Galactic
This American spaceflight company develops commercial spacecraft for space tourism.
VSS Unity
This was the company's previous operational spacecraft that successfully completed seven commercial spaceflights.
Eve
This is the company's custom-built carrier aircraft used to transport spaceships to high altitudes before launch.
The details
The first Delta-class vehicle is scheduled to arrive at Spaceport America in New Mexico on October 28, 2026, for captive-carry testing mated to the carrier aircraft Eve. The company plans to reach two-ship commercial operations by early third-quarter 2027.
Timeline
June 2024: VSS Unity was officially retired from commercial service.
October 28, 2026: The first Delta-class spaceship arrives at Spaceport America.
Early Q2 2027: The first commercial spaceflight is expected to take place.
Late Q2/Early Q3 2027: A second Delta-class ship is slated to enter service.
Early Q3 2027: Two-ship commercial operations are targeted to begin.
The Big Picture
This transition marks a departure from the company's initial flight program as it moves toward a more industrial scale of operations. The move reflects the increasing complexity of flight hardware compared to the legacy systems replaced by the Delta-class fleet.
Future commercial space tourists may face longer wait times for their flights as the company prioritizes avionics safety. This shift could influence long-term demand as the market for suborbital travel scales toward its targeted two-ship operational capacity.
The takeaway
Achieving routine commercial operations requires strict adherence to software validation milestones before human passengers can be cleared for flight. Potential investors should monitor upcoming captive-carry tests as key indicators of the program's technical progress.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of commercial spaceflight, visit the Space section.
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