Chinese travel platform sparks debate with US$760,000 space flight package

Chinese online travel platform Trip.com has turned heads by launching its most expensive offering to date: a space flight package costing at least 5.1 million yuan (US$759,900).

The six-day trip includes several days of preflight training followed by a 90-minute suborbital flight operated by US-based provider Virgin Galactic, which takes off from Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The first four days are devoted to preparation and training, with the air-launched space flight taking place on the fifth day, according to Ctrip, Trip.com’s mainland China platform.

The 5.1 million yuan price tag covers only the space flight programme and related accommodation, with return air fares to the United States, visas, insurance and other expenses charged separately.