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A new era of ultra-fast intercontinental travel may soon be on the horizon. Nippon Travel Agency Co., one of Japan’s oldest travel companies, has announced bold plans to launch point-to-point space transport by the 2030s. This will allow passengers to fly from Tokyo to New York in just 60 minutes.
In partnership with Innovative Space Carrier Inc., a Tokyo-based startup specializing in reusable rocket technology, Nippon Travel aims to make high-speed, near-space transportation a commercial reality. The companies envision using a rocket-powered transport vehicle that would launch from an offshore platform, briefly enter suborbital space, and reenter the atmosphere near its destination. This would cover around 6,835 miles in under an hour.
The planned round trip would cost approximately 100 million yen ($657,000) per passenger. While the initial price point firmly places the service in the luxury travel category, the partners hope to gradually reduce costs by increasing the number of flights each vehicle can complete over its operational lifespan.
The ambitious project will be rolled out in stages throughout the coming decade. Beginning in fiscal 2026, Nippon Travel plans to offer space-related experiences such as tasting space food, touring launch and research facilities, and engaging with astronaut training programs. These early initiatives aim to build public excitement and familiarity with commercial space travel before launching full-scale operations.
By the 2040s, the partnership anticipates expanding its services to include orbital stays, offering travelers the chance to spend time in low Earth orbit accommodations (effectively transforming space tourism into a viable leisure industry).
The rocket vehicle will operate from offshore launch sites, designed to minimize environmental and noise impact while maximizing safety. Once launched, the spacecraft will follow a suborbital trajectory (briefly exiting Earth’s atmosphere) before reentering and landing near its destination. This flight profile drastically reduces traditional travel times: a route that currently takes 12 to 14 hours by plane could be completed in roughly one hour.
Such flights could eventually connect any two points on Earth within 60 minutes, positioning Japan as a leader in the next frontier of aerospace-driven mobility. While several private companies (including SpaceX and Blue Origin) have successfully launched suborbital flights for research and tourism, Nippon Travel’s plan marks one of the first proposals to integrate space travel into commercial transportation. Unlike purely recreational space tourism, this concept aims to make suborbital flight a practical, point-to-point travel option, potentially revolutionizing the global aviation industry.
The service will initially cater to high-net-worth individuals and space enthusiasts. However, much like the early days of commercial aviation, industry experts believe costs could fall dramatically as reusability and operational efficiency improve. For Nippon Travel, the move represents a significant diversification from its traditional business roots. The agency will lead the design, marketing, and product development aspects of the venture, while Innovative Space Carrier will handle vehicle production and technical operations.
Anthony’s Take: If successful, Tokyo to/from New York could become the first route of its kind, demonstrating not only technological prowess but also a glimpse into a world where space becomes part of everyday travel. Now, I just need to find $657,000 for a ticket.
(Featured Image Credit: Innovative Space Carrier Inc.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
