The former Amazon CEO was one of four private citizens aboard Blue Origin’s first human space flight Tuesday, testing the experience for future space tourists. (The Logic)

Talking point: The company plans to launch commercial flights to space later this year. It hasn’t disclosed prices, but secured paying customers for future flights from those who participated in an auction it held for a seat on Tuesday’s flight. Blue Origin’s competitor, Virgin Galactic, plans to start commercial services next year with 600 reservations in its books at about US$250,000 each. Bezos and Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson, who completed his space trip earlier this month, have faced criticism for the wasteful spending and environmental impacts of their space race. That hasn’t put a damper on Bezos’s day, though. In addition to thanking those at Blue Origin, the Amazon founder thanked Amazon’s employees and customers, “because you guys paid for all this.” Maybe the North American union drive for the company’s warehouse and delivery workers can consider that in its future negotiations?