Suborbital spaceflight, which requires only a brief jump above the boundary of space without achieving orbit, has often been perceived as the simpler path to commercial space access. This chapter uncovers how, despite appearances, suborbital ventures present formidable technical, financial, and regulatory hurdles. The story begins with the Google X Prize and the landmark achievement of SpaceShipOne, demonstrating that privately funded projects could reach suborbital altitudes. Next, the chapter examines Virgin Galactic’s ambitious quest to become the first “space airline,” promising routine suborbital flights for tourists and researchers alike. Simultaneously, Blue Origin’s New Shepard program pursued its own vision of accessible spaceflight, focusing on a reusable rocket-capsule system to ferry passengers into suborbital space. Despite these pioneering efforts, delivering on the bold promise of mass-market suborbital tourism has proved more elusive than anticipated. Financial obstacles, technical setbacks, and evolving safety standards have tempered initial enthusiasm. By reflecting on early breakthroughs and ongoing struggles, this chapter assesses the near-term trajectory of suborbital enterprises and contemplates whether they can fulfill the dream of affordable, routine access to space—an aspiration still awaiting full realization.