The setup with the Axiom flights is that it's private access to a space station and associated capabilities before Axiom's own modules are ready (which are inte

The setup with the Axiom flights is that it's private access to a space station and associated capabilities before Axiom's own modules are ready (which are intended to start off as part of the ISS, eventually detaching and leaving their own private space station). Idea being that this way Axiom has some revenue and is able to gain some operational experience. Since the ticket is expensive and at least one seat is taken up by someone with spaceflight experience and AFAIK has high demand relative to the number of flights available, the people going up are doing at least something productive.