BARK, Inc., a leader in pet-centric products and services, has just launched BARK Air—this new airline service is specifically designed to cater to dogs and their human companions, leading the way in pet-friendly travel.
Starting today, you can begin booking with BARK Air, with the first flight taking off from New York’s Westchester County Airport on May 23. The service will initially connect major hubs including Los Angeles via Van Nuys Airport and London via Stansted Airport. While their initial services are launching in those three major hubs with Angelenos only being able to fly to New York at the moment, BARK plans to expand with more domestic and international routes soon.
Their aircraft will be designed to accommodate up to 15 dogs and their humans, though BARK Air will be limiting sales to just 10 tickets per flight for now. BARK Air will welcome dogs of all sizes and breeds without discrimination. Dogs will also enjoy the freedom to relax on laps, seats, or specially provided beds, a stark contrast to typical under-seat or cargo hold accommodations for furry friends.
The launch of BARK Air comes as the travel industry recognizes a growing need for more accommodating pet policies. American Airlines recently enhanced their service to allow passengers to bring a pet alongside a full-size carry-on, making air travel more accessible and affordable for pet owners.
According to BARK’s press release, here’s a snapshot of what travelers can expect on a typical BARK air journey:
- Booking: After booking your ticket, a BARK Air concierge contacts you to gather more details about your dog and travel itinerary to tailor your flying experience.
- Flight check-in on travel day:
- Arrive before your takeoff flight, and go through a streamlined check-in process that skips over crate requirements, the TSA, and other traditional security screening measures. During check-in, dogs can meet other dogs on their flight, and human companions can enjoy meals prepared by onsite chefs.
- To ensure comfort, prior to the flight, concierge will help dogs settle into their flight experience with socialization, calming treats, smells and music. Noise-canceling ear muffs and calming jackets will also be available to all furry passengers.
- In-flight experience:
- During the flight, dogs are given a choice of beverages to prevent ear discomfort while in the air. And of course, a variety of treats and snacks will be provided for all passengers throughout the flight.
“We are excited to take the insights we’ve learned over the years to create an experience that is truly dog-first, which is drastically different from just accepting dogs – from the ground to the skies,” said Matt Meeker, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at BARK.
When it comes to booking, each dog ticket includes a flight pass for one human. Additional passes can be purchased, though individuals under the age of 18 will not be permitted on BARK Air flights. Currently, tickets are priced at a whopping $6,000, with BARK Air stating that they hope to reduce costs as the service scales.
To see how the rest of the airlines stack against each other when it comes to pet travel, you can visit the American Kennel Club website. For more information on BARK Air and booking, visit DogsFlyFirst.com.