BARK Air, airline for dogs, takes first flight departing from New York

BARK Air, the first airline dedicated to dogs, launched its inaugural flight from New York to Los Angeles. Founded by the pet company Bark, this unique service offers a "dogs-first" flight experience, ensuring canines are the priority, not treated as cargo. Each flight accommodates 15 dogs and their humans, with tickets starting at $6,000, covering one dog and an adult companion.

The airline currently operates between New York, Los Angeles, and London, with plans to prioritize comfort by never booking to full capacity. BARK Air's flights, which use Gulfstream G5s, have been selling out, indicating strong demand for pet-centered air travel. This venture represents a significant shift towards accommodating the needs of pets in the aviation industry.

Inspiration behind BARK Air

BARK Air was created by BARK, a leading global omnichannel dog brand, with the mission to make all dogs happy3. The company was founded in 2011 to disrupt the dog space and create products designed for dogs and their humans. Recognizing the challenges dog owners face when traveling long distances with their pets, BARK Air was launched as the world's first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first, and their human companions second.

Transformation of Flying Experience for Dogs

BARK Air aims to revolutionize flying for dogs by providing a truly dog-first experience. This is achieved by redirecting the white glove experience typical of a human's first-class flight to pampering pooches instead. From booking to arrival, in-flight services, and disembarkation, dogs are treated as VIPs with a luxurious, curated experience.

Some key features of BARK Air that transform the flying experience for dogs include:

1. Dog-friendly travel: BARK Air allows dogs of any size and breed to fly, with no breed restrictions. This addresses a major issue faced by pet owners, as many commercial airlines have strict restrictions on the size and breed of dogs that can fly in the cabin.

2. Comfortable and stress-free travel: BARK Air ensures the comfort and well-being of dogs during flights. This includes providing calming treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, and calming jackets to help dogs relax during the flight.

3. In-flight amenities: Dogs are offered pillows and blankets treated with calming pheromones to help them feel settled. They are also served their beverage of choice during ascent and descent to ensure they do not experience any ear discomfort caused by changes in cabin pressure.

4. Socialization and dog-centric cabin preparation: Prior to boarding, a BARK Air concierge helps dogs settle into their experience through socialization and ensuring a dog-friendly environment on board. The plane is treated to a "Dogs Fly First" flight prep with calming pheromones, music, and colors that pups prefer.

5. Safety measures: Each BARK Air flight has a fear-free certified concierge traveling on board. The concierge is trained in CPR for dogs to ensure in-air safety.

By offering these unique features and amenities, BARK Air aims to make air travel more accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable for dogs and their human companions.