Dogs Are Getting Their Own Airline
Who says seeing the world is just for humans? Our furry friends are now set to take to the skies with the help of the world's first airline tailored to dogs.
From October, dogs and their human companions can travel to Paris, New York, Los Angeles, London and beyond with Bark Air, an airline designed for dogs.
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Founded by Bark, a company known for its dog-related products including toys, food and more, Bark Air celebrated its maiden voyage in May 2024—and the response has been a tail-wagging success.
"The interest and enthusiasm around Bark Air to date has been overwhelming," co-founder and CEO of Bark Matt Meeker said. "We are excited to expand Bark Air's service to new cities and through new routes, accommodating customer demand and bringing our unique, stress-free dog-centric travel experience to even more families."
While there are multiple airlines that allow dogs to travel either in the cargo hold or, in some cases, on board, not all airlines permit dogs. Indeed, sometimes animal passengers can cause arguments.
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But with not a crate in sight, Bark Air will provide first-class service for every dog traveler. From meeting fellow canine passengers at the gate and socializing to enjoying a luxurious, stress-free journey for pets and owners.
A personal concierge service will ensure a smooth journey for your pet and planes are prepared with dog-friendly pheromones, soothing music, and calming colors.
To avoid airport stress, passengers need only to arrive an hour before takeoff, and onboard they'll enjoy snacks, drinks, treats and toys.
Getting here hasn't been smooth sailing for Bark, which faced a legal challenge from Westchester County shortly after their first flight in May. The county alleged that Bark Air violated local airport regulations by operating its Gulfstream Aerospace GV jet, equipped with 14 seats, from the private jet section of Westchester County Airport.
County rules permit only jets with nine or fewer seats in this area. Westchester County sought an injunction requiring Bark Air to relocate to the busier passenger terminal or cease operations at the airport.
But the lawsuit was resolved on June 10 when both parties reached a settlement. Bark Air agreed to limit its human passenger seats to a maximum of nine per flight, allowing it to continue operating from the quieter section of Westchester County Airport without further disruption.
Now available for booking, flights allow jet-setting pooches and their owners to travel between Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, Phoenix, and San Francisco on the airline.