BARK Air is the world’s first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first, and their human companions second, enabling them to travel together comfortably and conveniently. Premium flights for dogs (and their humans) are available for booking, with the first flights taking off from New York on Thursday, May 23.
For anyone who has or has had reservations about putting your dog under your seat, or in the cargo hold, as you travel now has an alternative.
BARK Air exemplifies BARK’s dog-first mentality and award-winning customer experience, setting a new standard for dogs who love to travel but have been forced to settle for less-than-ideal traveling conditions.
"When we started BARK in 2011, we were on a mission to disrupt the dog space and create products designed for dogs and their humans. 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. "We believe this initiative will elevate awareness of our brand’s mission and values, introduce more dog lovers to the BARK family, and help enrich the lives of dogs and their people around the world."
BARK Air has taken the white glove experience typical of a human’s first-class experience and redirected all that pampering to pooches – from booking to arrival, to in-flight services and disembarkation, dogs will truly be the VIPs and treated to a positively luxurious, curated experience.
- Following booking, humans will be contacted by a BARK Air concierge to collect information about each dog and their human’s travel plans to ensure the best possible experience.
- On travel day, dogs and their companions will arrive at the airport 45 to 60 minutes before takeoff for a simple, efficient check-in process where dogs can meet other furry friends on their flight while their people are treated to meals prepared by onsite chefs – no crates, stressful TSA checkpoints, or screening.
- Before boarding, a highly skilled BARK Air concierge will welcome dogs at the gate to help them settle into their experience through socialization and dog-centric cabin preparation. The BARK Air concierge will also evaluate each dog to ensure they are enjoying their experience and adapting to the new environment and if additional attention and care is needed prior to boarding or once on board.
- Also prior to boarding, the plane will be treated to a "Dogs Fly First" flight prep with calming pheromones, music, and colors that pups prefer. All furry passengers will have access to various aids such as calming treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, and calming jackets to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable flight.
- Once onboard, dogs will be served their beverage of choice during ascent and descent to ensure they do not experience any ear discomfort commonly caused by changes in cabin pressure. Additionally, a variety of BARK-branded treats, snacks, and surprises will be provided throughout the flight with the intent of pampering furry passengers and their humans.
Flights are now available for booking at DogsFlyFirst.com, though they won't come cheap. A one-way trip cross-country for dog and owner will initially cost $6,000, while one-way from New York to London will cost $8,000. Here's more: