The world’s first jet charter company where every passenger is a VIP (Very Important Pup) is now up and running.
BARK Airfounded by dog toy maker BARK in partnership with a jet charter service, is a luxury airline for man’s best friend, transporting dogs of all sizes along with their owners “in comfort and style,” CEO Matt Meeker said in a video provided by Reuters giving the public a behind-the-scenes look at the new airline.
“We are here to revolutionize flying for dogs,” says BARK Air on its website.
Tickets for BARK Air’s first flight, departing New York to Los Angeles at 4 p.m. ET, sold out, and flights for the month of June are filling up fast.
Here you can find out everything you need to know about the new airline, including flight prices.
Dogs take part in the first Bark Air flight
BARK Air announced details of the company’s first flight on Thursday in an Instagram post.
“There is currently a flight full of dogs at 30,000 feet. Unlike all flights before, these dogs are not an afterthought, nor are they treated as cargo or a burden on the crew and fellow passengers. Here, dogs are the highest priority,” the company wrote.
BARK Air further stated that the effort has taken ten years, “but now we are confident that we can offer all dogs the flying experience they deserve: one that puts them first.”
One user commented: “This is truly the perfect flight!” Another said: “We are cheering to see this.”
BARK Air prices are not cheap
Pet owners can expect to pay $8,000 for a one-way international flight and $6,000 for a domestic flight that covers both them and their dog.
According to BARK Air’s website, routes will initially serve the New York City metropolitan area via Westchester County Airport (HPN), with flights to the Los Angeles metropolitan area via Van Nuys (VNY) and to London, England, via Biggin Hill (BQH).
What to expect when flying with BARK Air
The company says it has taken the “white-glove experience typical of a first-class experience and transferred all that pampering to the pooches.”
Meeker said airlines do everything they can for the dogs and “try to reduce their anxiety and stress so they have the most comfortable and anxiety-free flight possible.”
Food and water are provided for the dogs and there is “even a spa treatment that takes place in the air,” Meeker said.
BARK Air says a concierge learns a dog’s temperament and sensitivities before the flight to find the best placement on the plane. Dogs are not kept in cages or on leashes, but are free to sit on the seat, their owner, a bed or wherever is comfortable, the company says.
There are designated areas for dogs to do their business before the flight and emergency materials are available during the flight.
How many dogs fit on a plane?
According to BARK AIR’s website, each flight can accommodate 15 dogs and their owners, but no more than ten tickets are sold per flight. The space during the flight is important for the animals’ freedom of movement, the company says.
Although additional tickets are available if more than one person needs to accompany a dog, children are not permitted to fly on BARK Air. Each passenger must be at least 18 years old.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: BARK Air, the world’s first dog airline, takes off. How much will it cost?
