If you're a dog parent, you know the pain and the subsequent guilt of separating from your four-legged furry companion, even for a short vacation. But if you think the idea of launching an airline service just for dogs, similar to what humans get in first class, is a joke, you probably never had to fly your pooch anywhere.
Depending on airline policy, options for flying a dog range from bad to worse. At best, a dog will have to spend the entirety of the flight confined in its crate or a duffle bag tucked under your seat. At worst, it will have to fly in the cargo haul, and let's just say that the number of incidents isn't exactly soothing for your peace of mind.
Neither options takes into the account the stress the poor animal must be under, what with altitude pressure changes and being in a situation it did not get the chance to familiarize itself with before the flight. We could argue that dogs aren't meant to fly in the first place (only pigs are, and they too only under special circumstances) but that would negate the very simple fact that some dog-owners will simply not leave home without them.
Bark Air will provide the compromise solution for those not rich enough to charter a private jet just for themselves and their pooch, but still rich enough to fly something else than commercial. It's a middle-way solution but of the fanciest kind.
Photo: Bark Air
Options for pet travel have increased considerably since 2020, but Bark Air is the first offer of its kind: a first-class-like option for dogs, where they will get the ultimate white paws service. Bark is a company that makes dog toys and treats, so when it comes to creating a personalized experience for them, it surely knows a thing or two.
Bark Air isn't a direct carrier but a service that will be offered in partnership with airline operator Talon Air LLC. It's tailored to dog owners who are willing to pay the extra buck to take their pet with them, allowing them to travel with the dog – and other like-minded owners.
Onboard Bark Air, good boys and good girls will get everything from dog champagne (codeword for chicken broth, but presumably served out of crystal bowls), special treats, and soothing accessories to belly rubs at the press of a button and the "first ever in-air dog park." You can almost imagine the mayhem that would come with the realization of that.
Photo: Bark Air
The service will also include color and music therapy, pheromone-scented blankets, and pre- and after-flight special treatment.
This sounds like a belated April Fools prank even for diehard dog people, but it's not: it's an actual service meant to make flying with your dog an enjoyable experience for the both of you. Bark Air will launch in May with flights from the New York metro area to Los Angeles and then to London. Depending on how dog owners will respond to the offering, the plan is to expand the service even further.
The premise is that dogs hate flying, and even more so in an airplane packed with similarly panicking dogs. To counter that, Bark Air service will include a terminal lounge where owners and pets will meet ahead of each flight to socialize and get to know each other while their check-in is being handled. In the air, dogs can get earmuffs, comfort blankets, comfort treats, and other aids that will make the experience more pleasant.
Photo: Bark Air
A Bark Air concierge will handle everything both on the ground and in the air, personally checking with each four-legged passenger to see if they're having as much fun as they should. As the video below shows, dogs can share the seats and the "beds" of their owners onboard – otherwise, what's the point, right?
Bark Air also promises Bark-branded treats, both delicious and highly nutritious, as well as all manners of surprises during the flight. We're still on the verge about whether the "Belly rub" seat button and the special relief area are among the surprises, or they're just possible options included in the ad just to attract attention.
The initial cost of a one-way trip for owner and pet is $8,000, with everything included, so that's $16,000 for a round trip. That's $16,000 for a trip onboard a plane with pooches on the loose and free cuddles, but it's still way cheaper than having to rent a private jet so you could travel with your dog.
Photo: Bark Air
Laugh if you want to, but the wannabe Paris Hiltons of the world are probably lining up for a service like this one. Not the real Paris, though. With a net worth estimated at $300 million, she can afford to rent a private jet for every one of the pets in her large menagerie.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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