Bark Air, the dog-centric airline with a memorable catchphrase “Dogs Fly First” partnered with a jet charter company in the US to provide the first flights designed for dogs. The flight took off on 23rd May, 2024 from New York at 4:00 pm, marking a significant milestone in the way animals, particularly dogs, are transported through the air. USA Today, said that the event highlighted how the flight showcased that every passenger onboard the flight was a VIP- a Very Important Pup.
Details of the first air-travel experience designed for dogs
This historic flight that took off from the Big Apple landed in Los Angeles. The private jet that Bark Air operates for this flight is the Gulfstream G5. All the responsibility related to maintenance, crew, and aircraft will be handled through a partnership between the airline and an Argus Platinum-rated charter company. Although this flight can fit 15 dogs, the airline doesn’t operate with full passenger capacity as the company recognizes the importance for animals to roam around.
Some of the interesting facts related to Bark Air’s services, as reported by its website include:
- The domestic flight costs $6,000 flight and $8,000 for a one-way international flight. The charge covers both them and their dog.
- Domestic flights available from the New York City metro area via Westchester County Airport (HPN) to the Los Angeles area via Van Nuys (VNY) and international flights to London, England via Biggin Hill (BQH).
- Each passenger must be at least 15 years old, so kids are not allowed (for now).
- In case the dog needs the company of more than a single individual, additional tickets are available.
The airline captured the emotions during the flight in the following way:
“Right now, at an altitude of 30,000 feet, there is a flight filled with dogs. Unlike any flight before it, these dogs are not merely an afterthought, nor are they treated as cargo or a burden to the crew and fellow travelers. Here, dogs are the foremost priority. Every single detail of this flight experience has been crafted with a ‘dogs-first’ mindset. It has taken 10 years, but we are finally confident that we can provide all dogs with the air travel experience they deserve: one that puts them first. We could not be more excited to finally be able to welcome your dog (and you) on board.”
How does the boarding, and de-boarding of dogs take place on Bark Air?
After the booking for the flight has been made, the airline is contacted by a concierge of BARK Are who gathers the necessary information about each dog and their accompanying humans. After the dogs have arrived at the airport, the concierge also helps the dogs with a dog-centric cabin preparation. The concierge also oversees whether the dogs are enjoying their experience and whether additional care is needed.
The traveling dogs and their companions need to arrive at the airport around 45 to 60 minutes before takeoff for check-in. The check-in is simple and efficient as there are no TSA checkpoints, no crates nor are there any stressful screening. During this time, the dogs meet other canines while the people traveling with them are treated to meals prepared by onsite chefs.
Some other perks that dogs enjoy before, during, and after their flight include:
- A “Dogs Fly First” flight prep with calming pheromones, music, and colors that pups prefer.
- Noise-canceling earmuffs, and calming treats and jackets.
- Beverage of choice of the dogs during ascent and descent
- BARK-branded snacks and treats.
The official words from Bark Airlines:
Matt Meeker, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at BARK, said:
“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..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.”
A few decades ago, it would have been almost impossible to imagine dogs taking to the skies as air travel was only available to a select group of wealthy individuals. It was the introduction of what was to be later known as a Sherpa Bag by Gayle Martz that made traveling with dogs safer and hassle free. The airline now offers a chance for dogs to fly without the cloak of a travel bag – novelty in its own right. BARK CFO Zahir Ibrahim commented:
“ We believe this initiative will raise awareness of BARK’s mission in a cost-effective manner,..Given we are not committed to booking flights far in advance, we have a lot of flexibility to opportunistically charter flights during times of high demand. In parallel, we believe the additional traffic to BARK.co will raise awareness of our full offering, benefiting our core business in the long term.”
Documents needed for dogs and humans for the Bark Air Flight
Different documents are needed for humans as compared to those for animals. While humans are required to have a valid identification, dogs need to:
“have up-to-date vaccination records. If you don’t know what a vaccination is, it’s best not to ask. Our crew will reach out to your human after they book the flight to gather additional information about your size, any allergies, and your socialization preferences.”
The required documents might be different for international travel though:
“International destinations require documents certifying rabies vaccination records and microchip compliance. When flying to the UK, they require proof of tapeworm treatment before taking off. Our BARK Air Concierge will reach out to you to guide you through the process.”