Between frequent delays, lost baggage, and crazy passengers flying on a commercial airplane can be a stressful experience.
And that doesn’t even begin to touch on the worry many feel when they leave their homes, pets, and other family members behind.
But now this startup airline is making one game-changing move that has Delta and American Airlines shaking in their boots.
Meet BARK Air
Many Americans, who travel frequently, often find themselves having to figure out either how to ensure the pets they’re leaving behind are cared for until they arrive home, or how to travel with them.
The whole ordeal can be a nightmare, and keeps many Americans from even attempting to travel.
But now, dog owners who are looking to travel can breathe a sigh of relief.
BARK Air, a brand-new airline, is offering specialized travel services with the “white paw experience” for pets and owners alike.
The airline will kick off with flights out of New York starting May 23, and promises to provide a “first-of-its-kind experience tailored to dogs.”
Created by BARK, Inc., the airline is owned by the same company that makes BarkBoxes, a monthly subscription service that sends treats and toys to pets.
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at BARK, Matt Meeker, said, “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.”
However, for now, the price for tickets appears to be sky-high.
For its first day in operation, the cost of a one-way BARK Air flight from New York to Los Angeles is $6,000 for a dog and its owner.
Passengers and their dogs will receive a concierge “efficient check-in process” 45 to 60 minutes before takeoff without any crates, screening, or TSA checkpoints.
The flight includes socializing with other dogs while onboard the plane, meals for humans, and calming items for pups like yummy treats, noise-canceling earmuffs, and jackets so every dog experiences a “stress-free and enjoyable flight.”
There will also be beverages, BARK-branded treats, snacks, and more served to every dog on the airplane.
BARK Air service begins with flights from Westchester County Airport located just outside of New York City, Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, and Stansted Airport in London.
Charter company to provide flights
You may wonder exactly who is flying these pet owners and dogs around the globe.
According to BARK, “an Argus Platinum-rated charter company is responsible for all aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance-related matters,” but they did not specify which charter company it is.
Many potential passengers are concerned about the sky-high ticket prices.
BARK Air addressed the pricing in the FAQ section on its website, writing, “Our goal over time is to bring the ticket cost down significantly as we scale.”
Zahir Ibrahim, CFO at BARK, said, “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.”
US Political Daily will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
