The way we live now... the airline for jet-set pets

Bark Air, a new carrier dedicated to dogs and their owners, aims to alleviate the stress of flying with pets, says Lebawit Lily Girma on Bloomberg. Dog owners can now book flights on private jets, with dogs allowed in the main cabin. Bark Air, created by Bark Inc, the company behind BarkBox, a subscription service for dog products, will operate once-weekly flights from New York to Los Angeles and twice monthly from New York to London, using secondary airports. Fares start at $6,000 one way for US flights and $8,000 one way for transatlantic flights. The airline plans to limit bookings to ten people to ensure adequate space for pets. Pre-departure calls assess the furry passengers’ temperaments and concierges ensure all required vaccines and paperwork are in order.

On board, a canine-specific menu is available, including dog “Champagne”, as well as quick clean-up for pet messes. Bark Air plans to install replaceable carpet tiles and create an onboard play area. It hopes to cater to all pet owners, including those who own cats and rabbits, and build on programmes by other private airlines, such as VistaJet, which saw pet travel surge 86% from 2019 to 2021. While some industry analysts are sceptical about its profitability, Bark Air aims to engage its 2.3 million BarkBox subscribers and potentially grow its subscriber base. “We’ll find out if this is a service that the world wants and values,” says Bark’s CEO Matt Meeker. “If not, we’re going to have a heck of a time finding out.”