When a pet parent books a flight, a Bark Air concierge will gather information about their pooch and their travel plans to tailor the service to suit the needs of each dog.
After a hassle-free airport check-in (sans crates or Transportation Security Administration checkpoints), pets and their owners will board the cabin fitted with relaxation aids to calm the dogs – think pheromones, music and lavender-scented towels. Meanwhile, the concierge will be equipped with branded treats, leashes and dog waste bags.
For additional comfort, pooches will be provided with water/bone broth during take-off and landing, which helps to avoid ear pain resulting from a change in cabin pressure.
In partnership with a charter jet company (which organises the aircraft, crew and maintenance), Bark Air currently caters for New York-based pet parents (via Westchester County Airport) with flights to Los Angeles (Van Nuys Airport) and London (Stansted Airport), with new routes to be added soon. Prices start at $6,000 for one owner and their dog between New York and Los Angeles, and at $8,000 between New York and London.
This is a savvy move, considering pet parents worldwide are increasingly keen to travel with their pooches. Other airlines addressing this include American Airlines, which no longer counts a pet carrier as a large personal item for those who want to bring their pet onto the flight, and Virgin Australia, which will soon allow pets on select flights.
