The world's first jet charter company where every passenger is a VIP (a very important pup) is now off the ground.
Park Airlaunched by dog toy company BARK in partnership with jet charter service, is a luxury airline for man's best friend that transports dogs of all sizes and their owners “comfortably and stylishly,” CEO Matt Meeker said in a video. Provided by Reuters Which takes the audience behind the scenes of the new airline.
“We're here to revolutionize flying for dogs,” says BARK Air's website.
Tickets for the first BARK Air flight, which took off at 4pm ET from New York and headed to Los Angeles, have sold out. Flights fill up quickly during June.
Here's what you need to know about the new airline, including the cost of flights.
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Dogs make Bark Air's first flight
BARK Air shared details of the company's maiden flight on Thursday in an Instagram post.
“Right now, at 30,000 feet, there is a flight full of dogs. And unlike any flight before it, these dogs are not just an afterthought, nor are they treated as cargo or a burden on the crew and fellow travelers. Here the company posted that the dogs are Top priority.
BARK Air continued to say that this effort has been 10 years in the making, “but we are finally confident that we can provide all dogs with the air travel experience they deserve: one that puts them first.”
One user commented: “This is truly an amazing ride!” Another said: “We bow down to see this.”
BARK Air prices are not cheap
Pet owners can expect to pay $8,000 for a one-way international flight and $6,000 for a domestic flight covering them and their dogs.
Currently, the routes will serve the New York City metro area via Westchester County Airport (HPN), with flights to the Los Angeles area via Van Nuys (VNY) and London, England via Biggin Hill (BQH). According to the BARK Air website.
What to expect from BARK Air
The company says it has taken “the typical white glove experience of a first-class human experience and redirected all that pampering to the dogs.”
Airlines are doing everything for the dogs, “trying to reduce their anxiety and stress, so they have a more comfortable and fear-free experience on board,” Maker said.
Food and water are provided for the dogs, and there is “even a spa treatment done in the air,” Meeker said.
BARK Air says the concierge will learn your dog's temperament and sensitivities before the flight to get you the best spot on the plane. The company says that the dogs will not be in cages or on a leash, but will be free to sit on a chair, a person, a bed, or anywhere comfortable.
There are designated areas before flights for dogs to use the bathroom, and emergency pads will be available during flights.
How many dogs can the flight fit?
Each flight fits 15 dogs and their humans, according to BARK AIR's website, but it never sells more than 10 tickets per flight. The company says space in flight is important to how animals get around.
Although there are additional tickets available if more than one person needs to accompany a dog, children are not permitted to fly on BARK Air. Each passenger must be at least 18 years old.
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