BARK Air Introduces a New Flight Tailored for Dogs
Flying with a dog can be incredibly stressful. From trying to navigate the busy airport to keeping your pup contained in a carrier bag or crate throughout the flight, regardless of how comfortable they are (or aren’t) with flying.
Don’t even get us started on the concerns surrounding larger dogs being placed in cargo!
Whether you’re considering including your dog in your vacation plans or moving across the globe, it’s a source of great stress for many. Ultimately, it’s no wonder many dog parents feel flying with their furry family members simply isn’t worth the risk.
What if there was an airline that not only allowed dogs but also focused on providing your canine companion with the best possible flying experience? Enter BARK Air!
In a recent press release, well-known dog subscription company BARK announced a partnership with a jet charter company to create the “world’s first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first, and their human companions second, enabling them to travel together comfortably and conveniently.”
The dog-first focus of BARK Air starts with your arrival at the airport. Here, your dog gets to avoid the stress of going through TSA checkpoints and screening with their simple check-in process.
While waiting at the terminal, dog passengers have the opportunity to meet with one another while their parents are treated to a delicious meal. This also allows the staff to identify if additional care is needed for boarding or once on board.
As your pup waits for boarding, they are provided with a dog-friendly calming experience, with pheromones, music, and colors all designed to minimize stress levels. If your dog is new to flying or a nervous flyer, they also offer noise-canceling ear muffs, calming jackets, and calming treats to help your pet relax and enjoy their flight.
Onboard, they have carefully considered every aspect of air travel for dogs. For example, they serve all canine passengers their beverage of choice during ascent and descent to help prevent the discomfort often caused by cabin pressure changes.
Of course, during the flight, your pup will be treated to a bit of pampering with dog-friendly snacks.
“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,” explained BARK’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matt Meeker. “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.”
BARK Air will launch with limited routes from New York City’s Westchester County Airport (HPN) to Los Angeles’ Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and London, England’s Stansted Airport (STN).
Dog parents are taking to social media, where the news is going viral, to express their excitement about the announcement.
The first flights will take off on Thursday, May 23. Visit DogsFlyFirst.com for more information about BARK Air, available flights, and booking.
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Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.
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