BARK Air revolutionizes pet air travel globally

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Earlier this week, BARK, a company focused on canine products and services, announced the launch of BARK Air. Described in a press release as the “world’s first air travel experience designed primarily for dogs, with their human companions considered secondarily,” BARK Air aims to revolutionize how pets and their owners experience flying. This announcement was first reported by PEOPLE.

The service will initially connect the New York City metro area from Westchester County Airport (HPN) to the Los Angeles area via Van Nuys (VNY) and London through Stansted Airport (STN). The press release highlighted that an Argus Platinum-rated charter company would handle all responsibilities related to aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, while BARK focuses on delivering a top-tier air travel experience tailored for dogs and their owners.

Upon booking a flight online, travelers will be contacted by a BARK Air concierge who will collect details about the dogs and their travel plans. On the day of departure, pets and their owners are expected to arrive at the airport between 45 to 60 minutes before takeoff. Here, dogs will have the opportunity to interact with other canines while their owners enjoy meals prepared by onsite chefs.

Further details provided by the release indicate that BARK Air concierges will assist the dogs in settling into their flight experience by promoting socialization and preparing dog-centric cabin environments. The service will include calming treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, and calming jackets to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable journey for the pets. Throughout the flight, dogs will be treated to BARK-branded treats and snacks, and beverages will be served during ascent and descent to prevent ear discomfort due to cabin pressure changes.

Matt Meeker, co-founder and CEO of BARK, expressed that since the company’s inception in 2011, their mission has been to innovate in the dog space by creating products that cater to both dogs and their owners. He emphasized that BARK Air represents a significant step in fulfilling this mission by providing an experience that prioritizes dogs’ needs from the ground to the skies. He believes that this initiative will not only enhance the brand’s visibility but also connect more dog lovers to the BARK family and improve the lives of dogs and their owners globally.

Echoing these sentiments, Zahir Ibrahim, BARK’s CFO, mentioned that this initiative is expected to increase awareness of BARK’s mission cost-effectively, with the flexibility of chartering flights during peak demand times. He also anticipated that the increased traffic to BARK.co would promote their full range of offerings, benefiting the company’s core business in the long term.

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