A new airline specifically designed for dogs has encountered turbulence shortly after its inaugural flight. Last month, BARK Air, operating out of New York’s Westchester County Airport, was hit with a lawsuit by Westchester County for violating local laws.
According to legal documents, the airport’s rules allow private jet sections to accommodate up to nine passengers. However, BARK Air uses a Gulfstream Aerospace GV jet that seats 14 passengers.
As a result, Westchester County filed an injunction against the airline, which could lead to BARK Air being dismissed from the airport or moved to a busier terminal.
The airline’s first flight took off from Westchester County Airport to Los Angeles’ Van Nuys Airport on May 24. BARK Air describes itself as “the world’s first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first, and their human companions second.” The estimated price for one person and one dog is roughly $6,000.
The company aims to make the experience as comfortable as possible for dogs, even doing a “pup intake” before the flight to learn about the dogs’ preferences and temperament.
Following the flight, BARK’s Chief of Staff, Katharine Enos, revealed that the trip was a “great success” and free from “dog drama.”
“There were a mix of breeds onboard, including chihuahuas, a golden retriever, and dachshunds,” Enos said. “Happy to report there was no dog drama. Some dogs played in the aisle while the smaller dogs took nice long naps.”
She added,
“All dogs snacked on BARK cereal treats for dogs, dog-friendly cupcakes, chicken-flavored puppuccinos, and doggie champagne (chicken broth). The humans onboard all got along as well and felt connected in their shared obsession with their dogs.”
The company describes itself as the "the world's first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first, and their human companions second."
Currently, BARK Air flies to Los Angeles, London, New York, and England. The airline is exploring the possibility of expanding to other cities such as Paris, Milan, Chicago, Seattle, Florida, and Arizona.
The airline is a subsidiary of BARK, the company that created dog-centered brands such as the subscription service BarkBox.
As per Co-founder and CEO Matt Meeker, the idea has been in the works for over a decade after he was inspired by his attempts to travel with his late Great Dane, Hugo, who always had trouble fitting aboard planes due to his size.
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