We had to check this wasn’t an April Fool’s prank, but it appears that Bark Air, a transatlantic charter airline designed for pampered pooches is real. For US$8,000, a dog can travel on a chartered Gulfstream G5 between London and New York or Los Angeles, with more routes due to follow.
No crates, the dogs simply turn up at a private airfield (Biggin Hill (BQH) for London, Westchester County Airport (HPN) for NY, and Van Nuys (VNY) for LA), enjoy socialisation at the gate, and settle into the cabin.
The inflight experience includes calming aids such as pheromones, treats, music, warm lavender scented refreshment towels, and other comforts. Even better, each dog can take their chosen human with them, included in the fare (and they will be given free poop bags). With only 10 dogs and human tickets per flight, there is room for comfort.
During ascent and descent, the canine passengers will be served their beverage of choice (from a menu of water, bone broth, and more), to ensure they do not experience any ear discomfort commonly caused by the change in cabin pressure.
The video is clearly a little tongue in cheek, but Bark Air is coming. There’s an incentive for dogs to be good boys and girls.
Bark Air is being set up by Matt Meeker, the co-founder of BARK, the company behind the BarkBox monthly subscription service providing dog products, services, and experiences.
