Local pups can now fly fur-st class with BARK Air out of Westchester County Airport.
Tickets sold out for the world’s first luxury airline flight for dogs from Westchester to Los Angeles at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Traveling with dogs is usually a hassle depending on each airline’s travel policies. Some airlines have even come under fire in recent years for their treatment of furry companions, whether they’re small lap dogs or bigger dogs forced to ride as cargo.
However this airline, created by dog toy brand BARK, partnered with a jet charter service to transport man’s best friend and their owners “in comfort and style” for a stress-free flight, said CEO Matt Meeker in a video about the airline from Reuters.
The company said on its website that it takes the “white glove experience typical of a human’s first-class experience and redirected all that pampering to pooches.”
“We are excited to take the insights we’ve learned over years to create an experience that is truly dog-first, which is drastically different from just accepting dogs – from the ground to the skies,” Meeker said in a news release Wednesday.
Where does BARK Air travel and how much does it cost?
Flights are currently available from Westchester County Airport to Biggin Hill Airport in London and Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles.
A “white paw” experience may even be an understatement. As of its first flight, a ticket for a dog and their human is at least $6,000 one way for domestic flights and $8,000 for international flights.
BARK Air passengers can also skip TSA screenings in favor of a simple check-in process, dogs are able to mingle with their fellow passengers before the flight and humans will be served a meal cooked by chefs at the airport.
What amenities does BARK Air feature?
The airline said flight attendants are also trained to handle dogs and their needs while adjusting to the travel experience. A “Dogs Fly First” routine at the beginning of the flight will include calming music, scents and colors that cater to quell canine anxiety and pups will be provided with noise cancelling earmuffs, anxiety jackets and all the treats they can imagine.
During takeoff and landing, dogs can also sip on their own fancy beverage that will help their ears adjust to cabin pressure. Meeker said dogs will even be treated to a spa experience 3,000 feet in the air. No cages to be seen on a Bark Air flight. Dogs are free to sit on the seat, a bed or even their owner.
In case of a bathroom emergency, Bark Air will have designated areas for pups to do their business before the flight and emergency pads during the flight.
Bark Air said 15 dogs and their humans are welcome on each flight, but it never sells more than 10 tickets per flight in order to give the pups space to roam. Children are also not allowed to accompany their furry friends on the flight. Each passenger must be at least 18 years old.
For more information about tickets and documents for a Bark Air flight, visit the airline’s website.
Includes reporting from USA TODAY.
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