Luxurious Flights for Dogs

By Eoghan Flynn

Catering for the third (33%) of American dog owners who travel by air with their four-legged friends (Forbes Advisor, 2023), US-based dog products company Bark has launched Bark Air – a new travel service centred on providing a premium flight experience for pooches.

When a pet parent books a flight, a Bark Air concierge will gather information about their pooch and their travel plans to tailor the service to suit the needs of each dog.

After a hassle-free airport check-in (sans crates or Transportation Security Administration checkpoints), pets and their owners will board the cabin fitted with relaxation aids to calm the dogs – think pheromones, music and lavender-scented towels. Meanwhile, the concierge will be equipped with branded treats, leashes and dog waste bags.

For additional comfort, pooches will be provided with water/bone broth during take-off and landing, which helps to avoid ear pain resulting from a change in cabin pressure.

In partnership with a charter jet company (which organises the aircraft, crew and maintenance), Bark Air currently caters for New York-based pet parents (via Westchester County Airport) with flights to Los Angeles (Van Nuys Airport) and London (Stansted Airport), with new routes to be added soon. Prices start at $6,000 for one owner and their dog between New York and Los Angeles, and at $8,000 between New York and London.

This is a savvy move, considering pet parents worldwide are increasingly keen to travel with their pooches. Other airlines addressing this include American Airlines, which no longer counts a pet carrier as a large personal item for those who want to bring their pet onto the flight, and Virgin Australia, which will soon allow pets on select flights.

This article was first published on Stylus.com on April 26.