Man's best friend will soon be able to get VIP treatment when he takes to the skies.
Earlier this week, BARK, a canine specialty company that provides products, services and content for dogs, announced the launch of “the world's first product designed specifically for dogs first and their human companions second,” according to a press release. BARK Air, an “air travel experience'', was launched by people.
Currently, the route serves the New York City metropolitan area via Westchester County Airport (HPN), to the Los Angeles area via Van Nuys (VNY), and to London via Stansted Airport (STN).
The Argus Platinum-rated charter company “will be responsible for all aspects of the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance,” according to the release. BARK, on the other hand, is “focused on creating and delivering world-class air travel experiences for dogs and their people,” the release states.
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When booking a trip online, users will be contacted by a BARK Air concierge who will collect information about each dog and its human's travel plans.
On the day of the trip, pets and their humans arrive at the airport 45 to 60 minutes before takeoff, and the dogs socialize with other dogs while their owners enjoy meals prepared by local chefs.
Next, the dogs will be met by BARK Air's concierge, who will “help them acclimate to the canine experience through socialization and dog-centered in-flight preparation,” according to the release. A range of aids will also be available, including “calming snacks, noise-canceling earmuffs and calming jackets to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable flight,” the company added.
Once on board, your dog will be provided with BARK-branded treats, snacks, and “surprises” and will be given “preferences during ascent and descent to ensure your dog does not experience ear discomfort commonly caused by changes in cabin air pressure.” drinks will be provided,''' Burke said.
“When we launched BARK in 2011, we were on a mission to transform the dog space and create products designed for dogs and their humans. We're excited to use our insights to create a truly dog-first experience, from ground to sky, that's much different than just hosting dogs,” said co-founder Matt Meeker. CEO of BARK.
“We believe this initiative will help raise awareness of our brand's mission and values, introduce more dog lovers to the BARK family, and enrich the lives of dogs and their people around the world. ” he added.
BARK Chief Financial Officer Zaheer Ibrahim echoed these sentiments in his own statement, saying: Although we do not intend to book flights too far in advance, we have plenty of flexibility to opportunistically arrange charter flights during periods of high demand. ”
“At the same time, we believe that increased traffic to BARK.co will increase awareness of all of our services and benefit our core business in the long term.”