AssetID: 53802177
Headline: ‘Dogs First’ Airline Takes Inaugural Flight
Caption: Earlier this month, a new airline catered specifically to dogs took its first flight. Bark Air’s Gulfstream G5s plane took off on 23 May from New York, with its first pup-and-owner passengers onboard. The aircraft fits 10 dogs of all sizes inside, along with their human companions. “What we say is first class for the dog, business class for the human,” Bark CEO and co-founder Matt Meeker told RobbReport. “What we’ve seen is if our primary focus is making the dog happy, then the human will be very happy.” Before flying, a Bark Air concierge reportedly liaises with the humans about their dog. Then, the dogs can all play together pre-boarding. To ease the dogs’ flight anxiety, soothing music is played through the cabin speakers and lavender-scented towels are provided. Bark provides their own branded treats, as well as “doggie Champagne” (chicken broth) and “barkaccinos” (cups of whipped cream). “The first order is to reduce the stress and anxiety for the dog,” Meeker insisted. “The dogs made it their own flight. They took over and they started sitting in the chairs and it was so magical. “They just mixed and matched, and people fell in love with other people’s dogs.” Chef David Burke creates meals for the humans from the airport, and people-friendly snacks and drinks are available during the flight. Bark Air’s first-announced flight paths were New York to London and New York to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles flight costs $6,000 (£4,700) for a human and a dog, while the London flight costs $8,000 (£6,300). With over 15,000 submissions from customers who’d like to see more routes, the company is reportedly considering Paris, Chicago, and Florida as their next destinations. “In the first month or so here, we’ve sold a good number of tickets,” Meeker gushed. “And to some notable people that you would assume could charter the whole jet, but they’re choosing this.” In a press release, Bark Air argued that their luxury flight afforded a more accessible and humane solution to those who needed to travel with their pets. “Traveling long distances with a dog is a challenge many dog parents face, particularly for those dogs that don’t fit into a carrier that can be placed under the seat in front. Too often, dogs are denied travel, confined to a duffle bag, or endure the stress of flying in cargo,” the company’s official statement posed. “Recognizing these challenges, and the increasing demand for an accessible solution, BARK Air presents a more fun – and humane – option for dogs traveling with their two-legged human companions. BARK Air exemplifies BARK’s dog-first mentality and award-winning customer experience, setting a new standard for dogs who love to travel but have been forced to settle for less-than-ideal traveling conditions.”
Keywords: photo, feature, photo feature, photo story, dogs, airline, new york, first class, luxury
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