For many dog lovers, the idea of traveling by plane with your four-legged friend is a forbidden dream. Between restrictions, costs and complicated logistics, we often end up giving up or entrusting our pet to relatives and friends. But what if we told you that from today there is an alternative that transforms the stress of traveling into an experience of pure pleasure for your dog? It's called BARK Air and it is the first airline entirely dedicated to dogs (VIPs) and their humans.
No more cages in the hold or forced separations: on board, your dog will be treated like a true king (or queen), with cuddles, treats and every kind of comfort. A daydream, right? For now reserved for a lucky few, however. I repeat one word, also stated in the title: VIP dogs. Let's find out why.
Welcome aboard, Fido and company
Imagine the scene: you are at the airport, ready to embark for your holidays. Instead of saying goodbye to Fido with tears in your eyes before handing him over to the stewardess, you keep him on a leash as you calmly head to the gate. Yes, you understood correctly: on BARK Air, your dog travels with you in the cabin, not in the hold!
Once on board, a steward welcomes you with a toothy smile (about ten of which are hairpieces, but let's not be picky) and a bowl of kibble. For Fido, of course. Your turn is the usual bag of peanuts. It doesn't matter, because the attention here is all for our VIP dogs.
While you sit in your armchair (strictly in the second row, the first is reserved for quadrupeds), Fido enjoys his gourmet meal. Chicken, beef or salmon? Take your pick, as long as you're not envious. And for dessert, no stale biscuits, but delicious bone-shaped cupcakes. Which class!
Turbulence? No, just wagging tails
BARK Air's surprises don't end there. During the flight, Fido can roam freely around the cabin, make friends with other dogs and even enjoy a luxurious spa complete with massage and haircut. No more travel stress: here dogs relax more than their owners!
What if your four-legged friend had a "physiological" emergency? No problem: the crew is trained to clean up any “disaster” discreetly and quickly. Sure, you might end up with a chewed up shoe or a jacket full of hair, but those are the minor inconveniences of traveling with a dog. The important thing is that he is happy (and live long), no?
Oh, I almost forgot: on BARK Air there are no size or breed restrictions. Whether you are the proud owner of a Chihuahua or a Great Dane, you are welcome aboard. As long as your dog does not occupy more than three seats, otherwise you will have to pay a supplement.
And now, the sore point. Remember when I said “VIP dogs”?
Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it partly is. Because for how long the idea by BARK Air is brilliant, it is currently only accessible to a lucky few. The reason? The prices, which to define as "first class" is an understatement.
For a one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles, you will have to shell out a whopping $6.000. And if you want to do the grand tour with a stop in London, Get ready to write an $8.000 check. Basically, with that amount you could buy a purebred puppy, take him out to dinner and pay for his university education.
Of course, the creators of BARK Air promise that prices will drop in the future, thanks to economies of scale and various optimizations. But for now, unless you are a scrooge with a thing for dogs, you will have to resign yourself to the usual "human" flights. Or at most, invest in a nice new leash for walks in the park.
The future is on all fours
Don't despair, Monica (she's my colleague who is reluctant to fly so as not to leave her dog in the hold): BARK Air is only just beginning, and who knows, maybe in the future it will truly revolutionize the way we travel with our four-legged friends . After all, the love for dogs is universal, and the demand for such a service seems to be there.
There is already talk of new routes, starting with a New York-Paris connection in the autumn. And the company is collecting requests for other destinations, with an eye on "dog-friendly" destinations. Who knows, maybe in a few years we will actually be able to go on holiday with Fido by our side, without stress or guilt.
In the meantime, let's keep dreaming. And to envy those few, very lucky dogs who are currently enjoying a succulent stew at ten thousand meters above sea level, while their owners chew a skimpy sandwich. Blessed are they, one might say. Or maybe, lucky their wallets.
