BARK Air, the world’s first dog-focused airline, took off on its inaugural flight from New York’s Westchester County Airport (HPN) to Van Nuys (VNY) in Los Angeles on May 23, 2024.
The sold-out flight, which used a Gulfstream G5, carried six dogs and 11 humans. One ticket, which includes one dog and one human companion, costs $6,000.
The airline shared details of the inaugural flight on an Instagram post.
“Right now, at an altitude of 30,000 feet, there is a flight filled with dogs. Unlike any flight before it, these dogs are not merely an afterthought, nor are they treated as cargo or a burden to the crew and fellow travelers. Here, dogs are the foremost priority,” BARK Air said.
The airline said it had taken 10 years for the first flight to happen but it was confident it can “provide all dogs with the air travel experience they deserve: one that puts them first.”
American singer and songwriter Josh Groban and his dog George were among the passengers on the inaugural flight.
Groban took to Instagram Stories to say thata most airlines have made it “so insanely difficult” and stressful to travel with pets, so he took the chance to fly with BARK Air when he saw it was available to book. Groban’s video was later shared on X.
BARK Air currently offers one-way and round-trip flights between New York via Westchester County Airport and Los Angeles via Van Nuys Airport, as well as New York and London via Biggin Hill (BQH).
Unlike commercial airlines that allow pets on board with several requirements, BARK Air does not have any restrictions when it comes to size, weight, or breed of the dog.