Ever thought of an airline just for our furry four-legged friends? Well, it’s a reality now!
After watching a viral reel from BarkAir, YouTuber Hangtime decided to try the dog-friendly airline with his loyal pup, Cedric.
BarkAir is specially designed to make flying more comfortable for dogs. Unlike traditional airlines where dogs are often cramped in crates, cargo holds, or under seats, BarkAir ensures a far better experience for our pets.
The idea behind BarkAir came from CEO Matt Meeker, who once spent 3.5 hours confined in a crate during a flight to highlight the discomfort pets go through. He described it as an ‘absolute horror show’ and decided to create an airline where dogs are the priority.
And so, BarkAir was born, boasting itself as ‘A 100% totally real airline for dogs.’
However, flying with BarkAir doesn’t come cheap. Hangtime, whose real name is Michael Turk, spent a substantial $6,000 to fly from New York to California.
Since Turk lives in Texas, he had to first take a commercial flight to New York, where Cedric had to endure the uncomfortable foot area.
But, at BarkAir, everything is different.
Turk and Cedric received VIP treatment with a chauffeur ride to the airport and skipped the usual airport security lines. Instead of facing long queues, a single security person checked everyone’s bags, which isn’t too onerous as the flight seats only six passengers along with their dogs.
Both human and canine passengers enjoyed their time in the hangout lounge before takeoff. Dogs were treated to ‘Chumpagne,’ a special chicken broth, while passengers received doggy passports and boarding passes, making for adorable keepsakes.
Once the plane reached cruising altitude, Hangtime shared a tour of the aircraft.
He showcased compartments for phones and wallets, USB charging ports, a fold-out table for food, and a visible cockpit. The bathrooms were also notably luxurious, featuring comfortable seating, relaxing music, and travel toiletries like mouthwash and hand sanitizer.
Pets were pampered with spa treatments including nose balm and paw moisturizer, making sure they were in top shape throughout the flight.
And if you’re wondering about bathroom breaks for the dogs, they have ‘pee-pee pads’ right on the plane.
While not every dog may enjoy soaring 40,000 feet in the air, BarkAir ensures they stay calm with plenty of treats and pampering.