Travelling with your dog often limits owners to road trips and dog-friendly hotels. Yes, you can check your pet in as cargo on commercial flights, but for most dogs who have never flown before, the experience can be quite stressful. 

Cue: Bark Air. This new airline, which has just taken off in the US, is specifically designed for dogs and their owners. Owners that are over 18 years of age will now be able to travel with their dogs between New York City and Los Angeles, and on select flights to London.The airline is part of the dog brand Bark, which sells food and accessories for canines. 

So what sets the airline apart from flying a commercial airline with your pet? Before the flight the airline will chat to pet owners about their dog to get a better understanding of their personality and how they can cater to them. Then, before boarding, all dogs are welcomed to a lounge where they will socialise with other dogs on their flight. 

During the flight pups are offered noise-cancelling earmuffs, treats, and beverages of their choice. When it comes to inflight entertainment, squirrel videos are aired on the inflight screens. There’s also a Bark Air dog-training attendant onboard to help settle any four-legged passengers that are nervous flyers. 

Holidaying with your pup does not come cheap though. The cost for a dog and its owner per flight will set traveller back around $9,000 for a domestic fare and $12,000 for an international flight. 

While dogs are allowed to travel on commercial flights in the US, they have to fit in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. So if you have a dog over 10kg you’re unable to travel with them in the cabin. Down Under, animals are strictly forbidden in the carrier and can only travel as cargo. Virgin Australia recently announced plans to start allowing dogs to fly with passengers within a year’s time, if the plan gets regulatory approval. 

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