A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Flying with a furry friend can be stressful because you just never know how your pet will react on the plane.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
But now there is a private jet service for the discerning dog.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED NARRATOR: Finally, dogs will fly the way they've always deserved to - first.
MARTÍNEZ: Matt Meeker is the CEO of BARK, the company that runs the treat subscription service BarkBox. BARK has partnered with a jet charter service to launch BARK Air to give man's best friend a luxurious seat in the sky.
MATT MEEKER: The plane is a Gulfstream V, so it's nicer than first class by quite a bit. We layer on top of that a BARK experience, which involves things like blankets and pillows for the dogs. And those are covered in pheromones to make them more comfortable. Our treats or snacks for the dogs - some of those are the flavors they enjoy, offering them a menu, different types of water, including dog champagne, which is just chicken broth - so nonalcoholic.
MARTIN: Right now, BARK Air only services flights from Los Angeles, New York and London. But a one-way ticket will cost you - OK, my eyes are watering here, A - at least $6,000.
MARTÍNEZ: (Laughter) And, sure, it's great to be a rich dog if they can afford it. But Meeker does say they are hoping to lower that price eventually.
MEEKER: This is the case with a lot of new things. Like, the DVD player comes out and it's $2,000, and within 10 years it's $200.
MARTIN: And in case you're wondering, there are no plans yet for a flight service for cats.
MARTÍNEZ: Oh, wouldn't that be paw-some?
MARTIN: Oh, that's bad. Sorry, no.
MARTÍNEZ: (Laughter).
MARTIN: All right, A, I would like to know...
MARTÍNEZ: Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
MARTIN: ...What treats would be on your private plane? - because we are in public media, so that is a fictional private plane. But if there were a private plane, what treats would be on yours?
MARTÍNEZ: Well, Michel, I know I give off a lot of PJE - you know, private jet energy.
MARTIN: Yes, you do. You so do.
MARTÍNEZ: But I would never get on a private - I just wouldn't do it. A very famous baseball player once offered me a ride on a private jet, his private jet, and I turned it down 'cause I figure, I'm covering you, man. I can't be on a plane with you if I'm covering you.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
