Just days after launching operations, BARK Air, the airline specializing in luxury travel for dogs, has been sued. The lawsuit comes not from an angry dog owner bitten by another dog or disgruntled parents angry they cannot take their child onboard, but from Westchester County in New York.
BARK Air Sued By Westchester County Days After Launch
Bark promises a “semi-private jet experience” in which dogs are welcomed in the cabin like human passengers. Each flight, operated by a Gulfstream G5 jet, is limited to 10 dogs and 10 humans. These aircraft are typically configured for 14-18 guests in the passenger cabin.
But Westchester County claims that BARK Air is operating out of the private jet terminal at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in violation of county law. That law prohibits commercial and chartered aircraft with more than nine seats from using the private jet terminal at HPN in White Plains, New York.
Now, Westchester County is seeking an injunction forcing BARK Air to desist from using the private jet terminal.
Meanwhile, a BARK Air spokesperson refused to comment on the matter beyond a general statement:
“We don’t believe this will impact our operations.”
That could be because Westchester County is currently being sued by three other private jet operators in federal court on the grounds that its airport-use restrictions concerning charter flights violate federal law. Westchester has pushed back, arguing that these public charter companies “are attempting to force airports such as (Westchester) HPN to allow them to fly” from the private jet terminal “and thereby gain a competitive advantage” over “other” commercial carriers.
I don’t think forcing passengers to go through a security checkpoint would necessarily destroy the business model, but it would hurt its ability to price the product at such a current levels ($6-8K one-way). You’re paying now not just for the luxury of taking your dog with you on a flight but also for the luxury of the private jet experience, including showing up later before the flight, avoiding crowds, and skipping security checkpoints.
> Read More: BARK Air – A New Airline Geared Toward Dogs
image: BARK Air
arf … arf .
Some big shot in the private jet terminal complained about all the dog fur wafting in the air , and the snarling .
Why did the airport give them permission in the first place ?
That’s a “ruff” start for them! Hopefully Westchester is more bark than bite.
New York, the Karen capital of the world! Why can’t we just cede that state to the PRC and be done with it. Sticking Xi with AOC would be more effective at destroying their regime than 100 nukes.
Move the Bark operation to TEB (Teterboro)
If you’re going to be with animals, become an animal; Bite him back!
This isn’t fair to the local government officials that get kickbacks and preferential contracts from the airport authority. America is a free market economy, so we need regulations that force small businesses to comply with unnecessary rules that funnel money to elected officials. I hope BARK gets slapped really hard. They have no right to innovate without sharing a piece of the pie with people who have nothing to do with their business.
@AngryFlier: I don’t engage with trolls like you other than to write you’re obviously a bigoted, racist moron.
Can’t wait to see how this stoush plays out.