Bark (Air) or bite: Cat fight over dog flights
Bark Air, the canine-centric airline that recently launched a scheduled charter flight service for pups and their people, is facing legal trouble just weeks after takeoff. The airline, in partnership with jet charter company Talon Air, offers flights between New York’s Westchester County Airport (HPN) and destinations like Los Angeles and London on 14-seat Gulfstream jets.
However, the county is now suing both Bark Inc. and Talon Air because the flights depart from the airport’s private jet area, in violation of county law. The law mandates that both chartered and commercial airlines using aircraft with more than nine seats must use HPN’s six-gate commercial terminal.
While several other air charter companies have challenged the county law in federal court, arguing that federal laws preempt those imposed by the county, no judgment has been made yet. The situation could escalate, but a Bark spokesperson remains optimistic, stating, “Bark doesn’t comment on litigation. But we don’t believe this will impact our operations.”
Despite the legal challenges, Bark Air successfully completed its first flight to London last week and has released its full schedule through winter, including flights to Los Angeles, London, and Paris from Westchester. The future of the airline hangs in the balance as the legal battle unfolds, but for now, Bark Air is determined to keep flying high.