Fluffy friends may board first

Memorial Day travel may be heating up for humans, but some are rushing to book a highly exclusive flying experience—for dogs.

Bark Air, launched by the pet toy company Bark, is a first class luxury flying experience specially designed for pooches to be comfortable while traveling high in the sky.

The company’s first sold-out flight departed New York to Los Angeles on Thursday, and Bark Air says demand for its new airline is already surging for the month of June.

But flying your furry friend in first class accommodations across the country will cost you. One ticket for your canine companion—and you—is priced at $6,000, while a ticket from New York to London costs $8,000.

What makes flying a chihuahua worth more than multiple months of New York rent, besides a super cut photo op? The company said that dogs on board will be able to socialize, will be offered treats, beverages, and even noise-canceling ear muffs.

“Every single detail of this flight experience has been crafted with a ‘dogs-first’ mindset,” the company wrote on Instagram.

Airlines already have a low-margin business, so how much profit the company will actually see from this endeavor is unclear. Maybe they’ll just keep showing us heartwarming videos of dogs socializing at 30,000 feet.

Hopefully turbulence doesn’t make it a ruff takeoff.—LB