Newly established luxury airline for dogs faces lawsuit after its first flight

Looks like BARK Air's first trip hit a 'ruff' patch. Just days after its inaugural flight last May 24, the first airline for dogs was sued.

In a report by Fox 5 New York, Westchester County filed a lawsuit against the airline on May 30 for using a plane too big for the airport's private jet section.

Bark Air, which has been operating out of New York's Westchester County Airport, uses a Gulfstream Aerospace GV jet that caters to 14 passenger seats. Only a jet with nine passenger seats or fewer is allowed in the said airport.

Westchester County is seeking an injunction, which could force BARK Air to either relocate to the passenger terminal or take off from the airport entirely.

A spokesperson from the company told Fortune that they don't comment on legal disputes but also "don't believe this will impact" their operations.

According to pet company BARK, which initially offers dog food and toys, it added air travel offering due to the demand for a "good and convenient" solution for fur parents traveling long distances with their dogs.

"We recognize and believe that life is better—for you and your dog—when you are together," they said on their website. "We partnered with a jet charter company to meticulously build out an in-flight experience from the ground up that is focused solely on the comfort and happiness of the dog first, and human second."

BARK Air has one-way and round-trip flights to and from New York, LA, or London, though additional routes will be introduced later.

In June, a one-way flight from New York to LA costs $6,000 (P349,395), while a flight from New York to London costs $8,000 (P465,995).

BARK Air is "similar to hanging in a dog park, a dog-friendly cafe, or a friend's house." It noted that the layout of the planes "ensures that if you need some alone time, you'll have it."