Dog-friendly Bark Air coming to Phoenix Sky Harbor

The boutique "dogs first" airline, Bark Air , is coming to Sky Harbor.

Why it matters: At a time when many dog owners are seeking full rights for their pets as family members , airlines are cracking down on their rules for emotional support animals .

Driving the news: Bark Air announced seven new domestic and international routes Wednesday, including between Sky Harbor and Chicago Midway Airport. Service starts Nov. 23.

• Bark Air, which had its first flight last month, is a new service from a 12-year-old public company called Bark that also sells dog food and toys, subscription boxes and doggie dental treats.

How it works: Each flight takes up to nine passengers with their dogs, and an in-flight concierge supplies cushions with pheromones to ease canine anxiety.

• On board, there's a pilot, copilot, flight attendant and the concierge — with the latter two trained in dog CPR and canine de-escalation.
• Yes, but: A one-way ticket for a pup and human companion from Phoenix to Chicago in November costs $6,000.

What they're saying: Bark Air is working to cut the price, Bark founder and CEO Matt Meeker told Axios last month, but he said that the alternatives — which include chartering a private jet or sticking your dog in the cargo hold of a commercial flight — are either more expensive or unappealing.