Unique & Nostalgic Plane Skin Keychains - Perfect Aviation Gifts

The Popularity of Plane Skin Keychains

Plane skin keychains have become an increasingly popular souvenir and gift item for travelers and aviation enthusiasts alike. These unique keychains are made from the retired skin of real commercial airplanes, giving them a cool backstory that many find intriguing. As more and more iconic planes get retired from major airlines around the world, the available skins used to create these acrylic keychains continue to grow.

Where to Find Plane Skin Keychains

Plane skin keychains can be found in airport gift shops, aviation museums, pilot shops, and even some specialty online retailers. However, the best place to find them is often at the airports the planes once served. For example, if you're traveling through the Denver International Airport, you might find keychains made from the real skins of old United and Frontier planes that used to fly Denver routes back in the day. The airline connection makes them the perfect keepsake for travelers.

Popular Plane Skin Keychain Designs

Some planes and airlines tend to make more popular skin keychain designs than others. These include:

• Boeing 747 skins from retiring Jumbo Jets
• Concorde skins from the famous supersonic airliner
• Original American Airlines 747 skins
• Classic Pan Am 747 skins
• Retired Boeing 737 skins from Southwest Airlines

Of course any retired plane can make a cool keychain, but iconic and historically significant airline models tend to be most popular with travelers and aviation geeks.

Why Give Plane Skin Keychains as Gifts?

There are several reasons plane skin keychains make great gifts:

1. They have an intriguing backstory - the idea that the keychain was once part of an actual plane that flew passengers across airports worldwide is almost like owning a piece of history.
2. They appeal to travel lovers since each keychain is connected to a different airline and destination.
3. Aviation enthusiasts and pilots appreciate the vintage airline designs.
4. The acrylic material is lightweight, durable, and eye-catching with the iconic paint colors.
5. They serve as excellent memorabilia for special trips involving a flight.

Plus it feels better to give a unique gift with an interesting story instead of something forgettable. Any traveler is sure to appreciate the thoughtfulness.

Where to Buy Plane Skin Keychains

While airport gift shops should be your first stop when seeking plane skin keychains, not all airports sell them. Some great places to check both locally and online include:

• Pilot shops
• Aviation specialty stores
• Aircraft museums
• Etsy for handmade designs
• eBay for vintage airline skins

You can potentially save some money buying online; however, you miss out on the opportunity to hand-select the specific airline skin design you want. Ultimately part of the appeal lies in which iconic plane and destination is printed on each keychain skin.

Caring for Your Plane Skin Keychain

Made from pieces of real airline skin, plane skin keychains are durable and built to last. However, there are a few tips for keeping yours looking like new:

• Avoid dropping it since acrylic can chip or crack if it lands wrong on a hard surface.
• Keep it away from heat or prolonged sun exposure to prevent fading/warping.
• Clean occasionally with a microfiber cloth and gentle cleaner to remove dirt or grease buildup.
• Consider keeping it in a protective pouch when not in use to prevent scratches.
• Hang it from a keyring, bag strap, or rearview mirror rather than just placing loose in a pocket or purse.

Following these tips will keep your cherished keychain looking pristine for many years, allowing you to always fondly remember the associated travel memories.

The Appeal and Joy of Owning a Plane Skin Keychain

For any aviation lover out there, owning a keychain created from the skin of a retired plane is certainly a joy. Not only is holding an airplane keychain satisfying in an inexplicable way, but it represents an iconic piece of air travel history. Whether you choose a polished chrome Pan Am Boeing 747 or bright green Southwest 737 keychain, enjoy peeking back at another era of aviation each time you reach for your keys.

FAQs

What are plane skin keychains made of?

Plane skin keychains are made from the retired skin of actual commercial airliners. The skin is processed into acrylic material that is lightweight and durable in the shape of a keychain.

Do the keychains come engraved/printed with airline designs?

Yes, the detailed airline paint schemes that were on the planes get engraved or printed onto each keychain. This gives them their iconic and nostalgic aviation designs.

Where can I buy an old Pan Am plane skin keychain?

Vintage Pan Am keychains can be found at some airport gift shops, aviation specialty stores, museums, and websites like Etsy or eBay. Limited edition skins get released whenever another retired Pan Am jet gets turned into acrylic.

Do plane skin keychains increase in value over time?

Yes, especially keychains made from the skin of rare commercial airplanes or iconic/historic airline brands. Out of production skins also tend to increase in resale value on sites like eBay.