SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 14, 2026 – For aviation enthusiasts looking for a gift that goes well beyond a poster or a model kit, MotoArt PlaneTags offers something genuinely different: handmade collectible tags cut directly from the aluminum skin of retired aircraft. The California-based company has been producing them since 2001, sourcing decommissioned planes near Los Angeles International Airport in Torrance and crafting each salvaged panel into a durable memento tied to a specific aircraft. Whether you are a pilot, an avid aviation hobbyist, or simply someone who values owning a traceable slice of aeronautical history, PlaneTags occupy a niche that few products in this space come close to filling.
From Retired Aircraft to Handcrafted Tag
MotoArt PlaneTags operates in Torrance, California, just east of LAX, where the company sources material directly from decommissioned aircraft. Once a plane is retired, the team salvages panels of aircraft-grade aluminum skin and shapes them into collectible identification-style tags. Each tag is linked to a specific aircraft — identified by its tail number or military designation — so buyers know exactly which plane their piece came from. The company describes the process as giving old planes "a second life," turning what would otherwise be scrapped metal into something personal and lasting.
A Wide Range of Aircraft and Price Points
The current catalog covers commercial airliners, vintage military aircraft, helicopters, and general aviation planes. Featured pieces include material from an American Airlines MD-82 (N470AA), a United Airlines A320 (N404UA), a Bristol Beaufort MK VIII torpedo bomber (A9-535), and an F-84B Thunderjet (45-59522). A recent addition covers the USS Midway aircraft carrier — tags made from a watertight door start at $174.95, while a propeller piece is listed from $499.95. Entry-level commercial jet tags begin around $39.95, and most vintage or military pieces fall between $49.95 and $64.95. The store ships worldwide, with free domestic shipping on orders over $124.95.
Personalization, Gifts, and Collector Features
PlaneTags can be ordered as custom luggage tags, making them a practical daily-use item rather than just a shelf piece. The shop also sells PlaneTags Coasters, PetTags, and branded apparel. Digital gift cards are available in $30, $50, and $100 denominations for buyers who want to let a fan choose their own aircraft. A Military and First Responder discount is available at checkout. The brand runs a Frequent Flyer loyalty program and a PlaneTags Logbook feature for collectors tracking their acquisitions. A dedicated community has grown around the hobby through the Tagnatic Facebook group and a Discord server.
Why It Matters
Aviation history typically lives in museums, behind glass, or in documentary footage. PlaneTags changes that by putting verified, traceable fragments of real aircraft directly into people's hands — on their keyrings, luggage, and desks. The salvage-and-craft approach also aligns with a wider consumer interest in upcycled goods with clear provenance, since every tag traces back to a named plane with a documented service history. For pilots and aviation fans, the appeal is the specificity: this is not a generic aircraft-themed product but an actual fragment of a plane that flew real routes or served real missions. That combination of authenticity, traceability, and everyday usability is what separates PlaneTags from standard souvenir merchandise.
Each tag carries a quiet legacy — a small, tangible reminder that the aircraft it came from once crossed skies, carried passengers, and logged years of service before ending up in someone's pocket.