The owner of SkyMall鈥攖he in-flight magazine filled with vaguely useful items鈥攈as . It may be hard to imagine a catalog ever succesfully selling an 8-foot by 10-foot (), a that looks like a ’65 Volkswagen bus, or an , but the company was valued at $200 million as recently as 2013 and . So what caused the decline? Analysts explain that the company’s formerly captive audience of listless passengers have been . (Surely filled with much聽.)
Chief Financial Officer Scott Wiley of SkyMall鈥檚 parent company Xhibit wrote in a legal declaration filed with the bankruptcy, 鈥淭he substantial increase in the number of air carriers which provide Internet access, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s recent decision to allow the use of electronic devices during take-off and landing, resulted in additional competition from e-commerce retailers and additional competition for the attention of passengers, all of which further negatively impacted SkyMall’s catalog sales.”
Perhaps just as bad鈥擠elta stopped carrying the publication in November and Southwest announced in December it would by April 1. The business generated approximately $33.7 million of revenue in 2012, but only $15.8 million for the nine months that ended September 28, . Despite emphasizing their online presence in 2014鈥攁nd in 2013 creating a humorous (and addictive) 鈥攖he filing claims they were to run out of capital to pay employees and vendors. The company will maintain pared-down operations until assets from the business towards the end of March.
As a salute to the many hours we’ve sat captivated by the abject randomness that filled the pages of Skymall, here are some our favorite items that we may or many not have secretly coveted.
Bigfoot Garden Yeti Statue ($2,250 for “Life Size”)
Nick Kelley, Editorial Assistant
I look for every time I get on the plane and it seems to make every issue. I always wonder how many they’ve actually sold and if that number matches up with the people that buy it and throw it away the first night it scares them.
Reloaded Micro Kickboard Carry-On Luggage Scooter ($350)
Hannah Weinberger, Editorial Assistant
No need to wait for fellow passengers to deplane when you can simply . Race airport carts for extra style points. It also comes in a Bluetooth speaker, Steve Aioki-branded version!
Peyton Manning Photo ($200)
Mary Turner, Deputy Editor
I want the , because he’s the man and I wish he were in the Super Bowl this year so if he retires he could go out with a bang.
Anything from the Pet Section
Jonah Ogles, Associate Editor
I’d like to go ahead and give general praise of their ,聽because that shit is useful. , the for dogs, dog beds, dog platforms, car partitions, dog gates鈥擨 have used all of them, and they are all practical and stylish.
Night Riderz Lighted Zipline ($200)
Erin Berger, Web Producer
This actually, and I say that without any irony. Ignore the fact that 100 percent of the reviewers bought it for their “grand kids.”
Mustache Glass Mirror ($15)
Erin Beresini, Associate Online Editor
So I saw this in Skymall once (it鈥檚 not there now), then I bought it somewhere else when I got home. I might be the reason they’re bankrupt!
Seabreacher Customized Boat ($85,000)
Matt Bell, Associate Online Editor
Well, who among us hasn鈥檛 wanted to ?
Tablift Hands-Free Tablet Holder ($60)
Greg Thomas, Associate Online Editor
I’ve been quietly contemplating buying the on every flight I’ve taken in the past two years. Each time I board my plane and squish myself into my seat, there it is: the Tablift, staring back at me, beckoning. Its expertly constructed quadropod frame may appear to some like a creepy metal spider hovering above your chest while you sleep. But where they see a hindrance, I see liberation. With the Tablift, I can finally fall asleep watching Downton Abbey without worrying that my iPad will slide off the mattress and land in the basin of the foot-soak MassagePed I keep by my bed.聽
Mermaid Swim Fins ($30)
Stephanie Pearson, Contributing Editor
I was always tempted by the . In fact, I think I still need to buy a pair before it鈥檚 too late.
Circulation Improving Leg Wraps ($200)
Fritz Huber, Editorial Assistant
If you squint, it looks like an . Amazing. And only $200.
Two-Person Survival Backpack Kit ($60)
Amanda Eggert, Editorial Fellow
I’m running away from home. I’m taking with me. And my dust mask.
Bug Vacuum ($65)
Bryan Rogala, Video Production Manager
Because . Also great for belly button lint.