The Best Gifts for Pilots and Really Anyone Who Likes Aviation

We’ve created this curated list to help you narrow down the ideal present for the aviator in your life. From certified pilots to aviation enthusiasts, there is a unique gift to satisfy every interest.

Have fun browsing these handpicked aviation gifts. Remember, it’s the thought behind the gift that truly matters.

Whether your gift recipient is a pilot or an aviation enthusiast, these gift ideas are sure to put a smile on their face.

Best for: Aircraft models

Midwest Model Store is renowned for its extensive collection of commercial airline aircraft models. The company also offers high-quality scale models of vintage aircraft like the P-51 Mustang and military jets like the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Whether your gift recipient is an airplane collector, aviation enthusiast, or simply appreciates the beauty of these models, Midwest Model Store provides an impressive selection.

Price: $45.99 and up

Best for: Aviation merchandise

Aeroswag offers a variety of aviation-themed products, including phone cases, coffee mugs, stickers, mouse pads, socks, tumblers, and more. Aeroswag even allows you to turn your gift recipient’s favorite airport into customized products like T-shirts, hats, and towels. Whether they’re a pilot, avgeek, or just love aviation, Aeroswag has something personal and unique for everyone.

Price: $4 and up

Best for: Magazine subscription

A FLYING Magazine subscription is an amazing gift for aviation lovers. Each issue is a little collectible, with its high-quality paper, striking visuals, airplane-themed cover, and engaging content. FLYING is committed to bringing its readers the highest quality of aviation information, including daily digital content developed for pilots and aspiring pilots. The magazine offers annual digital and print subscriptions, which also include 12 hard copies and/or digital replicas of the magazine.

Price (per year): Digital only ($29); Print and digital ($45); Bundle  ($149)

Best for: Flight sim PC

If your gift recipient is into tech, then DogHouse Systems and FLYING have you covered with this DogHouse Systems Flying Edition turn-key flight sim rig. Everything needed to get solid performance with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and X-Plane 12 is built into this comprehensive system. Further customization, including added storage, is available for an additional cost.

Price: $4,695

Best for: Aviator smartwatch

The Garmin D2 Mach 1 Pro premium smartwatch features a brilliant 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen display and up to 25 days of battery life. This watch houses a red and white light LED flashlight with multiple levels of intensity. In the air, the watch provides pilots with aeronautical information, such as airport data and direct-to navigation. Pilots can also get aviation weather, flight logging, and pulse oxygen monitoring alongside many other features when they’re on the go. For their life outside of flying, the watch includes 30-plus sports apps, 24/7 health monitoring, and advanced sleep monitoring. It’s like having a flight bag on their wrist.

Price: $1,399.99

Best for: Aviation headset

The Bose A30 offers high-quality performance every pilot appreciates on their flight, including unparalleled comfort, unmatched audio clarity, active noise cancellation, and certified durability. Plus, the headset’s optional Bluetooth interface and tap control for talk-through communication offer versatility for pilots across all cockpits, from general aviation to commercial airline operations. New features also give pilots more control over the headset’s active noise reduction performance, microphone location, and power source.

Price: $1,299

Best for: Flight bag

If your gift recipient has all the pilot supplies but needs a new place to store them, then this Flight Outfitters Lift Bag is perfect. Custom embroidery is available for an additional $9.95 to make the bag distinctively unique, but you should allow up to two additional business days for personalization. This sturdy bag has room for all the pilot essentials and is compact enough to not get in the way while in the airplane.

Price: $99.95, plus $9.95 for custom embroidery

Best for: Aircraft for sale

Aircraft For Sale by FLYING is the most trusted place to buy and sell aircraft, aviation real estate, and aircraft spare parts. If you're seriously considering purchasing an aircraft, Aircraft For Sale has 24/7 customer support, easy financing options, and a wide range of listings to help you navigate a successful transaction. Additionally, if you’re curious about an aircraft’s market value, the PlanePrice valuation tool available on the Aircraft For Sale website offers aircraft insights based on over 4,000 data points.

Price: Varies

We hope you enjoyed browsing this handpicked selection of aviation-themed gifts. Now, have fun shopping. Skip the long store lines and add any one of these unique gifts to your virtual cart before they’re gone.

What gifts do pilots like?

Pilots like both fun and practical gifts. Fun gifts can include an aircraft model, a T-shirt, or a magazine subscription. Practical gifts can include a smartwatch, a headset, or a flight bag.

What to get aviation lovers?

Aviation lovers appreciate plane-themed and aviation-related gifts. From wooden propellers, whiskey decanters, and leather bomber jackets to knickknacks like keychains, bookends, coasters, and neckties, there is a gift for everyone.

What do you get the pilot in your life?

Different gifts cater to different preferences and stages of a pilot’s career. Before you invest in a gift for the pilot in your life, check with them to ensure it will meet their unique needs.