SkyMall Files for Bankruptcy, Hopes to Sell off Name and Business

SkyMall, the in-flight catalog company that specializes in selling things that nobody needs, has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection.

“We are extremely disappointed in this result and are hopeful that SkyMall and the iconic ‘SkyMall’ brand find a home to continue to operate as SkyMall has for the last 25 years,” said Scott Wiley, CFO and Acting CEO of Xhibit, of which SkyMall is a subsidiary.

Xhibit Corp. purchased SkyMall in early 2013, and merged it into its existing marketing software and digital advertising company. Although it was most known for its seat-back presence, most of SkyMall’s business was online. According to the bankruptcy filing, “The Debtors also intend to promptly seek approval from the Bankruptcy Court for a sale process to sell the SkyMall online retail business and substantially all other assets.”

It was active on social media, including a popular Instagram feed that highlighted products while acknowledging the humor inherent in the product.

As the author of Gadling.com’s “SkyMall Mondays” feature (archives here), Mike Barish became one of the world’s foremost experts on SkyMall. He had only a few public word for its passing.