Aviation art is wall art that pictures aircraft, runways and the sky, and it suits a home office, a den or a hallway as decor and works as a gift for a pilot. Pick a scene the person would recognize, size it to the furniture below it, and order by Thursday, December 10 so it arrives before Christmas.
- Aviation art on CanvasPiece is photography of airliners, runways, silhouettes at sunset and a jet over a world map.
- Size the piece to two thirds to three quarters of the desk, credenza or sofa below it: 40 to 45 inches over a 60 inch credenza.
- The American Society of Aviation Artists was founded in 1986 to promote aviation art as a fine art form, so the genre has an established tradition.
- Panoramic canvas runs from 24x8 to 60x20 inches and suits the long, low shape of a runway or a wing.
- Orders arrive in 8 to 10 business days with Free Shipping, so an order placed by Thursday, December 10 arrives before Christmas on Friday, December 25.
What Is Aviation Art?
Aviation art is artwork whose subject is flight: aircraft in the air, on a runway or in silhouette against the sky. The American Society of Aviation Artists, founded in 1986, describes its aim as promoting aviation art as a fine art form while keeping the technical accuracy the aerospace world expects. The field grew quickly after airplanes were used in World War I.
Today the term covers paintings of historic warbirds and also photographs of modern airliners. The pieces here belong to the second group: photographs of aircraft, runways and sunsets that read as landscapes with a plane in them.
Which Aviation Wall Art Suits an Office or a Den?
A runway at golden hour suits an office, a silhouette suits a den, and a jet over clouds suits a hallway or a study. Pick by mood first. Our aviation wall art collection is the main place to browse.
Aviation Art for a Home Office
A walnut desk and a leather chair pair well with warm tones, so choose a sunset runway or an airliner in golden light. A front-facing airplane on a runway at sunset gives a focal point behind the desk without crowding a screen. For more on workspaces, read our guide to office wall decor.
Aviation Art for a Den or Living Room
A wide silhouette works over a sofa. A golden hour airliner silhouette in panoramic format stretches over 48 or 60 inches and reads as a sky first and an aircraft second, which keeps the room calm.
Aviation Art With Travel and Maps
If the person flies for work or loves to travel, combine flight with geography. A jet over a cloud world map, a wide-body airplane over a Caribbean dusk and suitcases at an airport window all speak to travel more than to engineering. See our travel wall art and map wall art for more.
Is Aviation Art a Good Gift for a Pilot?
Aviation art is a good gift for a pilot because it fits any room and needs no knowledge of their gear. It is also one of the few aviation gifts that does not duplicate something they already own. Choose a scene that matches how they fly: a sunset airliner for someone who flies commercially, a runway view for someone who loves airports.
Pick the finish by room. A Framed Canvas suits an office, a Canvas Print suits a den. The personalized wall art guide has more map-based gift ideas, and our military wall art is the place to look if the person flew for the services.
Pro tip: Ask which airport they trained at, or which route they fly most. A runway or a world map they can trace will mean more than a plane they cannot place.
When Should You Order Aviation Gifts for Christmas?
Order by Thursday, December 10 for Christmas, because pieces are printed to order and arrive in 8 to 10 business days with Free Shipping. Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, December 25, and Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26. Use the steps below to stay ahead.
- Choose the scene by Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26.
- Measure the wall or furniture and pick a size from the table below.
- Choose the finish: Canvas Print, Framed Canvas, Framed Print or Poster Print.
- Order by Thursday, December 10 so it arrives with time to wrap.
- Wrap it flat, and tell the pilot where it will hang.
How Big Should Aviation Art Be in an Office?
Aviation art should span two thirds to three quarters of the desk, credenza or sofa below it, and hang 6 to 10 inches above it. The table shows the nearest sizes the store offers: landscape canvas from 12x8 to 60x40 inches and panoramic canvas from 24x8 to 60x20.
| Furniture | Width | Art width to aim for | Closest sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desk wall | 48 in | 32 to 36 in | 36x24 landscape, 36x12 panoramic |
| Credenza | 60 in | 40 to 45 in | 48x32 landscape, 48x16 panoramic (3 in over) |
| Den sofa | 72 in | 48 to 54 in | 48x32 landscape, 48x16 panoramic |
| Long sofa | 84 in | 56 to 63 in | 60x40 landscape, 60x20 panoramic |
Sizes step from 24 to 30 to 36 to 48 to 60 inches wide, so the 60 inch credenza row runs 3 inches over. On a bare wall that reads well. If a lamp or a shelf crowds the side, step down to 36 inches. Our wall art size guide covers other rooms.
A walnut credenza is 60 inches wide and 30 inches tall. A 48x32 inch landscape is 80 percent of its width, 3 inches past the upper limit of 45. Hang the bottom edge 10 inches above the credenza, at 40 inches. The top is at 72 inches and the center at 56 inches, one inch under the usual 57 to 60 because the credenza is low.
Watch out: A small print over a large credenza looks lost. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one.
Should You Choose Civil or Military Aviation Art?
Choose civil aviation art, such as airliners and runways, for a mixed room, and military aviation art if the recipient served. Civil pieces read as travel and light. Military pieces read as history and are best for a study or a hallway.
A sunset aircraft carrier silhouette is a good middle ground. It is a panoramic scene that reads as a sunset first, so it works even if you cannot name the ship.
Every piece is printed to order and ships free across the US, in four finishes and four shapes. Start with the room and the furniture width.
Aviation wall art Military wall art Travel wall art Map wall art
Quick answers
Common Questions
What is aviation art?
Aviation art is artwork that depicts flight, including aircraft, runways and the sky. It spans paintings of historic warbirds, nose art and photographs of modern airliners. The American Society of Aviation Artists, founded in 1986, promotes it as a fine art form. CanvasPiece offers aviation photographs on canvas and paper.
Who are some of the best aviation artists?
The five founders of the American Society of Aviation Artists in 1986 were Keith Ferris, Jo Kotula, Bob McCall, R.G. Smith and Ren Wicks. Their work is a good place to start if you want historic paintings. For modern photographs of airliners and runways, browse a wall art collection.
What are good aviation gifts for a pilot?
Good aviation gifts include a framed photograph of an airliner or a runway, a world map with a jet crossing it and a panoramic sunset silhouette for the office. Choose a scene tied to the pilot's route or home airport. Order by Thursday, December 10 for delivery before Christmas.
How big should aviation art be above a desk or sofa?
Choose a piece two thirds to three quarters as wide as the furniture. That is 32 to 36 inches over a 48 inch desk and 48 to 54 inches over a 72 inch sofa. A 36x24 inch landscape fits the first, and a 48x32 inch landscape fits the second.
Can you get aviation art in time for Christmas?
Yes, if you order by Thursday, December 10. Pieces are printed to order, and arrive in 8 to 10 business days with Free Shipping on every US order. Christmas 2026 is Friday, December 25, so ordering earlier leaves time for wrapping.
