From Sky to Studio: How a Southwest Captain Turns Galley Boxes into Art

Ever wonder what happens to those metal containers that once held your in-flight snacks and beverages after they’ve served their time in the skies? In the hands of Southwest Airlines Captain Lance Lockhart, they don’t end up in the scrapyard. Instead, they’re transformed, reimagined, and sent back into the—dare we say—Wylde to find new homes.

“It’s like Lego®,” Lance says with a grin, describing how he dismantles and rebuilds these airline galley boxes into striking side tables. “You take the old pieces apart and put them back together in a whole new way.”

That Lego® comparison isn’t just a metaphor—it’s personal. Wyldebyrd Art, his company, is named after his sons, Lucas Wylde and Judah Byrd. Their boundless imagination has shaped the way he approaches his craft.

“My boys, like all kids, see beyond an object’s original purpose,” Lance explains. “To them, a galley box could be a robot, a treasure chest—anything. The possibilities are endless.”

Fatherhood has kept Lance connected to that same sense of wonder. Watching his sons dream up new ideas reminds him to think outside the galley box, so to speak.

That playful spirit is woven into every design, making his workshop feel like the world’s biggest toy chest. And while his tables are practical, they’re also bold, colorful conversation starters—sophisticated yet whimsical, like giant Lego® bricks with a story to tell.

“Every piece I create is part of the legacy I’m building for my sons,” Lance reflects. “I want them to know that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date. Imagination is just as important as mastering your craft.”