A new trend called the ‘Airport Tray Aesthetic’ is going viral across social media platforms, provoking both attention and backlash.
What is it?
This trend involves travelers using their time at airport security to arrange their belongings in an aesthetically appealing way before snapping a photo to share online.
It was initiated by New York-based influencer Chelsea Henriquez, who shared a step-by-step tutorial on how to find an empty spot and arrange the tray without inconveniencing other passengers. Her video has gained over 377k views since then.
Commonly featured items include neatly placed shoes, vintage sunglasses, makeup, gadgets, reading materials and even toiletries. Blending lifestyle expression and travel documentation, the trend has proved particularly appealing for Generation Z users on Instagram and TikTok, with other users and influencers joining in on the fun.
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According to CNN, brands like Anthropologie and Stackers, a storage solutions company, have also embraced this trend to promote their products.
Backlash: Disrupting Security Lines?
However, the ‘Airport Tray Aesthetic” trend has faced mounting criticism from various groups of people – particularly fellow airplane passengers, who have complained that the practice is inconsiderate of others and leads to considerable delays in security lines.
The New York Post has likewise slammed the ‘time-consuming trend’ as disruption upon the nation’s TSA lines.
Similarly, the UK’s Metro newspaper observed that participating in the ‘the anxiety-inducing trend’ risks you becoming the most hated person in the airport.”
Creators adapt:
Some digital creators have responded to the outrage regarding taking airport tray photos and found ways to not holding up security lines. In addition to Chelsea Henriquez, some individuals like Piper Taich have chosen snap photos of their airport trays at home.
“If you’re asking me what the point of this is, the point of this is that it’s fun and it’s art,” Taich explains in the video.
