Airport Tray Aesthetic: Inside the Gen Z TikTok Travel Trend That Has Other Travelers Annoyed
Airport security is often one of the most dreaded aspects of traveling thanks to its long wait times, crowds and stress. Despite this, Gen Z has found a way to give the screening process a rather unique spin all for the sake of social media. Enter: “Airport tray aesthetic.” Keep reading to find out more about this odd TikTok trend from Generation Z and why it has other generations baffled and downright annoyed.
What is the Gen Z travel trend known as the airport tray aesthetic?
Also referred to as the “TSA tray aesthetic” by Americans, this trend adds a rather peculiar twist to the dreaded security line. While many travelers quickly toss their belongings into the trays so the items can be screened, some have gone out of their way to arrange the items in an aesthetically pleasing way.
Naturally, the extra effort ends up being showcased on TikTok. One user, @_shoppursue, posted a video showcasing how she and her friends set up their trays. The caption reads: ‘POV: you’re determined to get the girls trip aesthetic airport tray photos.’
This can be anything from a designer bag and pretty shoes to the books someone is planning on reading while on a trip. Some even focus on filling their trays with items that match in color to really catch the eye.
Why is the airport tray aesthetic being done?
How did this start? According to Screenshot, TikTok user @pipertaich began sharing various tray compositions on the social media app, citing that it was all about “expressing yourself and having fun.” She even enjoys the process so much that she now recreates the experience at home using gray trays she had purchased.
Unsurprisingly, other young social media users have jumped on the trend as a way to showcase yet another aspect of their lifestyle. “This phenomenon is an evolution of #foodstagram and aesthetically pleasing foodie pics posted online, where curated food displays signaled a certain lifestyle and sense of taste.,” J’Nae Phillips, senior insights editor at Canvas8 told The Guardian. Security tray photos go one step further than this, blending the thrill of travel with conspicuous consumption, allowing people to construct and broadcast their aspirational identities in a way that feels current and fresh.”
Some have been happy to partake for themselves with the hope that it adds a little pizazz to an otherwise drab part of the traveling experience. Others have been far more opposed to the idea. (Looking to travel soon? Find out why the mystery vacation trend may be right for you!)
What are people saying about the airport tray aesthetic?
While Gen Z influencers appear to be loving this new concept, others could not be more unhappy with it. Though not all who participate in the trend are doing so in the middle of the TSA line, it has become more common. TikTok user @natbco posted a video talking about the airport tray aesthetic and even asked a TSA spokesperson if there were issues with it.
When she asked for thoughts from followers, people certainly didn’t hold back — especially those who were appalled by yet another way to slow down the security process. “If someone does this in Atlanta airport I’m going to scream! Have you seen the line? No ma’am do not hold up my line for a photo,” commented @kqueen919.
A similar sentiment was expressed on a video when someone showed off her own airport tray. “Airport security is busy enough as is - this trend needs to die,” wrote one user. (Click through to read more about another travel trend: grocery store tourism).
Others found it to be an equal mix of amusing and sad, with some suggesting that it isn’t something any person should be putting the least bit of concern into. On the same video, user @kira_with_a_k commented, “What? Who gives a toss about what’s in someone’s airport tray! Is this what society has come to?”
Though the trend hasn’t been discussed much outside of TikTok, articles about it have been shared on X (formerly Twitter). Naturally, the feedback was negative.
When the New York Post tweeted their story on the topic, users on the platform didn’t hold back and happily bashed the TikTok platform as a whole. Although mistaken about the generation behind the trend, one X user (@J_Stizzy1124) shared his disapproval with one word: “Millennials.”
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