Generation Z travelers are taking staged, aesthetic photos of their airport trays in a viral social media trend.
The trend — which has been dubbed “Airport Tray Aesthetic” or “TSA Tray Aesthetic” in reference to U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — turns the standard security screening process at the airport into a creative photographic opportunity.
Travelers thoughtfully organize their travel essentials in their airport trays as they go through security into an aesthetically pleasing display and take a photograph of it.
These carefully curated photographs — which show their designer bags, make-up, gadgets, books, and accessories carefully and beautifully laid out in an airport tray — are then shared on social media.
The “Airport Tray Aesthetic” photography trend — which has gone viral on Instagram and TikTok — represents a progression of popular social media movements like #foodstagram — which saw millennials taking artful pictures of their meals.
The images of their airport trays offer a distinctive blend of travel documentation and lifestyle expression for Generation Z users.
Social media users have always chosen unexpected settings in photos to showcase what they’re wearing, reading, or buying. According to The Guardian, another recent trend involves people sharing photos of what’s in their bike baskets — from Prada handbags to flowers and fine bottles of wine — often unintentionally promoting bike-share services.
And last year, PetaPixel reported on a viral self-portrait photography trend which saw Generation Z taking distorted selfies using their reflection in a convex mirror — which has become known on TikTok as a “traffic mirror.”
A Photography Trend Disrupting Airport Security Lines
However, the “Airport Tray Aesthetic” trend has faced criticism from people — especially fellow airplane passengers who have argued that the practice is disruptive and inconsiderate, particularly when it leads to delays in security lines.
Some critics have concerns that the staged photos could create obstructions and extend wait times at security and passport control in the airport.
@_shoppursue kicking off girls trip with some controlled chaos 🤭✨✈️ #airporttray #airportaesthetic #whatsinmybag #packing #pinterestaesthetic #airportstyle #phototutorial #airportdiaries #airportfashion #airportoutfit #ootd ♬ Very Demure Jools House of Evo Remix – CasaDi
According to The New York Post, the TSA are aware of the “Airport Tray Aesthetic” trend and say that the photos will not be banned as long as it doesn’t impact the efficiency or speed of security screenings.
“As long as the staged glamor photos are not causing delays or issues with other passengers in the checkpoint, there are no issues,” the TSA tells The New York Post.
“Travelers should take care to secure their IDs, passports, and any light items on top that could be swept out of the bins when they go into the machines.”
How to Take an Airport Tray Photo Without The Outrage
However, some digital creators have responded to the outrage regarding taking airport tray photos and found ways to not holding up security lines. In a TikTok video, digital creator Chelsea Henriquez described how she goes through airport security and then takes her tray to the side so that she can take her time getting the perfect shot.
@pipertaich Replying to @Kimberly Mayflower TSA bin aesthetic photo tutorial! ✈️ #pinterest #thrifted #airportaesthetic #phototutorial ♬ original sound – piper taich
Meanwhile other individuals have instead taken to shooting their own airport tray photos at home. In a video, that has amassed 1.8 million viewers, influencer Piper Taich explained how she takes her aesthetic photos at home, with a tray bought on Amazon.
Taich also used Photoshop to make a fake boarding pass to make her “Airport Tray Aesthetic” images feel more real.
“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.
Image credits: Header photo via Instagram/@faberbooks.
