Gen Z’s ‘Aesthetic Airport Trays’ Trend Faces Backlash From Passengers

A new social media trend called the ‘airport tray aesthetic’ is gaining traction, where travelers arrange their belongings on trays to capture the perfect ‘Instagrammable’ photo. This trend, which involves carefully placing items like sunglasses, shoes, toiletries, and reading materials on a tray during security check-ins, has caused frustration among other passengers due to the delays it creates. According to CNN, brands like Anthropologie and Stackers, a storage solutions company, have embraced this trend, using it to market their travel-friendly products. Stackers noted that the trend “aligned perfectly” with their emphasis on curated travel accessories.

The trend was initiated by New York-based influencer Chelsea Henriquez, who shared a step-by-step tutorial on how to find a vacant spot and arrange the tray without inconveniencing other passengers. Her video has since garnered over 377,000 views.

Interestingly, not all participants in this trend are actually at airports. Influencers such as Alyssa Lenore have admitted to purchasing TSA-style trays to recreate the setup at home, where they can stage and photograph their belongings without the stress of real security lines. Lenore explained to the New York Post, “I don’t want to be in a situation with people — especially in a line where tensions are already high.”

While some travelers admire the creativity, others see it as a waste of time. The New York Post criticized the trend as “time-consuming,” warning that it could contribute to delays in already lengthy TSA lines. Concerns have been raised that the extra time influencers spend setting up trays could further slow down security processes, especially at busy airports like JFK, where wait times can already exceed 25 minutes.