The latest travel fad is the ‘airport tray aesthetic’ where youngsters share photos and videos of ‘well-curated’ airport security trays on social media, but not all are happy with this staged glam sham
While visually appealing for social media, the trend of arranging belongings for the perfect "tray photo" is frustrating fellow travellers and causing delays. (Image: Instagram)
In recent months, airports worldwide have witnessed a new ‘airport tray aesthetic’ trend, where many Gen-Z travellers are wasting time arranging their belongings artistically – shoes, jackets, wallets, headphones, mobile, make-up kits, books, pens, and belts on airport security trays – for perfect Insta-worthy photos and videos. But this has invited the wrath of fellow travellers, airport staff, and travel planners alike.
As the holiday and festive season brings an influx of passengers, the demand for efficiency and smooth travel increases. However, the growing obsession with social media aesthetics is adding unnecessary delays at security checkpoints, frustrating those trying to navigate the already busy airport environment.
Travel Tray Trend
In the age of Instagram and TikTok, where every moment is an opportunity for a new post, it comes as no surprise that travellers are looking to document even the most mundane aspects of their journey. What began as a quirky and seemingly harmless photo trend has now snowballed into a widespread phenomenon, with some travellers going to great lengths to create the perfect top-down colour-coordinated photo of their stuff ‘curated’ in airport security trays.
Travel Tray Trend
In the age of Instagram and TikTok, where every moment is an opportunity for a new post, it comes as no surprise that travellers are looking to document even the most mundane aspects of their journey. What began as a quirky and seemingly harmless photo trend has now snowballed into a widespread phenomenon, with some travellers going to great lengths to create the perfect top-down colour-coordinated photo of their stuff ‘curated’ in airport security trays.
Muskan Rawat (22), a Gen-Z traveller from Jaipur, explains her attraction to the trend. “It’s a fun way to showcase the start of your trip. I always arrange my sunglasses, passport, and travel-sized beauty products just right before going through security. It’s almost like my own personal flat-lay moment.” While the trend may be visually appealing and playful, it comes at a cost for others who are in a rush.
Fuming Frequent Fliers
For many travellers, particularly those who are frequent flyers or travelling during peak times, this photo trend is seen as an unnecessary delay that adds stress to an already tense process. The act of carefully arranging items to capture the perfect picture slows down the line, with some travellers spending extra minutes adjusting the contents of their trays, checking lighting, and snapping multiple photos before finally proceeding through security.
Fuming Frequent Fliers
For many travellers, particularly those who are frequent flyers or travelling during peak times, this photo trend is seen as an unnecessary delay that adds stress to an already tense process. The act of carefully arranging items to capture the perfect picture slows down the line, with some travellers spending extra minutes adjusting the contents of their trays, checking lighting, and snapping multiple photos before finally proceeding through security.
However, Krishna Rajan, a frequent business traveller, expressed his frustration: “I don’t have time for these kinds of things when I’m rushing to catch a flight. There’s nothing worse than being stuck behind someone more interested in getting the perfect photo of their tray than getting through security quickly. It’s not just inconsiderate – it’s frustrating.”
Crowd Management
Holiday travellers, who often have to contend with larger crowds and heightened security measures, are especially irritated by this trend. With long lines and increased wait times, the last thing many want to encounter is an additional delay caused by someone photographing their security tray. “At the airport, there’s a rule that’s to be followed, these silly little trends are cute at first, but everyone is trying to make it to their location. Holding up queues and taking pictures while you are in someone's way is not the best experience,” says Pooja Bharadwaj, a celebrity make-up artist, MUA.
Crowd Management
Holiday travellers, who often have to contend with larger crowds and heightened security measures, are especially irritated by this trend. With long lines and increased wait times, the last thing many want to encounter is an additional delay caused by someone photographing their security tray. “At the airport, there’s a rule that’s to be followed, these silly little trends are cute at first, but everyone is trying to make it to their location. Holding up queues and taking pictures while you are in someone's way is not the best experience,” says Pooja Bharadwaj, a celebrity make-up artist, MUA.
Airport officials and security staff are also becoming increasingly aware of the trend and its potential impact on the efficiency of their operations. With higher passenger volumes during holiday seasons, security lines are under more strain, and even minor slowdowns can lead to significant delays. Many airports operate with tight schedules to ensure passengers can pass through security and make their flights on time, but this new trend disrupts the flow. A CISF officer at the Mumbai airport on the condition of anonymity said that they did not witness any such trend or receive complaints from other fliers. “We ensure, people place their belongings in the tray and move away fast,” explained the CISF officer.
Fall in Line
Some airports are already considering measures to address the situation. Signs reminding passengers to keep the line moving and not to take photos at security checkpoints are becoming more common. However, enforcing these rules can be challenging. Security officials are focused primarily on ensuring the safety and efficiency of airport operations, and it’s difficult to monitor social media-related behaviour without causing further delays or confrontations.
Fall in Line
Some airports are already considering measures to address the situation. Signs reminding passengers to keep the line moving and not to take photos at security checkpoints are becoming more common. However, enforcing these rules can be challenging. Security officials are focused primarily on ensuring the safety and efficiency of airport operations, and it’s difficult to monitor social media-related behaviour without causing further delays or confrontations.
As the trend continues to spread, it remains to be seen whether airports will take more formal action to curtail this behaviour or if social media platforms themselves might encourage more responsible posting etiquette. For now, the key lies in finding a balance between creativity and consideration. Gen-Z travellers, known for their ability to shape trends, have an opportunity to lead the way in creating airport content that’s both fun and respectful. A little mindfulness can go a long way. Bon Voyage!
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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