The annoying airport trend going viral that could get you in trouble
GOING through airport security is one of the most stressful parts of catching a flight.
And some passengers may find it taking them even longer – because of a new trend.
Called the airport tray aesthetic, travellers are ‘styling’ what is inside their tray when they are going through security.
They are then taking pictures of the trays, and posting them online while laying things out in an artistic way.
According to GQ, there are more than 16million related posts that have tagged the “airport tray aesthetic”.
Most of the images show what you’d expect – passports, headphones, shoes etc.
But some are going one further and having “themed” trays, such as book-themed airport trays, with one showing a purple and yellow style with the famous It Ends With Us book, recently adapted into a film with Blake Lively.
While this may seem harmless, this trend could result in much longer queues at the airport.
Passengers stopping to take photos of their trays means more people unable to get their own tray from the belt.
Worst case scenario? You could find yourself running to your gate or even missing your flight if the trend continues.
It has already received backlash from other travellers on social media.
One person said: “I’m sorry but no one is actually that aesthetic.”
Another agreed: “I am not my kindest self in the airport if I catch you taking Pinterest pics in the TSA line I’m putting my bin ahead of yours.”
A third said: “What airport are you going to that lets you artfully organize your stuff and take aesthetic pictures? If I tried this at any airport in the tri-state area TSA would scream at me.”
This is because it also poses a security risk for people taking photos of their trays.
Most airports prohibit photographs being taken at security due to the risk it poses.
Doug Drury is Head of Aviation at CQUniversity in Australia, previously told Stuff NZ: “Such restrictions are carryovers from the changes to airport security following the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks.
“Security teams change their processes frequently to prevent having any identifiable patterns that could be used to create a security breach.”
One woman has shared her advice on how to do the trend without annoying other travellers, or getting in trouble with airport security.
TikToker Chelsea Henriquez shared on her social media: “Step 1: go through TSA.
“Step 2: pick up your bags and move – important: GET OUT OF THE WAY.
“Step 3: Set up your little tray to your heart’s desire.”
However, everyone was saying the same thing in the comment.
One explained: “I’m the person you see running from TSA to the gate.”
Plane etiquette
IF you're planning on going away any time soon, you'll need to pay attention to the following unwritten plane etiquette rules...
RECLINING SEAT: Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn’t recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop.
He said: “Nobody likes their laptop snapped in half.”
Before you recline your seat, it’s best to check to see what the passenger behind you is doing.
If they are on a laptop, ask before you move your seat back.
FEET: A flight attendant told The Sun: “Your boarding card tells you a number and a letter, this will be the reserved seat that you have paid for.
“Your feet, which are attached to your body, should do their best to reside within this space and stay far away from anyone else.
“If you do insist on stretching out, please make sure your feet are covered up.”
CHAT: TV travel expert Samantha Brown explained that conversations from strangers aren’t welcome, suggesting that others shouldn’t expect a chat.
She added: “I’m not a talker. Plane time is me time.”
It’s not the only reason you should avoid the airport tray trend.
A study found that the security trays have the most viruses at the airport.