‘Airport tray aesthetic’ is annoying everyone — and even the TSA is aware of the ‘staged glamour photos’

August 22, 2024

It’s tray magnifique — but at what cost?

Miserably waiting in long, serpentine TSA lines may soon become an even more maddening chore thanks to a new time-consuming craze.

“Got all my girls unpacking their bags for aesthetic airport tray pics,” bragged NYC influencer, Chelsea Henriquez, 31, in the closed-captions of a viral vid.

The fetching footage, which has clocked up over 377,000 TikTok views, features the fashionista and her gang of gal pals emptying their carry-on bags at a LaGuardia Airport security checkpoint, artfully placing their belongings into TSA bins and snapping social media-worthy shots of the decorative display.

To capture the most stellar frame — and to avoid catching dirty looks and rebukes from others in the airport — Henriquez tells The Post, “I take the tray with me after going through TSA, and curate my items near the benches where people put their shoes back on.”

“This way I’m not rushing to set up the tray while on the TSA line and I’m also not inconveniencing fellow travelers or the TSA folk by getting in their way.”

But, unfortunately, not every member of “airport tray aesthetic” mania is as courteous as the Queens native.

And yet, the picturesque trend is taking off amongst tastemakers everywhere — so much so that the TSA told The Post that they are “aware” of the movement.

Much like the controversial passport “glow-ups” movement, which saw vain vacationers glamorizing their photo IDs for international flights, the airport tray aesthetic is a voguish swing towards beautifying the oft-dull aspects of air travel.

With over 16.4 million TikTok posts, the burgeoning trend sees worldwide trippers taking a few extra minutes to curate color-coordinated pics of their personal effects neatly positioned inside the TSA’s dingy, gray containers.

Most jet-setters begrudgingly take off their shoes, jackets and bulky jewelry at the security center, per official TSA regulations. However, airport tray aesthetic revelers are volitionally loading up the little boxes with items that haven’t even been flagged by the officials, such as sweatshirts, high heels, designer purses, magazines and mini self-care goodies.

Content creator Alyssa Lenore even copped to purchasing a TSA bin, and staging snazzy airport-esque shoots from the comforts of her bedroom.

“If anyone is curious about how I always get aesthetics TSA bin photos, it’s because I have one at home,” admitted the YouTuber. “I don’t want to be in a position with people — especially on a line [where] intensities are already high, some people are running late — and I just want to get a good photo.”

“So, I make it at home.”

But with most infuencers staging the snaps in the TSA line, the trend could extend wait-times for everyone — and potentially cause some folks to miss their flights all together.

In busy airport, such as JFK, both domestic and international passengers are often forced to slug through security lines for approximately 25 minutes before having to hoof it to their gates, according to a recent report by travel site, Bounce. But the experts’ estimation didn’t consider unforeseen delays, obstructions, or — unsurprisingly — any viral TikTok trends, that might further extend the already lengthy wait.

In a statement, the TSA told The Post: “As long as the staged glamour photos are not causing delays or issues with other passengers in the checkpoint, there are no issues.”

“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,” the agency added.

However, digital critics of the fashionable fad seem to feel that holding up the line for cute pics simply won’t fly.

“No, I’d be so mad if I was stuck behind you,” barked a naysayer.

“We don’t have time for that girl. I’m late,” spat a separate commenter.

“TSA is way too chaotic for this,” another argued.

“Oh honey, what airport is this in?,” a stunned onlooker asked. “Because in NYC, I would’ve been screamed at.”