Gen Z turns TSA bins into fashion statements at airports

The airport security checkpoint has become the stage for a viral social media trend known as the "airport tray aesthetic." Passengers, particularly from Generation Z, are curating and photographing the contents of their TSA bins.

These passengers arrange designer bags, perfumes, gadgets, and books to create color-coordinated, visually pleasing compositions. They are transforming a mundane part of travel into a form of creative expression. This practice offers them a sense of control in an environment where they often feel powerless—going through government checkpoints, undergoing body scans, and having personal items confiscated.

However, this trend is causing delays at security lines. Long queues and anxious travelers trying to catch their flights are losing patience with influencers who stop to set up their trays and take photos. While the TSA acknowledges the slowdown caused by this trend, it remains largely powerless to prevent it due to restrictions on placing limits on photography at checkpoints.