Why Is Everyone Obsessed With Airport Tray Layouts

by Sana Bun

Why Is Everyone Obsessed With Airport Tray Layouts

29 Jul 2024

Instagram has recently been flooded with a new quirky trend: airport tray layouts. Yes, those trays you toss your belongings into during security checks. What originally started as snapshots of handbag contents has rapidly morphed into an art form, with users showcasing their designer goodies in meticulous arrangements. The further it goes, the less these layouts seem to be about practicality and more about flaunting luxury brands. It has even gone beyond the airport setting: some people just grab plastic bins and recreate the trend at home. But why is everyone so obsessed with it? Let's dig into the roots of this fascination and see what it is all about.

When I first saw these pictures on Instagram a few months ago, they looked more than natural. I could imagine a creative mind being stuck in a line for a security check and entertaining themselves with aesthetically organising the content of their carry-on luggage, putting in a tray all the stuff that you normally bring on board. It was proper realistic lifestyle content, so I tend to believe it all started with good intentions and self-expression.

Instagram: @darjabarannik, @streetandgentle, @itisbainz

What likely happened next is that Instagram inhabitants, always on the hunt for fresh ideas, realised what a perfect backdrop a humble airport tray can be. Layouts have always been a social media staple and trays became their new frame, serving clean, polished looks.

Instagram: @threadsstyling

Then, as with many trends, the original concept transformed. It wasn't long before influencers, ordinary users, and even brands started pushing the boundaries. It all stopped being about what people actually carry in their bags — Instagrammers began assembling these layouts with a distinct focus on showcasing luxury items, including the ones that don’t really belong to the airport surroundings. The more extravagant the display, the better, so the airport tray became a stage where the stars were not just travel essentials but status symbols.

Instagram: @12storeez_com

But still, why is everyone so obsessed? For starters, the airport tray evokes a sense of a lifestyle many aspire to and speaks of travelling and adventures. Even if you’re not jet-setting across the globe, these photos create an inspirational image and offer a slice of a spontaneous and stylish life.

What else hides behind these simple pieces of plastic? I guess, elements of nostalgia and escapism. Airports symbolise departures and excitement over new beginnings, so by tapping into the trend, some people may feel connected to the broader world, especially in times when travel is not a frequent thing for them.

Then, of course, we can’t ignore the cult of aesthetic perfection steering social media. Symmetrical or chaotic, these layouts appeal to our love for visual satisfaction that Instagram is built on.

Instagram: @marcihirshleifer

Ultimately, this trend reflects our perpetual desire to blend reality with a touch of fantasy and turn everyday moments into something worth capturing and sharing. So next time you see a perfectly curated airport tray layout, remember it is more than just a photo — it is a mini escape, a style statement, and a glimpse into a world of endless possibilities.

by Sana Bun