The Airplane Toilet Licking Video surfaced in early 2019 when a video of a social media user licking a commercial airplane toilet seat went viral, garnering millions of views and widespread disgust. The act was part of a broader trend of 'shock' challenges designed to provoke strong reactions and gain social media traction. In meme culture, the video is used as the ultimate symbol of desperate clout-chasing and the extreme lengths influencers will go to for internet fame. It frequently appears in reaction videos or as a reference point for unsanitary viral behavior, serving as a satirical commentary on the bizarre pursuit of digital validation.