A recent viral TikTok video has reignited the debate about children on airplanes, after a passenger shared his exhausting 29-hour flight experience with a crying baby. Henry Beasley, a musician from the New Zealand duo Balu Brigada, documented his journey to Berlin, capturing the frustration of sitting near a screaming child for nearly the entire trip.
In the video, Henry humorously asks viewers to “rate my 29-hour journey to Berlin” before showcasing his reactions to the baby’s relentless cries. His subtle expressions of exasperation—eye twitches and exaggerated sighs—paint a vivid picture of his ordeal. Despite the frustration, Henry keeps the tone lighthearted, jokingly praising the child’s “incredible stamina” and giving their “performance” a “10/10” rating.
The video quickly went viral, amassing over 3.7 million views and sparking a heated discussion about the challenges of flying with young children. Many commenters sympathized with Henry, questioning why parents would bring a small child on such a long flight. “Kids don’t even remember these trips. Why put everyone through that?” one viewer wrote.
Even some parents admitted that traveling with young children can be tough for everyone involved. “I never took my babies or toddlers on flights. It’s painful for everyone,” one commenter shared. Others suggested unconventional solutions, like giving children cough syrup to make them drowsy—a controversial but sometimes-used tactic.
The incident has also revived calls for child-free flights. Many travelers expressed a willingness to pay extra for flights without children, and some airlines are already offering child-free zones. For example, Scoot Airlines has a “ScootinSilence” section that bans children under 12, and Japan Airlines allows passengers to see seat maps indicating where babies will be seated.
While these options provide some relief, the debate remains divisive. Critics argue that child-free zones might not always be practical or fair, while others see them as a reasonable compromise. Henry’s video, though humorous, highlights a shared travel struggle and reminds us to find humor in even the most challenging situations.
