A recent viral video has reignited the debate about children on planes after a passenger documented his challenging experience with a crying baby during a 29-hour flight to Germany.
Henry Beasley, a musician and member of the New Zealand duo Balu Brigada, shared his ordeal on TikTok, where the video quickly gained traction. In the clip, Henry humorously invites viewers to “rate my 29-hour journey to Berlin,” offering a glimpse of his reactions to the nonstop cries of a nearby child.
With eye twitches, exaggerated sighs, and subtle expressions of frustration, Henry captures his mounting exasperation while maintaining a lighthearted tone. He jokingly applauds the baby for their “incredible stamina” and awards their “performance” a perfect “10/10” rating.
The video resonated with millions, garnering over 3.7 million views and sparking widespread conversations about the challenges of flying with young children. Opinions were divided in the comments, with some sympathizing with Henry and questioning why parents would bring small children on such long flights.
One commenter wrote, “Kids don’t even remember these trips. Why put them—and everyone else—through it?”
Even some parents admitted they avoid flying with young children. One noted, “I never took my toddlers on flights. It’s just too stressful for everyone involved.” Another shared a more controversial suggestion: “My mom used to give us cough syrup to make us drowsy during flights. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked.”
The incident also reignited calls for child-free flight options. Some travelers expressed a willingness to pay extra for flights without children. Airlines like Scoot and Japan Airlines have already implemented solutions, such as child-free zones or seat maps indicating where babies will be seated.
While these options provide some relief, they remain divisive. Critics argue that child-free zones might not be practical or fair, while others view them as a reasonable compromise to improve the flying experience for everyone.
Henry’s humorous approach to his travel woes struck a chord with viewers worldwide, offering a reminder to find levity even in frustrating situations—even during the longest of flights.
