Recently, a passenger documented his struggle with a screaming baby during a grueling 29-hour flight to Germany, sparking widespread discussions about children on planes.
Henry Beasley, who is a musician and one-half of the New Zealand duo Balu Brigada, captured the ordeal on video and shared it on TikTok. The video then quickly went viral.
In the video, Henry humorously invites viewers to “rate my 29-hour journey to Berlin” before he showcases his reaction to the persistent cries of the child sitting nearby.
Throughout the footage, Henry’s subtle expressions of frustration—exaggerated sighs and eye twitches—reflect his mounting exasperation. In spite of the ordeal, he maintains a lighthearted tone, jokingly praising the child for their “incredible stamina” and giving their “stellar performance” a “10/10” rating.
The video gained over 3.7 million views and sparked debates about the challenges of flying with young children.
@balubrigadaHey babe, how was your flight?
The internet users shared mixed opinions, with some siding with Henry and expressing frustration at the parents’ decision to bring a small child on such a long flight.
“Kids don’t even remember anything from those trips. Why would anyone do that?”, one viewer wrote.
Even some parents admitted that traveling with young children can be challenging for everyone involved.
One person commented: “I know some people don’t have the option, but I never took my babies or toddlers on flights. Ever. It’s painful for everyone,”
Another shared an unconventional, albeit controversial, solution: “My mom used to give my brother and me cough syrup or something to make us drowsy. At least she was considerate.”
The video also reignited the ongoing debate about child-free flights.
While several commenters expressed a willingness to pay more for flights without children, some airlines already offer child-free zones to cater to travelers seeking a quieter experience.
For example, budget airline Scoot features a “ScootinSilence” section, banning children under 12. Similarly, Japan Airlines allows passengers to view seat maps indicating where babies will be seated, enabling travelers to plan their seating accordingly.
Though these options provide some relief, the debate remains divisive. Critics argue that child-free zones might not always be practical or fair, but others see them as a reasonable compromise for improving the flying experience for all passengers.
Henry’s video humorously highlights a shared travel struggle. Despite the frustration, his lighthearted approach reminds us to find humor in challenging situations, even on the longest of flights.
