Travelers push for child-free flights after nightmare 26-hour trip with baby

A passenger’s 29-hour flight to Germany turned into an endurance test due to a screaming baby, and his humorous reaction has sparked widespread debate about traveling with young children.

Henry Beasley, a musician and part of the New Zealand duo Balu Brigada, documented his experience in a now-viral TikTok video. The clip, which has amassed over 3.7 million views, captures Beasley’s subtle yet expressive reactions as a child seated nearby cries persistently throughout the long-haul journey.

In the video, Beasley playfully asks viewers to “rate my 29-hour journey to Berlin” before showing himself enduring the cries with twitching eyes and exaggerated sighs. Rather than expressing outright annoyance, he maintains a lighthearted approach, sarcastically praising the baby for their “incredible stamina” and rating their “stellar performance” a perfect “10/10.”

The video resonated with many travelers who have faced similar situations, with thousands of commenters sharing their own experiences and frustrations.

Divided opinions on traveling with young children

While some sympathized with Beasley, others debated the responsibilities of parents traveling with infants.

One commenter questioned why parents bring young children on long-haul flights when they “won’t even remember the trip.” Another admitted, “I never took my babies or toddlers on flights. Ever. It’s painful for everyone.”

Some parents, however, defended the situation, pointing out that travel is sometimes unavoidable, whether for family emergencies, relocations, or other essential reasons.

One commenter even shared a 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 child-free flight debate

The viral video has also reignited discussions about the idea of child-free flights. Several travelers expressed willingness to pay extra for flights without children, arguing that long-haul journeys are already stressful without added disruptions.

Some airlines have attempted to accommodate this preference. Budget carrier Scoot, for example, offers a “ScootinSilence” section, banning children under 12. Japan Airlines allows passengers to check seat maps showing where babies are seated so they can choose their seats accordingly.

While these options provide some relief, the idea of fully child-free flights remains controversial. Critics argue that such policies might be impractical, exclusionary, or even discriminatory. Others believe designated kid-free zones are a fair compromise that improves the flying experience for all passengers.

Finding humor in a common travel struggle

Henry Beasley’s video serves as a relatable reminder of the unpredictability of air travel. While a screaming baby on a 29-hour flight is undeniably frustrating, his ability to turn the experience into lighthearted entertainment struck a chord with millions.

Whether airlines will ever offer fully child-free flights remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—this debate is far from over.