Viral Video Sparks Debate Over Child-Free Flights After Musician’s Grueling Journey
A musician’s exhausting 29-hour flight to Germany, accompanied by the relentless cries of a nearby baby, has reignited the debate over child-free flights.
Henry Beasley, one-half of the New Zealand duo Balu Brigada, documented his experience in a now-viral TikTok video. With a mix of humor and exasperation, he invited viewers to “rate my 29-hour journey to Berlin,” before sharing clips of himself enduring the child’s persistent wails.
Throughout the video, Henry’s subtle yet telling reactions—eye twitches, deep sighs, and weary nods—perfectly captured his mounting frustration. However, he kept the tone lighthearted, jokingly applauding the child’s “incredible stamina” and awarding their performance a “10/10.”
The clip quickly gained traction, racking up over 3.7 million views and sparking a heated discussion on the challenges of flying with young children. While some viewers empathized with Henry’s ordeal, others defended the parents, acknowledging that long-haul travel with kids is difficult but sometimes unavoidable.
“Kids don’t even remember these trips. Why put everyone through this?” one commenter questioned.
Even some parents chimed in with their own experiences. “I never took my babies or toddlers on flights. It’s just too stressful for everyone involved,” one user admitted. Another recalled a controversial past solution: “My mom used to give us cough syrup to make us drowsy. At least she was considerate.”
The debate also revived calls for airlines to introduce child-free flights. Some travelers expressed a willingness to pay extra for flights without young children, pointing to existing airline policies that cater to those seeking a quieter experience.
For instance, budget carrier Scoot offers a “ScootinSilence” section where children under 12 are not allowed. Similarly, Japan Airlines provides a seat map feature that shows where infants will be seated, allowing passengers to plan accordingly.
While these measures offer some solutions, opinions remain divided. Critics argue that banning children from certain sections or flights is impractical and unfair, while supporters see it as a reasonable compromise for improving the flying experience.
As discussions continue, one thing is clear: the challenges of air travel with young children remain a polarizing issue, and passengers on both sides of the debate have strong opinions on how airlines should address it.
