A TikTok video documenting a baby's persistent crying on a 29-hour flight from New Zealand to Berlin has sparked fresh debate about whether airlines should offer child-free flights. Henry Beasley, a member of Kiwi band Balu Brigada, posted a compilation of clips showing his reactions to the infant's screams throughout the marathon journey.
In the video, which has gone viral, Beasley jokingly rated the baby's performance, calling it a 'strong start' and noting the child's 'great projection'. He captioned the final clip: 'Stellar performance. Incredible stamina. 10/10.' The footage shows his growing irritation, with eyes twitching as the crying persisted even with cabin lights dimmed.
The video has ignited a heated online discussion, with one comment garnering 220,000 likes suggesting 'kid-free flights and kid flights' should be introduced. Another user argued that children should not be allowed on flights longer than four hours, while a parent admitted they never took their babies or toddlers on flights, calling it 'painful for everyone'.
However, some defended travelling families, noting the stress parents endure. One commenter wrote: 'I feel bad for the passengers, but I can’t imagine being “that parent” either! The stress would be insane.' The debate continues as airlines face pressure to accommodate diverse passenger preferences.
