Baby cries for 2 hours on a plane—passenger’s reaction wins the internet

If you’ve ever been that parent with a crying baby mid-flight, you know the stress. If you’ve ever been that passenger rolling your eyes about said crying baby, maybe it’s time to check your baggage—your emotional baggage, that is.

A viral TikTok from Samantha Rae (@samanthachadwickk) is giving us all a masterclass in how to handle crying babies on planes with empathy and, well, ease. The video, which has racked up 1.4 million views since December 11, keeps it simple:

“There’s a baby on my flight that’s been crying non-stop for like two hours. She sounds so uncomfortable, and her parents are working so hard to calm her down. They are probably feeling so much anxiety and pressure right now. People behind them are talking about the baby screaming. So instead of complaining, I just put on my headphones and watched my show & could barely hear her. It’s that easy.”

Translation? Grace is free, headphones are effective, and babies cry. That’s life at 30,000 feet.

Turbulence for parents

For families, air travel is rarely a breeze. Between expensive tickets, unpredictable meltdowns, and not being guaranteed seats next to your own children without coughing up extra cash, getting from point A to point B is often more survival mode than vacay vibes.

Add to that the stress of:

• The tiny seats and restless kids.

• The lack of accommodations for breastfeeding, diaper changes, and any level of comfort.

• The side-eye and sighs from fellow passengers who forget that we were all babies once, too.

It’s no wonder parents show up at the gate already feeling like they’ve run a marathon (in Crocs, with a stroller).

Related: Flying with baby? 11 tips to make air travel with kids a breeze

Innovations taking off

The good news? Some policies and tools are helping families fly a little smoother.

• “Sit Together for Free” Policies: Airlines like United and Southwest are making it easier for families to sit together without tacking on extra fees. No one wants their toddler sitting solo in 12B while they’re stuck in 26C.
  

• Mamava Pods: For breastfeeding or pumping moms, private lactation pods in airports mean fewer awkward pump setups in bathroom stalls or terminal corners.
  

• Better Awareness: Viral moments like Samantha’s remind all passengers that the skies are friendlier when we pack a little patience.

Final boarding call

Here’s the thing: We’ve all been there. Whether you’re a parent trying to soothe your baby or a passenger trying to catch some Zzzs, air travel can bring out the best—or worst—in people. But as Samantha Rae so calmly pointed out, controlling what you can is the name of the game. Noise-canceling headphones? Great. A little grace for stressed-out parents? Even better.

So next time there’s a crying baby on your flight, zip up the complaints, tune in to your own show, and remember, compassion makes the skies a whole lot smoother for everyone.

Now, who’s got the snacks?

Related: 12 smart airplane travel tips from a mother of three kids 4 and under