Ever feel that an airline just gets everything right? Whether it’s their customer service, or onboard entertainment – some companies just know how to hit the sweet spot.
It might sound strange, but the music we hear as we embark is a key part of that. Music is something almost all of us can relate to personally, maybe it’s part of a special memory, or triggers a certain emotion – it has the power to affect how we feel.
Airlines know this, which is why they put a lot of time and effort into selecting the right music for when we board. Here are six great examples.
Qatar Airlines
Qatar’s boarding music is so popular there is a dedicated YouTube video that plays it on a loop for three hours – with almost 150,000 views. Clearly people like to feel they’re going on holiday.
But why is it so popular? Well, the composer that they use for the piece, a Qatari composer called Dana Al Fardan, does a fine job of building the atmosphere with piano and strings. The piece then settles into a rhythmic flow, almost like the plane journey itself, before a satisfying ending that could mirror the landing at your dream destination.
The music is quite new, introduced with the launch of Qsuite, their upgraded business class, but it could be here for some time judging by how much customers like it.
Singapore Airlines
The chief aim of a soundtrack is to suit the experience you’re having: it’s why you might hear dramatic music during the climax of a movie or exciting upbeat music as a TV show unveils the winning lottery numbers. Whoever oversees flight music at Singapore Airlines gets how it works.
The boarding music for Singapore flights may not be as upbeat as other with other companies, but it does a great job of creating a pleasant, calm atmosphere as you get ready for take-off. There’s also a nostalgic air to it, too, which is apt since people often have great memories of their holidays – the very thing they’re about to do once they land.
Etihad Airlines
Etihad go for a softly-softly approach for their ambient noise – and it works well. It gives you the feeling that you’re about to embark on an epic adventure with its cinematic harmonies.
The company are used to doing this, having paid a lot of attention to their in-flight music of many years, but their latest offering is the most popular yet. Another one that makes for a perfect backing track while you work.
Turkish Airlines
Until now, we’ve only dealt with classical music, and the array of instruments that comes with it. Turkish Airlines opt for a different approach – and it’s no less effective.
Using almost as many instruments, their contribution to this article uses lush guitars and an upbeat rhythm that transports you straight to your dream holiday destination without even leaving the ground.
As if that wasn’t enough, it also has special hold music – the tune you hear when waiting to speak to customer service. It’s a great idea to calm down angry customers – just give them catchy music to listen to!
Air France
If, for some reason, you’re feeling a little down as you get on board – maybe you’re hungover, or just extremely tired – then Air France’s boarding music will perk you up.
Staying true to the European tradition of embracing dance music, this optimistic track uses some great electronic sounds underpinned by a heavy techno beat. Someone at the Air France office must have been to a rave or two in their time.
This version replaced the previous track, The World Can be Yours by Telepopmusik, three years ago. That was a much softer affair and appeared in several of the company’s promotional videos.
The current tune, on the other hand, runs the risk of getting passengers out of their seats before the flight even takes off.
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines’ music may sound like a banking advert at first but stay with it – it gets better as it goes on. At odds with some of the more upbeat tracks, it starts off slow but then builds into a crescendo, helped by the soaring female vocals that go with it.
The track is called ‘I Will Be There With You’ and was released in time with Japan Airlines launching their 777-300ER flights to the United States – hence the American-sounding vocals.