As an aviation geek, I don’t just think about my favorite airlines while flying, but also when I’m at home. One of the most consistent ways that I integrate my favorite airlines into my daily life is by listening to airline boarding music. Yes, the concept of listening to airline boarding music while at home might sound wild to some, but when you hear some of these tracks, maybe you’ll understand why…
In this post:
The best airline boarding music
I know I’m a weirdo, but I really have a thing for airline boarding music. I tend to think we associate a lot of memories with music, either based on what we were listening to when something happened, or just because different music sums up different moods.
As someone who is obsessed with flying and associates a lot of memories with it, I can’t help but notice the boarding music that airlines use. To me it’s a small touch that can help set the tone for a flight.
Almost without exception, I remember the boarding music (or lack thereof) that airlines use. For many people boarding is a stressful time, so I think a good soundtrack can help set the tone for a relaxing flight.
I wanted to make an updated list with my favorite airline boarding music for a couple of reasons:
- For those who have shifted to “working from home,” I feel like some kinds of music really help with productivity, and for the most part airline boarding music music is great in that regard; it’s intended to be relaxing without being distracting
- For many of us this is such a nice way to be reminded of our favorite airlines
With that out of the way, here’s a list of my favorite airline boarding music (interestingly there’s a significant overlap between this list and my list of the best airline brands):
1. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways introduced special boarding music to coincide with the introduction of Qsuites several years ago. There are two versions of this — the original one is the first one below, and then the second one is the more recent one, which is currently playing. The music is created by a local Qatari composer, Dana Al Fardan, and I just find it to be so incredibly calming and relaxing.
2. Etihad Airways
Next on my list is Etihad, because the Abu Dhabi-based airline actually has three “generations” of amazing boarding music. Personally Etihad’s boarding music from several years back is still my favorite, and this is my go-to track to listen to while working.
The newer track is great as well, though.
Then there’s the latest track that was introduced in 2021, which is nice, but my least favorite of the three.
3. Qantas
While Qantas isn’t an airline I’ve ever had a major emotional connection to, the Australian flag carrier does have some spectacularly soothing boarding music, and I don’t think there’s a better track to relax or work to. The soundtrack was created by Australian composer Haydn Walker and guitarist Nathan Cavaleri.
4. Emirates Airline
I love Emirates’ old boarding music, though unfortunately the carrier doesn’t play it anymore. Now Emirates just plays radio hits, which to me just can’t compare. There was something so familiar about stepping onto an Emirates A380 and hearing the below music.
5. All Nippon Airways
When I listen to the below track I close my eyes and imagine myself boarding ANA first class, with endless “thank you for waiting” and “so sorry” apologies. With Japan once again to visitors, I can’t wait to return for the first time in years!
6. Oman Air
Yep, the Gulf carriers seem to get boarding music right. I love flying with Oman Air in general, and in particular love the Muscat-based carrier’s boarding music.
7. Turkish Airlines
Okay, this isn’t actually boarding music, but I can’t talk about any airline music without mentioning Turkish Airlines’ ridiculously addictive (and probably not in a good way) hold music.
PSA: LISTEN AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION, because the music may be stuck in your head for weeks.
In all honesty, Turkish’s actual boarding music isn’t half bad either.
8. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines’ music is simply beautiful. There’s something about it that doesn’t feel quite as upbeat as some of the other boarding music out there, but it doesn’t get more calming than this. Singapore Airlines even has a Spotify channel where you can listen to boarding, landing, and lounge music.
9. Japan Airlines
This isn’t necessarily the best music to work to (given the vocals), but it’s a pretty cool song anyway. Japan Airlines has a theme song played during boarding that’s called “I Will Be There With You.” It was produced by Katharine McPhee and David Foster in 2008, and its introduction coincided with Japan Airlines launching 777-300ER flights to the United States. Hopefully the airline has a new track to coincide with the introduction of the A350-1000.
Bottom line
I’ve been listening to airline boarding music at home for years. It’s fantastic music to work to, because it’s relaxing without being distracting. There are so many great tracks out there, and I’d say on the average day I’m listening to this for at least a couple of hours while working.
I’d love to hear what other boarding music OMAAT readers enjoy! Ideally include links to the songs, because I’d love to add more music to my rotation.
@Ben Schlappig
Maybe it's too late to comment this, but JAL plays the instrumental version of 'I Will Be There With You' on board. With that, I see that to be better than Another Sky (which is still a great boarding music).
there is a new Singapore airlines song called "the symphony of flowers"
Great post. Never flown Emirates but that one was my favourite. What about Finnair, quite a different take?
Nobody chooses an airline based on their boarding music.
If you researched what you consider as the best boarding music, they are all classic music pieces.
True, but some classical pieces are better - sometimes much better - than others.
JAL actually has a version of the boarding music without lyrics that they play on all flights. That and ANA have the best boarding music imo.
I like the Thai Airways one.
I may be biased, but Hawaiian should be number 1.
I concur!
Shaka.
I am going to vote for the "old" United Airlines boarding music. Now, it usually only appears in safety videos (which are very clever); this link is therefore 2-in-1 at least at the beginning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcUJZYm4VNE). I probably heard it hundreds of times boarding UA flights, and hearing it again transports back as does the ANA boarding music.
The Turkish Airlines "Globally Yours" theme is indeed addictive, and i always enjoy it.
I thought this one would make the list. ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Hkpvs6W04&list=PLohYzz4btpaQBuj8FyHJdsQeh34yiDm77
Interesting that you bring this up. Recently, I took several flights on Delta and Virgin Atlantic. I really found the music to be intrusive- much too loud. It was almost aggression inducing rather than “soothing”- something, I would think, you would want to avoid in that environment. It was like a night club. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the music on Virgin, but with a midnight boarding time, I wasn’t in the mood and...
Interesting that you bring this up. Recently, I took several flights on Delta and Virgin Atlantic. I really found the music to be intrusive- much too loud. It was almost aggression inducing rather than “soothing”- something, I would think, you would want to avoid in that environment. It was like a night club. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the music on Virgin, but with a midnight boarding time, I wasn’t in the mood and had to ask the flight attendant to repeat herself because I could not hear her over the music.
Surprised no Rick-rolling yet! :)
The now defunct Jet airways - Ballad pour Adeline always made so feel so welcome
Ryanair! (I’m serious)
Their playlist varies on what time of the day it is, but it are all catchy tunes.
IMO, Etihad knocked it out of the park with both versions. Top two by a long margain.
You left out the best of them all - Virgin Atlantic. They have a different playlist depending on your departure time - one for departures in the evening/night and one for daytime departures. You can listen on Spotify if not flying and they are updated monthly. Always a good mix and one of myfavourite parts of flying with them!
For North American airlines, Delta has raised the bar when it comes to boarding music...
You left out the best of them all - Virgin Atlantic. They have a different playlist depending on your departure time - one for departures in the evening/night and one for daytime departures. You can listen on Spotify if not flying and they are updated monthly. Always a good mix and one of myfavourite parts of flying with them!
For North American airlines, Delta has raised the bar when it comes to boarding music and makes sense as they have a JV with Virgin Atlantic. You can listen on Spotify when not flying
Yes I like them all but of course as you would expect you left off the most iconic of them all;
https://youtu.be/7UvEcfjJboE
I agree!
I remember hearing that tune when I boarded on BA16 from Sydney to London. I didn't realise they had boarding music at the time. But when I heard it, I remembered hearing it on the BA advertising on TV when I was a child. It was like a momentary trip back to my childhood, which was rather pleasant and unexpected at the time.
(Admittedly it's not the sort of tune you can join in and sing along with, unless you have a better than average singing voice!)
That always transported me mentally from pre-flight hectic to soothing; I loved it and felt warmly welcomed when I flew BA to four continents, only twice for vacations the rest sadly all business travel. Of course BA is not what it used to be, and I no longer fly them, but you can't deny the music that welcomed you.
While you've probably not heard it, Finnair have a very relaxing album which comprises of all their produced music - I find it great to focus and work while listening to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlJs7KQTbgk&list=OLAK5uy_mCW-kNnrog79IUTn1FZRVBe5kNJumP6hY&ab_channel=Finnair-Topic
AF telepopmusik specially made song ‘world can be yours’ was cool too!
Etihad music still does it for me after a decade. Singapore Airlines is a very close second. And oh, my...I feel slightly embarrassed not knowing Nathan Cavaleri had a hand in QF's music, because I've known him for 29 years.