LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – July 13, 2025 — UK travelers heading through Heathrow Airport this summer are in for an entirely new sensory experience, as globally acclaimed artist and producer Jordan Rakei unveils a specially commissioned ambient soundtrack designed to transform the atmosphere of one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
Titled Music for Heathrow, the original track is now being played across all terminals at Heathrow. It blends over 50 real sound samples collected directly from the airport—including airplane engines, baggage carousels, departure lounge announcements, and even the hum of air traffic control. Rakei has turned these everyday sounds into a captivating, immersive audio journey that both celebrates and enhances the modern travel experience.
Inspired by Brian Eno, Tailored for Heathrow
The concept behind Music for Heathrow draws inspiration from Brian Eno’s iconic 1979 album “Music for Airports”, which pioneered the use of ambient music in public spaces to reduce travel anxiety. However, unlike Eno’s work, Rakei’s composition aims to evoke excitement and anticipation, capturing the emotional buildup of departure and exploration rather than soothing anxiety alone.
Rakei, known for his genre-blending style, uses a combination of digitally simulated instruments and natural airport audio to create a track that reflects the real-life rhythms of travel. The roar of a jet engine is reimagined as a rising synth note; the beep of a boarding gate scanner becomes a percussive beat; and even the subtle rustle of luggage is woven into a melody that evokes motion and departure.
A Soundtrack Built from the Heart of the Airport
The track was meticulously composed using samples recorded across Heathrow’s terminals, gates, and tarmacs. Key areas captured include:
- Runway takeoff zones for ambient engine roars
- Baggage handling systems for rhythmic clatters and thuds
- Customs and security checkpoints, where scanner sounds and buzzers add sonic texture
- Departure lounges, including the familiar “ding” of Tannoy announcements
What results is a musical interpretation of the airport’s energy—one that elevates everyday sounds into a harmonic celebration of travel.
Pop Culture Meets Passenger Experience
Adding a touch of nostalgia, Rakei cleverly incorporates audio references from iconic cinematic airport scenes, including sound snippets reminiscent of Love Actually and Bend It Like Beckham. These cultural nods are seamlessly interwoven into the track, appealing to frequent flyers and film lovers alike.
By referencing scenes familiar to travelers, the music enhances emotional connectivity with the space, making Heathrow feel not just like a stopover, but part of the journey itself.
Stream It Anywhere, Experience It Live at Heathrow
Music for Heathrow is now live across all terminals and can also be streamed via Jordan Rakei’s SoundCloud, allowing passengers and fans worldwide to experience the audio art project from the comfort of their homes. Whether preparing for an upcoming flight or reminiscing about a past trip, listeners can tap into the unique sounds of Heathrow and enjoy an imaginative reworking of a familiar environment.
The collaboration reflects a growing global trend of sonic branding in aviation, where airports and airlines use music to create distinctive travel environments. Heathrow joins a list of innovators that includes Riyadh Air, which recently launched its Sound of a New Era soundtrack as part of a broader initiative to build emotional resonance with passengers.
Heathrow’s Commitment to Innovative Passenger Experiences
According to Heathrow’s commercial director Ross Baker, the project marks a bold step in the airport’s ongoing mission to enhance passenger experience.
“We believe music has the power to transform travel. Jordan’s work captures not just the motion of the airport, but the emotional heartbeat of the journey. We’re proud to offer something that brings comfort, energy, and beauty to our terminals.”
Heathrow handles over 200,000 passengers daily during the summer season, and initiatives like this highlight how sensory design and innovation are increasingly central to shaping memorable travel experiences.
Sound as a Gateway to Emotional Connection
In an era of fast-moving terminals, tight schedules, and heightened security procedures, sound is an often-overlooked element of airport design. Yet, as Rakei’s collaboration with Heathrow shows, it can have a profound emotional impact.
Music can soften the stress of travel, heighten anticipation, and even provide a sense of place. Whether it’s the rhythmic hum of engines or the chime before a boarding call, these auditory moments can now become an integral part of the journey.
A New Chapter in Airport Atmosphere Design
Heathrow’s partnership with Jordan Rakei is not just an artistic endeavor—it’s a sign of what’s to come in the future of travel. As airports seek to engage passengers on a deeper, more emotional level, multi-sensory strategies like ambient soundtracks are gaining prominence.
Travelers passing through Heathrow this summer will now experience not just a world-class facility, but a thoughtfully designed sonic environment—one that amplifies the joy of travel and redefines how an airport can feel.
Whether it’s your first flight or your hundredth, Jordan Rakei’s Music for Heathrow offers a new way to connect with the journey ahead. In turning the everyday sounds of air travel into a living composition, this collaboration proves that the art of flying begins well before takeoff.
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