Heathrow Airport, the UK’s largest flight hub, is making changes to enhance the overall airport experience for travelers. The airport has commissioned a new “mood-matching” sound mix that will be played throughout the terminals this summer. This initiative comes in the wake of a disastrous offsite fire in March, as Heathrow aims to revamp its image and provide a more captivating airport atmosphere for passengers.

Named “Music for Heathrow,” the new soundtrack is designed to evoke feelings of excitement and anticipation, aiming to kickstart passengers’ holiday spirits. Lee Boyle, the head of the airport’s terminals, asserts that nothing compares to the thrill of embarking on a summer holiday, and this soundtrack captures those sentiments perfectly. The airport has enlisted Grammy-nominated musician and producer Jordan Rakei to create the soundtrack, utilizing sounds from both the airport environment and famous movie scenes.

Drawing inspiration from Brian Eno’s ambient music album “Music for Airports,” released in 1979, the new Heathrow soundtrack is crafted to provide a calming influence on listeners while seamlessly blending into the background. Rakei spent time recording various sounds within the airport, including boarding calls, baggage belts, and security scanner beeps, to encapsulate the pre-flight ambiance. The recording also incorporates sounds like planes taking off and landing, chatter, and the ding of a lift, aiming to offer a sensory experience that some may find soothing or trigger ASMR sensations.

This innovative approach raises questions about the necessity of additional background noises in an airport setting, where passengers are already surrounded by the hustle and bustle of travel preparations. With the “Music for Heathrow” soundtrack, Heathrow Airport seeks to transform the usual airport sounds into a curated auditory experience that adds to the anticipation and excitement of embarking on a journey

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More