The Best Airline Boarding Music: Here Are My 13 Picks (Yes, I’m Weird)

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…

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 want to make an updated list with my favorite airline boarding music, since airlines are constantly updating their tracks, and we’ve even seen some fun new ones introduced in recent times. If you’re someone who works from home (or can play music while working), I think airline boarding music makes fantastic background music — it’s relaxing without being distracting.

Before I share my list, let me just say that I’m trying to objectively judge boarding music here based on my own listening preferences, and this isn’t in any way intended to be political (since someone will likely point out that a lot of Gulf carriers are on the list). I don’t care whether the music comes from Frontier Airlines, Shandong Airlines, or Wizz Air…

With that out of the way, below is 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. As a matter of fact, the airline introduced a trilogy of tracks, released over time. The music was created by a local Qatari composer, Dana Al Fardan, and I just find it to be so incredibly calming and relaxing.

The initial track was “The Awakening,” the second track was “The Dawn,” and the third track was “The Ascent.” You can find them below in chronological order. I’m not sure which I love most, as they’re all so great.

If you fly Qatar Airways, you’ll see that the inflight entertainment system has a cool 15-minute video about Dana Al Fardan, which I enjoyed watching.

2. Cathay Pacific

In mid-2024, Cathay Pacific introduced its new boarding music track, called “Song of Cathay.” As it’s described, the boarding music is supposed to capture “the spirit of Move Beyond” and “the beating heart of Hong Kong.” The boarding music was created in partnership with Sixième Son, a sonic branding agency, and I always look forward to hearing this on Cathay Pacific flights.

3. Riyadh Air

Airline startup Riyadh Air has great attention to detail, and that includes the airline putting out a brand sonic before it even launched operations. A modified version of this acts as boarding music. As the airline describes it, the track is “the sound of a new era,” and it “beautifully blends our Saudi heritage with our vision for the future of travel.”

This was created in collaboration with The Saudi Commission of Music and The Saudi National Orchestra, and 13 musicians of 12 nationalities came together to create this musical piece. This was composed and recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London.

I really wish the airline would publish a longer version of this online, as I’d absolutely listen to it in the background.

4. 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.

Then there’s the latest track that was introduced in 2021, which is nice, but my least favorite of the three.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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. I still have to keep it on the list, though, as it’s such an iconic track, at least to me.

8. Saudia Airlines

A couple of years ago, Saudia unveiled its new brand sonic, which also acts as boarding music on the airline. Much like on Riyadh Air, it’s a really lovely, relaxing track, and somehow feels modern while still having a “cultural” vibe.

9. All Nippon Airways

When I listen to the below track I close my eyes and imagine myself boarding ANA first class, and get excited at the thought of visiting Japan. It’s one of the tracks that immediately gives me the strongest association to an airline.

10. Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines introduced its current boarding music track in 2020, and it’s one I very much enjoy. As it’s described, it “features a diverse medley of sounds from the kompang, gamelan, erhu, and sitar,” and it offers a “taste of Malaysia through a beautiful harmony that reflects the country’s score of diverse cultures.”

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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. The airline is still playing this — I’m surprised they didn’t introduce a new track to coincide with the introduction of the Airbus A350-1000, the carrier’s new flagship, long haul aircraft.

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.