Qatar Airways has introduced a new signature soundtrack, which can be heard on flights as of today. As someone who cares so much about airline boarding music that I keep a list of my favorite tunes, it’s something I’m both excited and sad about…
Qatar Airways partners with Hans Zimmer on new music
Qatar Airways has partnered with Oscar and Grammy award-winning composer Hans Zimmer for a new sonic identity for the airline, featuring a signature sound “that will elevate the passenger experience onboard and beyond.” This collaboration was first announced back in July 2025, but the music has now been released, as of November 2026.
You’re almost certainly familiar with Zimmer’s work, even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, as his music has been featured in everything from The Lion King, to Gladiator, to Pirates of the Caribbean, to The Da Vinci Code.
This new music will be played as the boarding and landing music on Qatar Airways flights, and will also be released as a full musical album on major streaming platforms, and across the carrier’s social channels.
The music is described as being “inspired by Qatar and its culture,” and it features a “Burgundy Symphony” album, which is a five-track album that encapsulates the airline’s wider sound identity and signature sound elements.
The album is intended to capture the rhythm of travel through five original tracks, each reflecting a different stage of the journey:
- “Dawn opens the collection with a sense of anticipation and possibility experienced when stepping beyond the daily routine and discovering new horizons”
- “Dusk reflects the tranquillity of flight as daylight fades and travellers are carried above the clouds beneath a sky illuminated by stars”
- “The Orchard introduces a restorative pause, inspired by moments of calm and reflection amidst the pace of everyday life,” and “the inspiration for the composition is drawn from the sense of escape offered by the ORCHARD – one of Hamad International Airport’s most distinctive passenger experiences”
- “Homecoming reflects the quiet gift of returning home and the small but lasting ways travel enriches life,” and “the track encapsulates the adventure continues beyond touchdown, with memories of places and skies keeping moments of wonder alive long after the journey ends
- “An Ode to Qatar concludes the album with a tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision,” and “the piece brings together a sense of history, culture, and ambition, reflecting a country where tradition and progress exist in harmony”
You can hear the entire album below, with all five tracks (in order). The music is no doubt beautiful, don’t get me wrong — Zimmer is a generational talent, who has arguably revolutionized the sound of modern cinema.
But I just somehow don’t find it to be as distinctive as the previous track. But maybe my feelings about that will change over time. I will say, the music is incredibly relaxing, and I’ll definitely be listening to this in the background while working.
I’m both happy and sad to see this development
As someone who loves airline boarding music, I’m of course delighted when airlines invest money into that aspect of the passenger experience (and my gosh, I can’t imagine how much money Qatar Airways is spending to get a whole album of Hans Zimmer music). It shows such an attention to detail that you don’t find on many airlines.
That being said, I adore Qatar Airways’ old boarding music, created by 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.”
So I’m sad to hear that these will no longer be played, though at the same time, the new tracks are lovely as well. I can’t help but wonder if this development is almost a competitive response to airline startup Riyadh Air, which revealed its high profile brand sonic before even launching operations.
We know the two carriers are sort of going at one another, with Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas having stated that it’s “haram” that “the number one premium passenger for Qatar Airways, are Saudi nationals,” and Qatar Airways has responded with some pretty shady ads.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways has partnered with Hans Zimmer on its new sonic identity, including the introduction of a new boarding music track. As a self proclaimed connoisseur of boarding music, I’m very excited to see this collaboration, though I’ll miss Dana Al Fardan’s trilogy. Oh well, I guess I can always still listen to it at home!
What do you make of Qatar Airways partnering with Hans Zimmer?
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