Heathrow Airport has teamed up with Grammy-nominated musician and producer Jordan Rakei to release a groundbreaking new composition made entirely from airport sounds. Titled Music for Heathrow, the track is designed to capture the emotional build-up of a summer holiday — from check-in to takeoff — using over 50 real-life audio samples recorded across the airport.
The composition pays homage to Brian Eno’s iconic 1979 album Music for Airports, the record credited with creating the ambient music genre. But while Eno’s piece was contemplative and atmospheric, Rakei’s interpretation brings in the tangible energy of modern travel: the ding-dong of tannoy announcements, the rhythm of passport stamps, and even the hum of engines revving on the runway.
Granted rare access to the full workings of Europe’s busiest airport, Rakei transformed:
a plane’s takeoff roar into an arpeggiated synth,
a baggage control siren into a soft pad,
the sound of bags hitting belts and passports being stamped into percussive textures, and
a water fountain into ambient, ASMR-like layers.
“It was like turning Heathrow into my recording studio,” said Rakei. “Airports are full of anticipation, motion, and humanity — and I wanted to channel that into a sound that sets the tone for the start of someone’s holiday.”
Split into four seamless movements, the composition mirrors the airport journey: from arrival and check-in to boarding and takeoff. It’s been looping quietly throughout Heathrow’s terminals since early July and is available for all travelers to experience as part of the airport’s Summer of Music.
Rakei, known for hits like Midnight Mischief and Borderline, is also Abbey Road Studios’ first-ever artist in residence. His latest project builds on his signature blend of warm production, live instrumentation, and emotional nuance — only this time, with the airport itself as the instrument.
Adding a pop culture twist, the track includes audio nods to Heathrow’s cinematic moments: the beeps from Terminal 3’s scanner (from Love Actually), footsteps in Terminal 2 (Bend It Like Beckham), and the **runway hum featured in James Bond’s Die Another Day).
With 250,000 passengers expected daily this summer, Heathrow hopes the soundtrack will help set the mood and ease travel stress. “There’s nothing quite like the buzz of starting your holiday,” said Lee Boyle, Heathrow’s Head of Terminals. “Jordan has captured that magic using the real sounds of Heathrow — from the smallest lift ding to the roar of takeoff.”
Music for Heathrow is just the beginning of a season-long celebration of sound. The airport will host live performances every Friday in July, featuring acts like The Cash Cows and Urban Cellist, bringing rhythm and relaxation to every corner of the terminal.
Whether flying to New York, Dubai, Barbados, Greece, Malaysia, or Slovenia, Heathrow wants every trip to start not just with a boarding pass — but with a beat.
Jordan Rakei’s Music for Heathrow is available on Soundcloud and in Heathrow terminals now. https://soundcloud.com/jordan-rakei/music-for-heathrow/s-bVoMIOV1mQV?si=32c2e03624ef41f394033b372fd4e5c5&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Watch the film on Heathrow’s YouTube: https://youtu.be/t4GlqNKLzUg
