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Sounds from the Built Environment – World’s First Musical Track Composed from Airport Noises

Sounds from the Built Environment – World’s First Musical Track Composed from Airport Noises
29 July 2025 | Updated 30 July 2025
 

A music track composed entirely from everyday noises recorded at Heathrow Airport will be played throughout the terminals this summer.

Grammy-nominated musician and singer-songwriter Jordan Rakei sampled over 50 sounds from Heathrow Airport, after he was given unprecedented access to its airfield, baggage handling system and terminals.

 

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Based on Brian Eno’s “Music for Airports”, the ambient track mimics a passenger’s journey from check-in to take-off. It samples passenger footsteps, tannoy announcements and the hum of engines preparing for flight.  

It also includes a siren from baggage control, “dings” from lifts, water fountain noises, bag clanks and hits from the baggage belt and passport stamps. Sounds from airport movie scenes, such as the noise of Terminal 3’s security scanner when Sam runs to catch Joanna in Love Actually, also feature.

The track, which will be looped throughout Heathrow’s terminals this summer, is intended to complement passenger journeys, create pre-journey excitement and diffuse nervousness.

“As the best connected airport in the world, Heathrow is where countless summer holidays begin, and we hope tuning in will be the perfect start to our passengers’ well-deserved summer breaks,” said Lee Boyle, Head of Terminals (Services) at Heathrow.

Jordan Rakei added: “Having travelled all over the world for my music and spent a huge amount of time in airports, I’ve always loved that buzz that comes with the excitement and anticipation of travel. So, getting the chance to turn Heathrow’s many sounds into music was an honour.  

“I spent time in every part of the airport, recording so many sounds from baggage belts to boarding calls, and used them to create something that reflects that whole pre-flight vibe. It’s all about building suspense and setting the mood for wherever you're headed on your summer holiday.” 

Picture: a photograph of Jordan holding a boom microphone over a suitcase on a baggage carousel. Image Credit: Heathrow Airport

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 29 July 2025

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