Songs to Put You on Airplane Mode: Finnair Believes Music Should Be as Important as In-Flight Snacks

Why It Matters

Auditory branding can directly influence passenger emotions, boosting loyalty and setting Finnair apart in a crowded market. It also signals a shift toward multisensory travel experiences across the aviation industry.

Key Takeaways

• Finnair commissioned original 45‑minute orchestral soundscape.
• Composer Lauri Porra used Finnish instruments and symphony orchestra.
• Tracks align with boarding, take‑off, descent, and arrival phases.
• Sound aims to lower anxiety and enhance brand loyalty.
• Music released publicly, extending Finnair’s sonic identity.

Pulse Analysis

Airlines have long focused on visual and olfactory cues—cabin lighting, scents, and seat design—to craft a premium experience. Finnair’s decision to develop a custom soundscape pushes the sensory envelope further, treating music not as background filler but as a core brand touchpoint. By collaborating with Lauri Porra, a composer steeped in Finnish musical tradition, the carrier creates a uniquely identifiable auditory signature that passengers cannot encounter elsewhere, reinforcing its national identity while differentiating its service offering.

Research in environmental psychology shows that tempo, harmony, and timbre can modulate heart rate, perceived waiting time, and spatial awareness. Finnair’s 12‑track suite is deliberately sequenced to mirror the flight timeline, using slower, soothing passages during boarding and take‑off to ease anxiety, then shifting to brighter motifs for descent and arrival to evoke a sense of resolution. The inclusion of indigenous instruments like the kantele adds cultural depth, while the orchestral backdrop ensures a cinematic quality that can subtly elevate the perceived value of the journey.

From a business perspective, owning the music grants Finnair full control over licensing costs and the ability to extend the soundtrack onto streaming platforms, turning a fleeting in‑flight moment into a lasting brand interaction. This strategy may inspire other carriers to explore bespoke audio experiences as a low‑cost, high‑impact loyalty driver. As passengers become more attuned to holistic travel environments, sound could emerge as a competitive frontier, reshaping how airlines design and market their cabins.