I’ve long been a fan of American Airlines’ legacy pop piano boarding music, but the time has come for a change, and today, American Airlines has announced a new series of tunes to fill the cabin upon boarding and disembarking.
According to the March AA employee newsletter:
In October, American replaced its previous playlists of piano versions of chart-topping pop songs with a surprisingly edgy mix of indie music. The new tunes feature contemporary acts such as The XX, Moby, The Postal Service, Bon Iver and Haim.
The decision to change to the lesser-known indie music was a reaction to customers’ complaints, which included boredom. So, we took the risk of playing something different − and it’s paying off. Since the switch, complaints about our cabin music have decreased, and compliments have increased, according to a social media analysis.
Even one of the bassists for Kings of Leon is enjoying the new tunes.
I’ve always been a fan of the pop piano music – which will always have a place in my heart, but admittedly, the new tunes aren’t half bad. Heck, I even have a playlist on my phone with the new stuff!
Want to know what’s playing?
Here’s what’s playing while you board the aircraft:
- Chillout
Ice Dream - The XX
Crystalised - Jens Buchert
Hermetic Laws - Phantogram
When I’m Small - Amberland
Obelisk - Lykke Li
I Follow Rivers - Jens Buchert
Dawn Rider - M83
Wait
Here’s what’s playing when you arrive:
- Foster the People
I Would Do Anything for You - Hozier
From Eden - Wild Cub
Thunder Clatter - Real Estate
Snow Days - Little Dragon
Ritual Union - Lykke Li
No Rest For The Wicked - Cayucas
Cayucos - Future Islands
Seasons (Waiting on You) - Small Black
No Stranger - Peter Black
Soon - Broken Bells
After the Disco - The Shins
New Slang - Little Joy
The Next Time Around - Ivan & Alyosha
Running For Cover
Here’s what you can expect on the April playlist – a sneak peak!
- Washed Out
Amor Fati - Moby
Swear - Broken Bells
Perfect World - The XX
Fiction - Parra for Cuva (ft. Anna Naklab)
Wicked Games - Taken By Trees
Dreams - Passion Pit
Moth’s Wings - Washed Out
Feel It All Around
You can listen to these here on a Mac, or here on a PC.
My Take
The new music isn’t half bad, and is modern enough, yet “old-school” enough to keep on the American tradition. It’s calm, soothing, and a good upbeat nature for boarding.
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
You’ve been a fan of that spa s*** they’ve been playing?? You’re probably a fan of the McCormick they serve in the lounge 😛
You hereby have permission to play the new boarding music at our event because it’s awesome
Don’t worry, I already have a playlist created. 😉
This Delta guy is flying AA to FTU….perhaps they’ll play the spa **** for me. ;P
Welcome to the dAArk side! 🙂
It’s a place I’ve been before. 😀
Oh, yeah! Welcome back!
Delta is playing “Take your money and run!”
What a relief. As a flight attendant I was hearing those piano pop songs with the repeating melodies, which was torture without lyrics. Instead of doing my job I was looking for ways to end my misery. Now I come to work looking forward to what I’m going to hear. Nice job. This playlist exposes mainstream audiences to more talented and creative listening they otherwise wouldn’t hear. Co-workers no longer complain and are curious to know the artists. Thank you!!!
Where can I find these playlists? I just flew on Sept 30th on US Air/AA – I loved every song on the boarding playlist. The attendants couldn’t help me when I asked how I could find out who the artists were. Thanks!
Try Shazam.
i take a flight from Miami to Orlando and boarding music was KYGO , really good music!