The sounds of (not) silence

Heathrow Airport’s recent attempt to curate a "bespoke" travel atmosphere through a specialized soundtrack highlights the evolving legacy of Brian Eno’s 1977 concept, *Music for Airports*. While Eno’s original ambient work sought to provide a soothing alternative to the "cheesy pop" and mechanical noise of German terminals, Heathrow’s 2023 collaboration with producer Jordan Rackay took a literal approach by incorporating actual airport sounds—such as jet engines and luggage carousels—into the composition. This creative choice drew significant skepticism from commentators who questioned the utility of playing recorded airport noises to passengers already experiencing them in real time. Despite promotional claims that the music helped travelers "tune into their trip," the project appears to have been short-lived. The absence of the soundtrack during the current summer season suggests that the airport may have pivoted away from the experiment following mixed public reception.