Qatar Airways introduces Hans Zimmer's Burgundy Symphony onboard
Passengers on Qatar Airways have been hearing a new soundtrack by Hans Zimmer since November 6, 2026. The airline launched the five-track Burgundy Symphony at the composer's Doha concert and made the full album available to stream free on its YouTube channel.
Omar Al Nuaimi
A concert launch and a change onboard
The unveiling took place at the 974 Stadium Precinct, according to Visit Qatar. Concertgoers heard a preview of the tracks and watched a film made for the event about the music's creation.
One Mile at a Time reports that the score accompanies boarding and landing, replacing music by Qatari composer Dana Al Fardan. Her pieces previously used by the airline were "The Awakening," "The Dawn" and "The Ascent." The site's writer expressed sadness that they would no longer be played.
The music follows another onboard addition: Qatar Airways has equipped more than 150 widebody aircraft with Starlink. The airline serves more than 170 destinations this winter.
The places and moments behind the five tracks
Qatar Airways describes the music as "inspired by Qatar and its culture" and Burgundy Symphony as "a bespoke five-track album that encapsulates the airline's wider sound identity".
The album's themes range from setting out to returning home. Dawn evokes the anticipation of new horizons, while Dusk captures a calm flight above the clouds as daylight gives way to a starry sky. Homecoming focuses on the return home and the memories that remain after landing.
The Orchard takes its inspiration from the ORCHARD, Hamad International Airport's indoor tropical garden, and represents a pause for restoration. Passengers can visit the setting behind the track; the airline describes the garden as "one of Hamad International Airport's most distinctive passenger experiences".
An Ode to Qatar pays tribute to both the country's heritage and its vision for the future.
An audio identity beyond the cabin
The launch follows a partnership announced on July 23, 2025. Qatar Airways presented the collaboration as a long-term relationship with Zimmer and the introduction of a new audio identity, rather than solely a replacement for its onboard music.
At the time, Luxurylaunches reported that the planned uses extended to lounges, boarding experiences, safety films and in-flight entertainment, as well as commercials, social media and the airline's mobile app.
Zimmer had worked on a similar use of sound outside film before. Luxurylaunches noted that he previously co-designed audio branding for BMW's electric vehicles, using sound to shape people's experience of an environment.
YouTube availability and streaming plans
Qatar Airways' July 2025 announcement said the score would be used onboard and released as a complete album through major streaming platforms and the airline's own channels. The YouTube release now lets listeners hear all five tracks without taking a flight.
The broader streaming rollout remains unspecified. Travel PR News notes that the latest announcement provides no release schedule, and Qatar Airways has not confirmed whether Burgundy Symphony will be available on Spotify or Apple Music. The airline has also not detailed which tracks passengers will hear at each stage onboard.
