London City Airport has become the first airport in the UK to play music for passengers as they go through the airport’s main security search area.
Two different playlists are rotated throughout the day with songs especially selected by music consultancy C-Burn. Musical artists are grouped into either ambient electronica or upbeat acoustic music and include Adele, Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard, Jason Mraz, and Gavin James.
Melanie Burnley, director of customer experience at London City Airport, said, “It takes passengers just 20 minutes or less to get from the front door of London City Airport to the departure lounge, and we wanted to enhance the customer experience with a soundtrack to security. So far we’ve had a very positive reaction to the musical addition – from staff and passengers alike – with Ed Sheeran currently the most popular artist.”
Music psychologist Dr Stephanie Bramley, an Honorary Research Fellow in the Psychology of Music at the University of Sheffield, claims that the background music may have a positive impact on passengers and create an appropriate atmosphere for the security search area while passengers proceed through the screening lanes.
Dr Bramley said, “Music is a flexible resource which can be used to serve a number of functions in retail and commercial environments. In an airport, playing music which is subtle, fits in with the overall ambiance of the security search area, is deemed to be familiar, and liked by passengers, might act as a positive distraction where passengers focus on the music instead of the time spent completing the security search process. The music at London City Airport may also enhance passenger experience by helping to create a pleasant environment and potentially improving their mood.”