I'm crew with VA, and I'm independently putting forward ideas on the choice of music chosen as part of VA's boarding/disembarkation music.
I'd love to get your input on the style of music you'd prefer to hear when stepping onboard your next Virgin Australia flight.
Would you prefer a combination of more classical, low-key folky type music, or how would you feel hearing more downtempo/non vocal/uplifting Chill-out styled music. And do you think this type of music would be suitable to the VA brand and guests combined?
Not sure what Virgin plays these days but I recall a lot of Rat Pack-style music – not just Sinatra and co but Tony Bennett, modern versions by the likes of Megan Washington and kd lang – that's very much my style and I think it plays nicely into that 'glamour of flying' image which Virgin was promoting some time back.
I'd also be good with 'downtempo' chill, too... I think anything that's not going to feel like it's 'forcing itself' on travellers is a good choice, it needs to be gentle and relaxing but still have character, otherwise it's juist elevator muzak.
Whatever music an airline plays needs to fit the airline's brand and image. I don't see anything wrong with 'down-tempo' chill music, it's cool and has a nice relaxing vibe.
Does Virgin have any special desire to play Aussie artists? Just wondering. Makes no difference to me, really, as long as the boarding music isn't too loud and doesn't bother me, I guess that means it's sort of going to be "middle of the road". But nothing wrong with classics from the 70s, Fleetwood Mac etc.
In the 70's, TAA (Australian Airlines) and Ansett would play Astrud Gilberto/Burt Bacharach Music. Thus Bossa Nova or Chill Out lounge Style Music, which is relaxing, yet feels sophisticated in a way on your entry. Its as if you were escaping from the world, taking a break/holiday or entering a cocktail party/dinner or relaxing on the beach (going on holidays). When entering the aircraft after the rush and stress of getting to your flight? Bosa Nova/Lounge music, makes you chill and feel you can rest for the time you have before arriving/landing back to the reality of the world.
I wish you well in finding the right mix. Sometimes heading back to what worked in the past still works. With all the distractions and frustrations we all have to endue daily, a simple relaxing tune can sometime make people feel a sense of escaping the world of reality.
In the 70's, TAA (Australian Airlines) and Ansett would play Astrud Gilberto/Burt Bacharach Music. Thus Bossa Nova or Chill Out lounge Style Music, which is relaxing, yet feels sophisticated in a way on your entry. Its as if you were escaping from the world, taking a break/holiday or entering a cocktail party/dinner or relaxing on the beach (going on holidays). When entering the aircraft after the rush and stress of getting to your flight? Bosa Nova/Lounge music, makes you chill and feel you can rest for the time you have before arriving/landing back to the reality of the world.
I wish you well in finding the right mix. Sometimes heading back to what worked in the past still works. With all the distractions and frustrations we all have to endue daily, a simple relaxing tune can sometime make people feel a sense of escaping the world of reality.
I absolutely love your response and couldnt agree more! Entering an aircraft should be a relaxing experience, even if you haven't had a chaotic day, getting to your aircraft through the airport can be tough enough! Thanks again for your feedback :)
I'll never forget an evening SYD-MEL flight I took just after the transition to VA, and was blown away by the relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere of the cabin, with the jazz-style boarding music particularly memorable. The service was particularly friendly, and if VA would be able to constantly cultivate that sort of environment I would seriously reconsider my loyalty to QF. It seems trivial but a unique mood and service identity like that is probably the biggest differentiating factor between a positive and negative flight - particularly on domestic routes.
Chill out style without being elevator style. As mentioned above, light classical, bossa nova, jazz, swing, easy listening.
Some airlines play a single elevator music type track for boarding and disembarkation, so that is a minimum of one hour of the same poorly arranged offensively inoffensive track..... no....please no....
I can remember TAA DC9 and 727 jets playing an instrumental version of El Passo when boarding and for blast off to help combat those T-Jets screaming engines.
Not sure if the Hostesses gave out the cotton wool wads for helping to deafen the engine noise or the on-board music!!! I'm humming that endless tune over and over, El Passo, bring it back.
JohnAU
JohnAU
Member since 01 Jun 2017
Total posts 3
Hey everyone!
Looking forward to reading what you think ;)
ianparkinson62
ianparkinson62
Member since 27 Jun 2013
Total posts 8
Silence.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,016
Hi John, and thanks for dropping by :)
JohnAU
JohnAU
Member since 01 Jun 2017
Total posts 3
That's great feedback David, thank you! And I agree, music that doesn't force itself is key!
RealKid
RealKid
Member since 20 May 2014
Total posts 91
I think you're missing the obvious.
"Like a Virgin."
On Repeat.
The whole flight.
David Robertson
David Robertson
Member since 13 Sep 2016
Total posts 12
Whatever music an airline plays needs to fit the airline's brand and image. I don't see anything wrong with 'down-tempo' chill music, it's cool and has a nice relaxing vibe.
John Odlum
John Odlum
Member since 13 Sep 2016
Total posts 15
Does Virgin have any special desire to play Aussie artists? Just wondering. Makes no difference to me, really, as long as the boarding music isn't too loud and doesn't bother me, I guess that means it's sort of going to be "middle of the road". But nothing wrong with classics from the 70s, Fleetwood Mac etc.
djcz
djcz
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Feb 2014
Total posts 130
I feel as Frank Sinatra's 'Come fly with me', would suit the Virgin Brand.
TAADC9
TAADC9
Member since 10 Feb 2012
Total posts 1
In the 70's, TAA (Australian Airlines) and Ansett would play Astrud Gilberto/Burt Bacharach Music. Thus Bossa Nova or Chill Out lounge Style Music, which is relaxing, yet feels sophisticated in a way on your entry. Its as if you were escaping from the world, taking a break/holiday or entering a cocktail party/dinner or relaxing on the beach (going on holidays). When entering the aircraft after the rush and stress of getting to your flight? Bosa Nova/Lounge music, makes you chill and feel you can rest for the time you have before arriving/landing back to the reality of the world.
JohnAU
JohnAU
Member since 01 Jun 2017
Total posts 3
dwrdlxe
dwrdlxe
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jun 2017
Total posts 4
I'll never forget an evening SYD-MEL flight I took just after the transition to VA, and was blown away by the relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere of the cabin, with the jazz-style boarding music particularly memorable. The service was particularly friendly, and if VA would be able to constantly cultivate that sort of environment I would seriously reconsider my loyalty to QF. It seems trivial but a unique mood and service identity like that is probably the biggest differentiating factor between a positive and negative flight - particularly on domestic routes.
Tancho
Tancho
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 31 Jan 2013
Total posts 38
Chill out style without being elevator style. As mentioned above, light classical, bossa nova, jazz, swing, easy listening.
sgb
sgb
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
Member since 30 Nov 2015
Total posts 419
I can remember TAA DC9 and 727 jets playing an instrumental version of El Passo when boarding and for blast off to help combat those T-Jets screaming engines.
sgb
sgb
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
Member since 30 Nov 2015
Total posts 419
Not sure if the Hostesses gave out the cotton wool wads for helping to deafen the engine noise or the on-board music!!! I'm humming that endless tune over and over, El Passo, bring it back.
Trogdor
Trogdor
Member since 11 Dec 2015
Total posts 5
I think you're missing the obvious.
"Like a Virgin."
On Repeat.
The whole flight.
Love it!.
However if people wanted just a little more variety, they could always intersperse it with "Higher with You" by The Screaming Jets