Qatar Airways partners with composer Dana Al Fardan for new inflight theme music

Qatar Airways has unveiled a new theme song for its flights in collaboration with Dana Al Fardan, the airline’s official composer. The track, titled ‘The Ascent,’ aims to create a captivating atmosphere for passengers during their journey. Travelers can enjoy this music through the Qatar Airways Oryx One Inflight Entertainment service, performed by members of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dana Al Fardan first joined forces with the airline in 2016 to produce onboard theme music, which has since gained popularity, becoming synonymous with Qatar Airways’ brand identity. The airline sees Fardan’s compositions as a symbol of luxurious travel. Qatar Airways Group CEO, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, expressed his pride in Dana Al Fardan’s work and the impact it has had on the airline’s image.

The newly released ‘The Ascent’ follows two previous theme songs featured on Qatar Airways flights, namely ‘The Awakening’ and ‘The Dawn.’ These compositions blend classical instruments like the piano, violin, viola, and cello with Arabic elements, offering a soothing and culturally rich musical experience for passengers. Instruments like the Ney and Rababa, both Arabic in origin, were also incorporated to add unique depth to the music.

Dana Al Fardan, explaining her approach to composition, said, “As a composer, I really want to capture the sounds from my country and explore the nuances of different Arabic instruments, rhythmic patterns, and flourishes. The idea is to preserve the authenticity of one style of sound and build it into another in a way that fits without one having to accommodate the other by deconstructing itself.”

All three songs, including ‘The Ascent,’ will be available on major streaming platforms in an EP titled ‘Trilogy of the Ascent,’ which will be released to the public soon. This collection symbolizes the evolution of Qatar Airways’ brand over the past six years and is described as reflecting a spirit that constantly aspires to greater heights of knowledge.

Dana Al Fardan is an accomplished composer and musician, having performed at London’s iconic Theatre Royal Haymarket and composed for musicals such as “Broken Wings” and “Rumi: The Musical.” Her work has received acclaim, and ‘The Ascent’ marks another milestone in her career.

‘The Ascent’ is significant for Qatar Airways as it represents new beginnings and exciting journeys following its role as the Official Airline Partner of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The airline reported a substantial $1.2 billion full-year profit earlier this year, underlining its continued success.

In addition to the new theme song, Qatar Airways’ Oryx One Inflight Entertainment system offers passengers access to over 7,000 entertainment options, including the latest movies and TV programs, and more than 2,000 music choices from various artists, ensuring a rich and enjoyable inflight experience for travelers.