Finnair unveils Matkantekijä music by Lauri Porra

Finnair will deploy the new Matkantekijä soundscape across its fleet and lounges starting 27 February, with staged rollouts on international services—initially impacting routes serving the UK and Ireland and extending to digital channels, customer service touchpoints, and in-airport lounges.

Operational rollout and service touchpoints

The implementation plan integrates the new music into multiple operational layers: onboard cabin audio (boarding and ambient playlists), lounge sound systems, marketing channels, and customer service hold and notification tones. Implementation required coordination between Finnair's cabin operations, inflight entertainment (IFE) vendors, and digital marketing teams to ensure consistent audio branding across analog and digital platforms.

Key deployment details

• Start date: 27 February (first aircraft)
• Channels: Onboard boarding music, lounge audio, marketing assets, customer service touchpoints
• Geographies: Phased visibility for UK and Irish customers, then broader international rollouts
• Distribution: Release on streaming platforms including Spotify concurrent with onboard rollout

Rollout timeline

About the composition and artistic intent

The Matkantekijä album was composed by Finnish musician and composer Lauri Porra, a fourth-generation musician and the great-grandson of composer Jean Sibelius. The album includes a main work and several shorter pieces designed to evoke the Finnish mindscape and the atmosphere of travel. Traditional Finnish instruments such as the jouhikko (bowed lyre) and the kantele (Finnish zither) are used alongside modern arrangements to create a sound that emphasizes simplicity and space for listener interpretation.

Composer background and influences

Lauri Porra has a diverse musical background, collaborating across genres and performing with the Finnish metal band Stratovarius. His work for Finnair draws on personal travel experiences and Finnish nature, aiming to give passengers a “peaceful space” to tune into their upcoming journey.

Audio branding choices

The composition strategy reflects a deliberate choice to use cultural authenticity as a brand differentiator. Simplicity in arrangement and traditional instrumentation has been prioritized to make the music versatile across contexts—from a quiet lounge to the boarding process—while leaving interpretive room for passengers.

Passenger experience, safety and regulatory considerations

Integrating a new soundscape across flight operations requires cross-functional checks: compatibility with safety announcements, auditory clarity during boarding, and accessibility considerations (e.g., ensuring music does not mask critical messages). The staged deployment allows Finnair to monitor passenger feedback, check compliance with aviation audio standards, and refine balance between ambience and operational cues.

• Ensure safety announcements remain clearly audible over ambient tracks
• Confirm audio levels and equalization across different cabin zones
• Test lounge systems for consistent playback and licensing coverage
• Coordinate with marketing and legal teams on streaming releases and rights management

Brief historical context

Finnair's renewed focus on Finnishness comes as part of a broader brand update published in November. With more than a century of operations—over 102 years in service—Finnair has consistently positioned itself as a national carrier linking Finland to global markets. Cultural elements have periodically been woven into airline branding as carriers seek to provide distinctive experiences that reflect origin markets.

Musical identity has precedent across aviation; several airlines have adopted signature tunes, boarding music and sonic logos to strengthen recognition and mood-setting. In Finnair’s case, commissioning a Finnish composer with direct lineage to Jean Sibelius aligns the airline’s sonic identity with national cultural heritage.

Forecast: tourism, brand impact and links to marine destinations

Given that a majority of international tourists arrive in Finland on Finnair flights, the soundscape could function as an early cultural touchpoint that raises awareness and curiosity about Finnish destinations. Enhanced brand recognition and an emotionally resonant arrival experience may subtly influence traveller choice and the length of stay, particularly for leisure visitors seeking cultural and nature-based itineraries.

For coastal and lake regions—such as the Finnish archipelago and Lake Saimaa—the reinforced Finnish brand may translate into increased interest in maritime activities, local marinas, and charter services. Sound-driven branding that conveys calm, open spaces and nature could complement marketing for yachting, boating and waterfront activities, nudging tourists towards experiences like island-hopping, fishing trips and chartered yacht excursions.

Practical takeaways for travel and marine operators

• Marinas and charter companies can align onshore branding with the national audio identity to create a consistent visitor journey.
• Tour operators should consider partnerships for curated playlists or co-branded experiences that extend the inflight mood to on-the-water excursions.
• Digital platforms and booking engines might leverage the music release on streaming services as a promotional asset for destination storytelling.

Overall, Finnair's Matkantekijä initiative is a targeted example of how audio branding can be operationalized across transport and service touchpoints to enhance cultural positioning and passenger experience. Its rollout will be closely observed for passenger reception, operational integration, and the potential ripple effects on tourism demand—particularly to Finland’s sea and lake Destinations, marinas and yachting activities.

In conclusion, the main points are clear: Finnair has commissioned Lauri Porra to compose Matkantekijä, the music will be introduced across aircraft, lounges and digital channels starting 27 February, and the approach emphasizes Finnish cultural elements and operational compatibility. As a result, destination marketers and marine operators may see modest increases in interest for yacht charters, boat rentals, lake and sea excursions, beach-going visitors and marina services. For travellers seeking to charter a yacht or rent a boat in Finland’s clearwaters, or for those comparing captain-led charters and self-skippered rentals, an aligned travel soundscape can enhance the pre-cruise mood and set expectations for on-water activities.

GetBoat.com is an international marketplace for renting sailing boats and yachts, probably the best service for boat rentals to suit every taste and budget; it’s an ideal resource for booking charters, finding yachts and boats for rent, locating marinas, and planning fishing or yachting activities across Gulf and sea Destinations. Keep an eye on how branded passenger experiences—from boarding music to destination storytelling—may affect demand for charter, superyacht and boating rentals in Finland’s lakes, archipelagos and coastal waters.