26 Best Songs for Airplane Takeoff: Your Ultimate Pre-Flight Playlist

1. Bitter Sweet Symphony - Urban Hymns (Remastered 2016)

Building Tension & Release: "Bitter Sweet Symphony" masterfully builds tension with its slow, deliberate intro before exploding into a powerful, driving crescendo – perfect for mirroring the excitement of takeoff.

Orchestral Grandeur: The sweeping strings and dramatic orchestration create a sense of epic scale, ideal for enhancing the feeling of leaving the ground and soaring into the sky.

Melancholic yet Uplifting: While possessing a bittersweet undertone, the song's overall energy remains positive and uplifting, providing a captivating soundtrack for your journey's beginning.

2. Airplanes (B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray)

Upbeat Tempo: Airplanes boasts a driving beat and powerful rhythm that mirrors the excitement of takeoff, making it a perfect soundtrack for the initial ascent.

Anthemic Quality: The soaring vocals and hopeful lyrics create a sense of uplifting energy, perfectly complementing the feeling of leaving the ground and embarking on a journey.

Hayley Williams' Vocals: Williams' distinctive vocals add a layer of emotional depth, balancing the song's energetic nature with a touch of vulnerability, making the listening experience more engaging during your flight.

3. On Top Of The World - Night Visions (Deluxe)

Uplifting Melody: "On Top Of The World" boasts a soaring melody that perfectly mirrors the feeling of ascending into the sky during takeoff, creating a sense of exhilaration and anticipation.

Driving Rhythm: The song's powerful, driving beat provides a dynamic and energetic soundtrack to the initial moments of flight, effectively masking any anxieties associated with takeoff.

Anthemic Quality: Its anthemic chorus and positive lyrics inspire a sense of freedom and adventure, setting a positive tone for your journey.

4. Paper Planes (M.I.A.)

Paper Planes

Tempo and Rhythm: M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" boasts a driving, insistent beat that mirrors the feeling of acceleration during takeoff, creating a sense of controlled excitement.

Sound Design: The song's unique sound design, incorporating chopped-and-screwed vocals and staccato instrumentation, provides a captivating soundscape that's both intense and strangely calming amidst the pre-flight hustle.

Emotional Impact: Its assertive yet strangely meditative quality helps to ease pre-flight anxiety, making it a surprisingly effective choice for a smooth ascent.

5. Best Day Of My Life (American Authors)

Upbeat Tempo: American Authors' "Best Day Of My Life" boasts a relentlessly positive and catchy tempo, perfect for shaking off pre-flight jitters and embracing the excitement of your journey.

Anthemic Quality: The song's singalong chorus and powerful instrumentation create a feeling of shared joy and anticipation, ideal for setting a buoyant mood as you ascend.

Emotional Lift-Off: Its uplifting lyrics and overall bright sound provide the perfect sonic backdrop for the thrill of takeoff, transforming a potentially stressful moment into a memorable experience.

6. Rocket Man (Elton John - 1972)

Uplifting Melody: Rocket Man's soaring melody and major key create a sense of optimism and wonder, perfectly complementing the excitement of takeoff.

Driving Rhythm: The song's steady, propulsive beat mirrors the feeling of acceleration and forward momentum, enhancing the anticipation of flight.

Nostalgic Vibe: Elton John's iconic vocals evoke a sense of classic adventure, making the journey feel timeless and special.

7. Drunk on a Plane

Upbeat Tempo: "Drunk on a Plane" boasts a catchy, upbeat tempo that perfectly complements the excitement of takeoff, providing an energetic yet lighthearted soundtrack for your ascent.

Positive Vibes: The song's overall feel is celebratory and carefree, making it ideal for shaking off pre-flight jitters and embracing the adventure ahead.

Relatable Theme: Its theme of lighthearted escapism resonates with the feeling of leaving everyday worries behind and embarking on a journey.

8. Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz - 1998)

Uplifting Melody: Fly Away's soaring melody and powerful vocals create a sense of liberation, perfectly mirroring the feeling of ascending into the sky.

Driving Rhythm: The song's driving beat provides a dynamic and energetic soundtrack to takeoff, matching the excitement of the journey.

Positive Vibes: Lenny Kravitz's signature blend of rock and soul generates an optimistic and anthemic feel, ideal for setting a positive tone as you begin your flight.

9. The Zephyr Song - By the Way (Deluxe Edition)

Uplifting Melody: The Zephyr Song boasts a bright, major-key melody that creates a feeling of optimism and excitement, perfectly complementing the thrill of takeoff.

Driving Rhythm: Its propulsive beat and energetic rhythm mirror the ascending motion of the plane, creating a sense of forward momentum.

Gentle Intensity: While upbeat, the song avoids being jarring or overwhelming, providing a stimulating yet calming soundscape for the initial ascent.

10. Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins)

Upbeat Tempo: "Danger Zone" boasts a driving, energetic rhythm perfect for the excitement of takeoff, matching the rising anticipation of flight.

Soaring Vocals: Kenny Loggins' powerful vocals create a sense of exhilaration and freedom, mirroring the feeling of ascending into the sky.

Iconic Status: Its association with *Top Gun* adds a layer of nostalgic thrill, making it a memorable and fitting soundtrack for your journey.