This 2012 British Airways commercial, titled Pop Up Orchestra, was an online video campaign created and produced by Adjust Your Set. At the time, flash mobs were a popular viral trend, and this creative execution perfectly captured the spirit of the era.
The advert takes place during an ordinary, bustling day at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, where travellers go about their routines unaware of what’s about to unfold. Suddenly, a conductor appears on the upper level of the terminal and begins conducting silently. Moments later, instruments start joining in one by one around the concourse, surprising onlookers as the Sussex Symphony Orchestra performs a beautiful and spontaneous rendition of a timeless classic.
As the performance builds, more instruments join in and travellers gather to watch, film, and applaud. When the final note sounds, the terminal erupts into a round of warm applause, capturing a genuine moment of joy and connection.
Music in the British Airways “Pop Up Orchestra” Advert
Music: Flower Duet
Composer: Léo Delibes
Performed by: Sussex Symphony Orchestra
Opera: Lakmé (Act 1 Duet for Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano)
The music featured in the advert is the Flower Duet (Dôme épais le jasmin) from the 1883 opera Lakmé by French Romantic composer Léo Delibes. The duet is traditionally performed by a soprano and mezzo-soprano and is celebrated for its grace and beauty.
In this advert, the piece is performed by the Sussex Symphony Orchestra, whose elegant live rendition brought the atmosphere of classical performance into one of the busiest travel hubs in the world.
The Flower Duet also has a long-standing association with British Airways. The airline’s iconic 1989 Face advert featured a famous adaptation of the same piece titled Aria On Air, which became synonymous with the brand’s refined and aspirational identity.
Reception
The Pop Up Orchestra advert was warmly received, praised for its uplifting spontaneity and connection to British culture and heritage. Its blending of art, travel, and emotion helped reaffirm British Airways’ image as a brand that celebrates both sophistication and humanity.