Ten years in tune: Live music strikes a chord at Houston’s airports

IAH and HOU mark a decade of Harmony in the Air, blending world-class travel with Houston’s vibrant soundtrack.

Aug 26, 2025

The sound hits you before the jet lag does. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), travelers are just as likely to be greeted by a trumpet flourish or piano solo as they are by rolling luggage and security calls. For a decade, Harmony in the Air has turned Houston’s airports into concert halls that passengers never expected but rarely forget.

Launched in June 2015, the program began as a pilot in one corner of IAH — an experiment to see if travelers would pause long enough during their layovers to enjoy a live performance. They did, in droves.

Passengers lingered in front of the stage, children danced and business travelers recorded videos to send home. That overwhelming response transformed a test run into a permanent program. And, guided by years of consistent passenger feedback, it grew from that single stage to multiple performance sites across IAH and HOU.

Today, Harmony in the Air features more than 186 professional musicians and 26 ensembles spanning jazz, classical, gospel, pop and R&B. Performances take place daily in IAH Terminals A, D and E and in the rotunda of HOU’s Central Concourse.

Since its launch in 2015, Harmony in the Air has blossomed into one of the most cherished experiences for our passengers. Time and again, travelers share how the music has lifted their spirits, inspired them or brought a touch of joy to their journey.

It has also become the most complimented amenity across Houston Airports. No matter the traveler — international or domestic, business or leisure — passengers consistently take the time to send in feedback, praising Harmony in the Air as the moment that made their trip better. That volume of feedback is more than applause — it’s data. It has shaped the program’s expansion, validated investments, and proven that live music has a measurable impact on passenger experience.

Passengers say it best.

“Absolutely enjoyed the live music and musicians today,” wrote one traveler departing Hobby. Another called it “calming,” while a third said, “It was very relaxing and just good to sit in front of the performance before a long flight.” At Bush Airport, feedback highlights the program’s power to shift moods instantly: “Having live music through Harmony in the Air is such a nice addition… it made my day.”

That chorus of compliments builds a portrait of Houston’s cultural identity as much as it does the airport system’s hospitality.

The lineup is curated to showcase Houston’s breadth of sound—from Latin jazz combos to gospel soloists and string quartets. For some passengers, it’s their first taste of Houston’s creative soul. For others, it’s a reminder of home.

LEARN MORE | Harmony in the Air at Hobby Airport

LEARN MORE | Harmony in the Air at Bush Airport

“At Houston Airports, we don’t just showcase art—we create cultural moments,” said Alton DuLaney, chief curator of cultural affairs for the City of Houston. “As Houston prepares for the 2026 World Cup, Harmony in the Air will share this city’s creative energy with millions of visitors from around the world. Travelers have choices in where they connect—we want them to choose Houston, where live music is part of the World’s Best Airport Art Program and where the culture of this city elevates every journey.”

Passenger feedback makes clear this isn’t background noise — it’s a competitive edge. In a world where travelers can choose to connect through Atlanta, Dallas or Miami, Houston’s airports stand apart. Harmony in the Air, backed by a reputation as the World’s Best Airport Art Program since 2023, offers passengers something more than efficiency. It offers them an experience worth seeking out, a reason to choose Houston.

The investment has paid dividends in recognition. Houston Airports is consistently honored by Skytrax, which praised the “creativity, vibrancy and identity” infused into the terminals. For musicians, the program is just as transformative. “We’re touching people,” said violist Whitney Bullock of Apollo Chamber Players. “That’s the power of bringing music into a place as busy and stressful as an airport.”

Ten years on, Harmony in the Air is no background soundtrack. It’s a cultural signature, born from a pilot, expanded by data, and shaped by the voices of passengers themselves. In Houston, even a layover can sound like a performance worth remembering.