easyJet to release album of engine sounds to help people get to sleep

Airline will donate proceeds to children's sleep charity

The sounds were recorded on a flight from Gatwick to Nice (Getty)

Budget airline easyJet has announced plans to move into the music industry with the release of a single and album comprised entirely of engine noise.

“Jet Sounds” will be available to buy tomorrow and the company say they hope listening to the tracks will help people get to sleep.

Experts believe that listening to white noise could have sleep-inducing effects. Recent research has found that the monotonous hum allows the brain to block out sleep interruptions by displacing background noise and muffling sounds such as traffic, snoring and barking dogs which can cause people to wake up.

Recordings of white noise have also been used to calm babies and help people focus when studying.

Recent research by the Sleep Council revealed that 22 per cent of adults in the UK sleep badly every night.

Sleep expert Dr Sandra L Wheatley consulted on production of the record. She said: “The soft, repetitive, ambient drone of white noise can drown out sounds, gently settle the brain and aid the on-set of sleep.

“There is also strong evidence that it can dampen out disruptive noises that can disturb our slumber. The low throb of a powerful jet engine is ideal for this. easyJet have captured the perfect tones.”

Jet Sounds will also be released on vinyl

The white noise was produced by two CFM56 turbo fan engines on a flight between London Gatwick and Nice. “Jet Sounds” will be available to download on itunes, with the single priced at 79p and the extended album at £7.99. All proceeds will be donated to The Children’s Sleep Charity.

A 10-hour recording of engine noise is also available on easyJet’s YouTube channel. There will be limited edition vinyl prints available via easyJet’s Twitter page, too.

Tina Milton, easyJet’s head of cabin crew, said: “Since the introduction of the NEO plane with its quieter cabin, we’ve created a more relaxed environment for our customers. We thought we would share this experience and help our customers get a good night’s rest in their own home, whilst helping to raise money to support The Children’s Sleep Charity.”

Vicki Dawson, founder and CEO of The Children’s Sleep Charity, said: “This is a fantastic, fun idea from easyJet as we know repetitive, consistent white noise can help some people who suffer from disturbed sleep get a better night’s rest - the gentle humming of a jet engine can help to support some children and families to get a better night’s sleep.

“We’re delighted that easyJet are donating the proceeds from the sale of the single and album to our charity, these funds will help us to further support children and families with sleep issues and provide accredited training for professionals.”