The Orfeó Català Thrills at 35,000 feet with an onboard performance on LEVEL's direct Barcelona-Los Angeles flight

 

02/18/2026

 

LEVEL's direct Barcelona-Los Angeles flight was yesterday the setting for a unique initiative starring the Orfeó Català, a choir based at the Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona), where voices soared higher than ever. What was initially a flight carrying a group of about 150 people transformed into an onboard cultural event that surprised and moved all the passengers with a live performance at 35,000 feet.

 

 

 

The expedition was headed to the Californian city to mark a significant milestone in the ensemble's history: its debut in the United States of America alongside the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and its conductor, Gustavo Dudamel, in a production of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall.

 

But the flight was much more than a simple transfer, because moments after takeoff and already in cruise phase, the almost 150 singers surprised the rest of the passengers with an onboard performance. The performance, organized in coordination with the crew, was received with great surprise by the passengers on the flight, creating a unique and emotional experience en route to Los Angeles. For the passengers, the flight became an exciting and unrepeatable experience; and for the Orfeó Català, it meant The prelude to performances in Los Angeles that will mark a turning point in their history, an adventure in which they are also accompanied by the Palau Chamber Choir.

 

To celebrate the occasion and accompany the group, the airline LEVEL also themed the plane, with special Orfeó Català – Palau de la Música overhead lights, turning the flight into a symbolic prelude to this cultural milestone.

 

 

With this initiative, LEVEL consolidates its commitment to culture and the international projection of Barcelona. Through its direct operations between Barcelona and its destinations in the Americas, the company facilitates cultural and artistic exchange and contributes to the dissemination of local talent in strategic markets on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

About LEVEL 

 

LEVEL is IAG's long-haul airline and one of the group's six airlines, along with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Iberia Express, and Vueling. LEVEL, which began flights in June 2017, offers very attractive prices and a distinctive, personalized experience thanks to its Fly Your Way value proposition. LEVEL's aircraft feature Premium and Economy cabins, allowing each traveler to choose the class and services they wish to purchase. LEVEL operates all its flights directly from Barcelona to the United States and Latin America. Since 2023, the airline has positioned itself as the leading long-haul operator at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

 

About the Orfeó Català

 

The Orfeó Català is one of Spain's leading amateur choirs and a symbol of Catalan culture. It was founded in 1891 to promote the Catalan and international choral repertoire and guarantee artistic excellence. Xavier Puig is the current musical director, and Simon Halsey is closely linked to the choir as a guest conductor and ambassador for the Palau choirs. The choir has performed in major European venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie and the Vienna Konzerthaus, as well as as at the China Shanghai International Arts Festival, and has collaborated on major international projects with ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic, under the baton of conductors such as Simon Rattle, Kirill Petrenko, and Gustavo Dudamel, with whom he toured in 2019 performing Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection."

 

 

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