James Blunt has secured his third Number 1 album on the UK Official Albums Chart, with his eighth studio record, Airplane Mode, reaching the summit and giving him his first chart-topper in 19 years.
The singer-songwriter’s latest release marks his first Number 1 album since 2007’s All the Lost Souls, ending a lengthy wait for another chart-topping record. The achievement also means Blunt must now honour an unusual promise to legally change his name to Ryan Air if the album reached the top spot.
The pledge followed a tongue-in-cheek social media campaign designed to encourage fans to support Airplane Mode during its release week.
James Blunt returns to Number 1 after 19 years
The success of Airplane Mode gives Blunt his third Number 1 album in the UK, following the chart achievements of his earlier releases.
His previous chart-topper, All the Lost Souls, arrived in 2007 and featured some of his best-known material following the worldwide success of his debut album, Back to Bedlam.
The new album’s performance represents a significant return to the top of the UK charts for the singer, whose career has included five studio albums since his previous Number 1.
James Blunt’s Ryan Air name-change promise
The chart success comes with an amusing consequence for Blunt.
Before the album’s release, the singer launched a social media campaign promising to legally change his name to Ryan Air if Airplane Mode reached Number 1.
It was not the first time he had made an unusual name-change pledge to promote his music.
In 2024, Blunt made a similar promise when a reissue of Back to Bedlam returned to the charts, eventually reaching Number 7.
This time, however, the album has gone all the way to the summit, leaving the singer with his most unusual promotional commitment yet.
James Blunt thanks fans after Number 1 success
Blunt celebrated the achievement by thanking everyone who had supported the album through purchases, downloads and streaming.
He also revealed that he intended to mark the occasion in typically light-hearted fashion.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am to every single person who has gone out there and downloaded, or bought, or streamed my album. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much! I’m going to get absolutely pissed.
With Airplane Mode now at Number 1, Blunt has another major chart achievement to add to his career, although fans will be watching closely to see whether he follows through on his promise to become Ryan Air.
