Aer Lingus has teamed up with top local graffiti artist Qubek to create a massive new eye-catching street art mural showcasing the airline’s transatlantic Manchester routes. The dazzling 49ft wide by 38ft high mural appears emblazoned across a building in Manchester’s Thomas Street in the heart of the city’s creative district.

Designed over four days by Manchester-based Qubek – one of the region’s best-known street artists specialising in large scale murals and graffiti – it brought to life the airlines’ colourful northern flight network through a high impact interpretation of the carrier’s US and Caribbean destinations.

Aer Lingus successfully launched transatlantic services from Manchester Airport in October 2021, connecting the North of England directly to the US and Caribbean. The airline also operates direct non-stop flights to New York JFK, Orlando, Florida and Barbados.

The bespoke graffiti expression represents the excitement of travel, with Qubek celebrating the Irish carrier’s direct Manchester routes to New York, Orlando and Barbados, by blending different cultures to highlight why the destinations are so popular with UK tourists. Highly distinctive works from Russ Meehan (aka Qubek), can be found right across the city, including on many walls and boardings around Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

His ‘Mancunian Bees’ artworks have grabbed people’s attention across the city for the last few years along with his giant tribute to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, making him a creative figurehead for uniting the Northern community.

Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, said: “Manchester is home to a vibrant art scene and through this collaboration with Qubek, one of the region’s most renowned artists, we wanted to showcase our long-haul routes operating from Manchester to the local community in a fun and engaging way. Since the commencement of our direct transatlantic flights from Manchester nearly a year ago, we have seen great demand for our services to New York, Orlando and Barbados.”