Royal Air Maroc to launch direct flights to Los Angeles from June 2026

CASABLANCA - Morocco’s national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) announced on December 4 the launch of its first direct flights from Casablanca to Los Angeles, starting June 7, 2026, in a bold expansion that bridges the Atlantic and cements Morocco's role as Africa's aviation gateway.

This thrice-weekly service, operated on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, marks the airline's sixth North American destination and Africa's inaugural nonstop link to the US West Coast - a feat poised to reshape transatlantic travel ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The roughly 12-hour journey from Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will depart Casablanca on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, arriving in the City of Angels the same day due to time zones. Return flights from LAX will run on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, injecting fresh connectivity into a market hungry for direct ties between North Africa and the Pacific Rim.

RAM's CEO, Abdelhamid Addou, hailed the route as "much more than a new destination," calling it a "historic milestone for Royal Air Maroc and Africa’s air connectivity."

Boosting trade, tourism, and the diaspora

This launch is no isolated venture but a cornerstone of RAM's ambitious growth blueprint, aiming to quadruple its fleet to over 200 aircraft by 2037 and serve 90 million passengers annually.

Currently operating around 60 planes across 80+ destinations, the oneworld alliance member already dominates routes to New York, Washington D.C., Miami, Montreal, and Toronto.

The LAX addition - alongside planned frequency hikes to São Paulo, Miami, Washington, and Dubai - responds to surging demand from business travelers, tourists, and Morocco's vibrant diaspora in California.

Economically, the route promises a windfall. Los Angeles, a bustling hub for tech, entertainment, and agriculture, aligns seamlessly with Morocco's export strengths in phosphates, textiles, and citrus—bilateral trade already topping $2 billion yearly.

For tourists, it's a dream conduit: Hollywood glamour meets Marrakech's souks, with seamless onward connections to sub-Saharan Africa via CMN. The timing couldn't be sharper, syncing with the 2026 World Cup -co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, where Morocco's matches could draw legions of fans via this new artery.

Moreover, LAX regains its status as one of the world's elite airports with direct service to six continents, underscoring the route's global ripple effects.

A Boston route may follow, further fortifying RAM's transatlantic fortress.

A new era for African skies

As the sun sets over the Atlas Mountains, Royal Air Maroc's LAX gambit signals more than miles logged—it's a vote of confidence in Africa's ascent. By slashing layovers and unlocking one-stop access from L.A. to Lagos or Nairobi, RAM isn't just flying; it's fostering futures.

In Addou's words, it's about "strengthening the fleet, opening new routes, and increasing... services," all while honoring Morocco's storied aviation legacy.