Royal Air Maroc Introduces LAX’s Only Nonstop Link to Africa with Casablanca Service

This June marks a transformative moment for transatlantic connectivity as Royal Air Maroc prepares to launch the first-ever nonstop passenger service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Africa. The new route, connecting LAX with Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca, Morocco, is set to begin on June 7, operating three times a week and promising to reshape travel between North America’s West Coast and the African continent.

Flights are scheduled for Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Westbound journeys will see departures from Casablanca at 4:00 a.m. local time, arriving in Los Angeles at 8:20 a.m. The return eastbound service will leave LAX at 10:20 a.m., touching down in Casablanca at 5:25 a.m. the following day. The route will be serviced by the airline’s advanced Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, configured with 274 seats, including 18 in business class, ensuring a premium experience for both leisure and business travelers.

This new service marks Royal Air Maroc’s fourth U.S. gateway, joining its existing flights to New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), and Washington, D.C. (IAD). The addition of Los Angeles is a strategic move, expanding the airline’s reach across the United States and providing a critical link for West Coast travelers to access not just Morocco, but a broad spectrum of African destinations via Casablanca’s well-connected hub.

The timing is especially significant for global tourism and the African diaspora. The inaugural flight precedes the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by just four days—a tournament jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and set to unfold across 16 cities, including Los Angeles. With Morocco’s national team having qualified and drawn into Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland, the route is expected to experience a surge in demand as fans, officials, and media representatives make their way to the tournament. This spotlight on Morocco and North Africa presents a rare opportunity to showcase the continent’s rising profile in the global tourism and sporting arena.

For African tourism professionals and the broader travel industry, the significance of this new service extends beyond the World Cup. Once the tournament concludes, Royal Air Maroc is positioned to build long-term demand by leveraging Casablanca as a one-stop gateway for travelers heading from the western U.S. to a vast array of African cities. The airline’s extensive network across West, Central, and North Africa opens up new possibilities for multi-destination itineraries, trade missions, business travel, and diaspora connections. This creates fertile ground for African tour operators, hoteliers, and destination marketers to develop packages and promotional campaigns targeting the affluent Californian and wider U.S. market.

Travelers will also benefit from the airline’s membership in the Oneworld alliance. This partnership enables the use of loyalty miles from American Airlines and Alaska Airlines to book tickets on Royal Air Maroc’s LAX-Casablanca service, broadening accessibility and convenience for frequent flyers. While the flights were not yet bookable at the time of announcement, their integration into the Oneworld network is set to enhance connectivity and reward options for passengers around the globe.

The decision to launch this route signals growing confidence in the resilience and potential of transcontinental travel. For Los Angeles, the addition of a direct African link fills a longstanding gap and positions the city as a genuine global gateway. For Casablanca, it further cements the airport’s role as a premier African hub, offering seamless connections to major cities throughout the region, from Dakar and Lagos to Cairo and Tunis.

For Africa’s tourism industry, this development comes at a critical juncture. As global demand for authentic, diverse travel experiences continues to rise, the ability to offer direct, reliable air links to the continent is a game-changer. It not only supports the growth of inbound tourism but also stimulates outbound travel, business exchange, and cultural partnerships. The strategic use of wide-body aircraft like the Dreamliner ensures that both capacity and comfort are optimized for long-haul journeys, appealing to both high-end and value-conscious travelers.

The launch of LAX’s only nonstop African service is a call to action for the African travel trade. It presents new opportunities to forge partnerships with U.S. operators, design bespoke product offerings for North American visitors, and leverage Morocco’s growing reputation as a safe, cosmopolitan entry point to the continent. With the World Cup as an initial catalyst, sustained marketing and trade engagement will be essential to maintaining momentum and growing traffic on this historic route.

Looking forward, Royal Air Maroc’s bold step underscores the evolving landscape of global aviation and the pivotal role of African carriers in connecting the continent with the world. As travelers and industry partners prepare for this new era of transatlantic connectivity, the LAX–Casablanca route stands out as a symbol of Africa’s expanding horizons and its readiness to welcome the world on its own terms.