Royal Air Maroc is preparing for a bold transatlantic expansion in 2026, targeting two new U.S. routes that are set to significantly elevate its presence in the North American market. According to multiple industry sources, the Moroccan flag carrier plans to launch flights from Casablanca to Los Angeles and resume its previously suspended Boston service, both expected to commence operations in May 2026, aligning with the peak travel season.
This strategic move underscores Royal Air Maroc’s commitment to expanding its long-haul network and capitalizing on rising demand for travel between North Africa and the United States.
Casablanca to Los Angeles: A Groundbreaking Connection to the West Coast
The Casablanca–Los Angeles route marks an ambitious new chapter for Royal Air Maroc. Although not yet officially announced or bookable, this route is generating strong anticipation. Once confirmed, it will become the second-longest service in the airline’s network, spanning 5,205 nautical miles (9,640 km)—only surpassed by its Casablanca–Beijing Daxing flight.
Operating likely with the Boeing 787-8 or 787-9, the new service will also be the only nonstop African passenger flight connecting the West Coast of the United States with the continent, filling a major geographic gap in intercontinental air travel. While historical precedents exist—Ethiopian Airlines once served Los Angeles via Dublin and EgyptAir operated a JFK–Los Angeles tag-on—the route will make Royal Air Maroc the sole African airline with direct presence on the West Coast.
Despite a relatively small point-to-point demand between Casablanca and Los Angeles, estimated at 15,000 round-trip passengers annually, Royal Air Maroc will bank on its hub-and-spoke strategy. The Casablanca hub offers efficient onward connections across North, West, and Central Africa, with high-demand destinations like Cairo (64,000 passengers annually), Lagos (26,000), Accra (12,000), Marrakech (9,000), Tunis (8,000), and Abidjan (8,000) acting as feeder points for transatlantic travelers.
The carrier is likely to target diaspora communities, tourism flows, and business travel in sectors such as mining, energy, and agribusiness, where US–Africa trade relations continue to evolve.
Boston Resumption: Reclaiming a Northeastern U.S. Gateway
Royal Air Maroc’s return to Boston Logan International Airport is both a revival and a recalibration. Originally launched in June 2019, the Boston route was suspended in early 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global aviation. In that short period, the airline transported approximately 31,000 passengers, but seat occupancy averaged around 50%, with load factors dropping as low as 40% in off-peak months.
With a three-weekly schedule on the 274-seat Boeing 787-8, the route is expected to mirror its pre-pandemic format. In 2019, flights departed Casablanca in the evening and arrived in Boston by 7:30 p.m. local time, allowing for convenient same-day connections across the Eastern U.S.
Royal Air Maroc’s renewed focus on Boston is likely driven by improved travel confidence, the growing importance of Moroccan-American cultural ties, and the city’s role as a gateway to academia and innovation, all of which present high-yield market opportunities.
Record-Breaking North American Presence in 2026
If both the Los Angeles and Boston routes are launched as expected, Royal Air Maroc’s total number of U.S. destinations will rise to five, including New York JFK, Washington Dulles, and Miami. Operating at three flights per week each, these new services would contribute to a 25% increase in U.S. capacity, with the airline offering up to 30 weekly departures from Morocco to the United States in July 2026.
When factoring in Canada, Royal Air Maroc’s North American footprint expands further with Montreal and Toronto—bringing its total to seven routes and 47 weekly one-way flights, a significant climb from 41 in July 2025 and 33 in July 2019.
This reflects the airline’s aggressive post-pandemic recovery and ambition to position Casablanca as a premier transatlantic hub between Africa and the Americas. In a landscape where U.S. carriers like Delta are entering Moroccan markets (e.g., Atlanta–Marrakech), Royal Air Maroc’s proactive network growth solidifies its regional dominance.
Conclusion: A Strategic Leap Forward
The anticipated additions of Los Angeles and Boston in 2026 signal a powerful resurgence for Royal Air Maroc in the transatlantic corridor. By tapping into underserved markets and leveraging Casablanca’s geographic positioning, the airline is poised to become a vital bridge connecting the U.S., Africa, and Southern Europe.
With North America-bound travel on the rise and demand for multidirectional connectivity increasing, Royal Air Maroc’s bold route strategy could position it as one of the most dynamic players in the Africa–Americas aviation arena.
