Discover Morocco and Africa: LAX’s First Nonstop Link to Casablanca Set to Launch in June

Published on December 12, 2025

Royal Air Maroc is set to make history this June with the launch of its first-ever nonstop flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca, Morocco.** Starting on June 7, 2023, this new route will operate three times a week, connecting North America’s West Coast to Africa for the first time with a direct, scheduled service. This milestone marks a transformative step in transatlantic connectivity, reshaping travel between the United States and Africa while opening new opportunities for global tourism.

The LAX-Casablanca service will be operated using Royal Air Maroc’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a state-of-the-art aircraft configured with 274 seats, including 18 in business class. This high-capacity plane ensures that both leisure and business travelers can enjoy a comfortable, premium flying experience. The flights will run on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with the westbound flight departing from Casablanca at 4:00 a.m. and arriving in Los Angeles at 8:20 a.m. The return flight departs LAX at 10:20 a.m. and arrives in Casablanca the following day at 5:25 a.m., offering a seamless travel experience.

Connecting LAX with Africa: A Gateway to the Continent

This new route will serve as a critical connection for travelers from California and the wider West Coast of the United States, offering convenient access to North Africa and beyond. As the first nonstop flight from LAX to Africa, it fills a significant gap in the direct air service between the U.S. and Africa. This connection is especially crucial for travelers heading to Morocco and the rest of North Africa, as well as those looking to access West, Central, and East Africa through Casablanca’s well-established hub.

Casablanca serves as a major gateway for Royal Air Maroc’s extensive network, providing connections to destinations such as Dakar, Lagos, Cairo, Tunis, and Abidjan, among others. This means that passengers traveling from Los Angeles can easily connect to numerous African cities, making the route a game-changer for both tourism and business exchanges between North America and Africa.

Tourism Opportunities for Morocco and Africa

For Morocco, this direct link with Los Angeles is a major boost to the country’s tourism industry. With its rich cultural heritage, historic sites, vibrant cities like Marrakech and Fez, and stunning natural landscapes, Morocco has long been a sought-after destination for travelers. Now, with direct access from one of North America’s largest travel hubs, Morocco is set to attract even more tourists from the United States.

The timing of the inaugural flight is particularly notable, as it coincides closely with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Morocco’s qualification for the tournament and its location in Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland further boosts the appeal of this new route. As the World Cup will attract fans, media, and officials to Los Angeles, the new Casablanca service is expected to experience heightened demand.

Beyond the World Cup, the route will open up new opportunities for travelers to explore Africa’s diverse destinations, from the historic cities of Cairo to the coastal beauty of Cape Town. With the ease of one-stop travel through Casablanca, more visitors will be encouraged to explore the vast cultural and natural treasures across the African continent.

Benefits for African Tourism Professionals

For African tourism professionals, this new route offers several opportunities to expand their market reach. The connection from Los Angeles to Casablanca enhances the potential for multi-destination itineraries, allowing U.S. travelers to experience both Morocco and other African countries in a seamless journey. Moroccan tour operators, hotels, and destination marketers are positioned to benefit from increased U.S. interest, especially with the additional exposure generated by events like the World Cup.

The ability to connect to various African cities with just one stop in Casablanca also makes it easier for African tourism boards, travel agents, and hospitality providers to target U.S. travelers with customized tour packages. Whether for cultural experiences, wildlife safaris, or business travel, the convenience of direct flights to Casablanca opens a new world of possibilities for African tourism professionals.

Leveraging Oneworld Alliance for Enhanced Connectivity

Royal Air Maroc’s membership in the Oneworld alliance is another key advantage for travelers using the LAX-Casablanca route. The partnership allows passengers to accrue and redeem loyalty miles with other major airlines such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, broadening the accessibility and convenience of the new service. This is expected to attract more frequent flyers and loyal customers from the U.S. market, adding value to both leisure and business travelers using the route.

For the travel industry, the integration of the LAX-Casablanca route into the Oneworld network presents significant opportunities for cooperation, joint promotions, and cross-marketing campaigns. It strengthens the partnership between North American and African airlines and facilitates more streamlined connections to other parts of the world, further improving connectivity.

Royal Air Maroc’s U.S. Expansion and Africa’s Growing Profile

With the launch of the LAX-Casablanca nonstop service, Royal Air Maroc is expanding its presence in the United States, marking its fourth U.S. gateway after New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), and Washington, D.C. (IAD). This strategic expansion enhances the airline’s network and reinforces Casablanca’s role as a major international hub for air travel to Africa. The launch highlights the increasing importance of African airlines in global aviation, especially as the continent’s connectivity to the rest of the world continues to grow.

Conclusion: A New Era for Transatlantic and African Travel

The introduction of nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Casablanca by Royal Air Maroc marks a significant milestone in global air travel. Not only does it provide crucial connectivity for tourists and business travelers, but it also paves the way for increased African tourism and international exchange. With its strategic location and growing profile in the global tourism industry, Casablanca is now more accessible than ever, offering U.S. travelers a gateway to Morocco and the broader African continent. As demand increases and the 2026 World Cup approaches, this route is set to become a cornerstone of transatlantic and African travel.