Los Angeles Gains a New Gateway to Africa in 2026

Published on December 12, 2025

A new air connection is set to reshape long-haul travel between the United States and Africa. Royal Air Maroc will begin nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Casablanca on June 7, 2026. The link will create the first direct air corridor between Africa and the U.S. Pacific Coast. The new service is expected to support rising travel flows and create fresh opportunities for visitors planning transcontinental journeys.

Launch of a Long-Haul Route Connecting LAX and Casablanca

The new route will be placed into Royal Air Maroc’s network as part of a long-term expansion plan. The service will be operated three times per week and will offer an estimated flight duration of about eleven hours. This connection will be supported by growing demand linked to various international events, including increased movements anticipated ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The route will be used by travelers from different regions and backgrounds. It will support the movement of the Moroccan and African diasporas and will attract American visitors seeking direct access to Morocco. It will also serve business travelers and passengers traveling for upcoming global events. The link will allow easier movement for travelers heading from Morocco, Africa, and Europe to the United States for major activities planned in 2026.
The service will be operated with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This aircraft is recognized for its long-haul comfort features and is already used within the airline’s international network. Travelers will be offered in-flight entertainment and amenities designed for extended journeys.

A Stronger Hub Connection Through Casablanca

This added route will further elevate Casablanca’s geographic role. The city already functions as a connector between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. With this launch, that function will gain more prominence. The new LAX service aligns with Royal Air Maroc’s wider strategy, which includes fleet growth, additional domestic and international routes, and higher connectivity for travelers entering or leaving Morocco.

Royal Air Maroc currently maintains services to several North American destinations. These include New York, Washington, Miami, Montreal, and Toronto. The new Los Angeles route will join these links and complement frequency increases on several long-haul routes such as Miami, Washington, São Paulo, and Dubai. With these enhancements, the airline’s network will gain broader reach and will support travel flows connected to future global events, including preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2030.

Travel Demand and the Role of Long-Haul Tourism

Long-haul travelers often seek efficient links that reduce travel time and create smoother access to different continents. Routes of this nature tend to support broader tourism activity by opening direct pathways and reducing transit requirements. A nonstop flight can influence visitor choices, encourage new booking patterns, and simplify complex itineraries.
Travelers frequently value straightforward connections when planning extended holidays, cultural trips, or multi-country journeys. A route that joins distant regions can also stimulate tourism-related spending by motivating more visitors to explore destinations that once required longer transit periods. This type of expansion often aligns with broader tourism trends, where convenience and time savings influence international travel decisions.

Expansion of Fleet and Corporate Strategy

Royal Air Maroc currently operates a fleet of about sixty aircraft and connects major Moroccan airports to more than ninety international destinations. The airline has outlined its long-term plan through a program running from 2023 to 2037. The goal is to shift from a regional position to a globally competitive role.
The strategy includes a planned fleet increase to two hundred aircraft by 2037. Passenger capacity is expected to rise as part of this plan, with a target of transporting thirty-two million passengers per year. These developments will shape travel options across multiple continents and reinforce the airline’s presence in the long-haul market.

Royal Air Maroc is also part of the oneworld alliance. Through this membership, Morocco gains access to a shared network that connects hundreds of millions of travelers to almost nine hundred destinations across numerous countries. This cooperation is intended to create smoother travel links for passengers who use alliance carriers.

Flight Schedule for the New Service

The schedule for the new LAX–Casablanca service will begin on June 7, 2026. All times are listed in local time.

Los Angeles to Casablanca

• Flight AT251
• Operating Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
• Departure: 10:20 a.m.
• Arrival: 5:25 a.m. the following day

Casablanca to Los Angeles

• Flight AT250
• Operating Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
• Departure: 4:00 a.m.
• Arrival: 8:20 a.m.

Travelers can secure seats through the airline’s website, customer centers, sales offices, or through preferred travel agencies.

Image Source: AI