LOS ANGELES- Royal Air Maroc (AT) is preparing to launch new nonstop service between Casablanca (CMN) and Los Angeles (LAX), a move that will return LAX to the select group of airports with passenger flights to six continents. The carrier plans to begin operations in June 2026 using its Boeing 787 fleet.
The airline has filed with the US Department of Transportation to begin marketing and selling the service upon approval, which it is not expected to have difficulty securing.
Reported by PYOK, the plan marks one of Royal Air Maroc’s most significant US network expansions in recent years.
Royal Air Maroc Adds Los Angeles Flights
Royal Air Maroc has requested DOT authorization to begin regularly scheduled flights linking Casablanca and Los Angeles.
The 5,990-mile route will be operated with Boeing 787 aircraft, drawing from the airline’s existing fleet of 5 787-8s and 6 787-9s. The flight is expected to take approximately 11 to 12 hours in each direction. The airline has not yet published an official schedule.
The new service will join Royal Air Maroc’s current US network, which includes Miami, New York, and Washington.
Due to the limited size of the widebody fleet, the airline will likely need to cut or reduce another long-haul service to support this operation. As a result, the CMN–LAX route is expected to launch at a less than daily frequency until additional aircraft become available.
Strategic timing appears deliberate. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to drive strong demand across the North American market, creating favorable conditions for transatlantic and Africa-bound travel.
The route may also attract connecting passengers, as Morocco’s geography supports efficient one-stop links from Los Angeles to several African destinations and select European markets.
LAX Rejoins the 6 Continent Airport Club
The proposed flights will restore LAX’s status as one of the few global airports offering nonstop passenger service to all six inhabited continents. The geographic and operational challenges of maintaining such connectivity make the distinction rare.
EgyptAir has also outlined plans to begin service to Los Angeles next year, meaning the airport could gain two African routes in a short period.
This renewed Africa connectivity strengthens LAX’s position as a global hub and expands travel options for passengers seeking direct or one-stop access to regions that currently require extensive routing through Europe or the Middle East.
Network Economics and Fleet Constraints
Royal Air Maroc maintains a low-cost structure, supported in part by labor expenses that are lower than those of US carriers.
This competitive position may help the airline operate long-haul routes profitably even when demand is moderate. However, the Los Angeles market is not expected to generate significant point-to-point traffic on its own.
The carrier’s ability to attract connecting passengers will be vital to the route’s performance. Casablanca’s hub offers access to numerous African city pairs and select European destinations that could be more efficiently reached through CMN than other connection points.
While these flows may help the service succeed, the extra 2,000 miles compared to East Coast operations raise questions about incremental revenue potential.
Fleet scarcity remains the primary operational constraint. Although new widebody aircraft orders have been discussed publicly, deliveries would not arrive in time to support the 2026 launch.
Therefore, initial capacity on the CMN–LAX route will depend heavily on how the airline reallocates its current Dreamliner fleet.
Future Outlook
Royal Air Maroc’s planned launch of Casablanca–Los Angeles flights represents an important strategic development for both the airline and LAX.
The route is expected to begin in June 2026, pending DOT approval, and will be operated with Boeing 787 aircraft drawn from the carrier’s existing long-haul fleet.
The service will strengthen Africa–US connectivity and restore LAX to the six-continent club, even as the airline manages tight fleet availability and carefully balances market demand.
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