United Airlines has officially launched direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), making it the first U.S. carrier to serve the iconic Moroccan city. This move cements United’s growing presence in Africa, adding Marrakech as its fifth African destination and highlighting the airline’s commitment to expanding routes and connectivity to the continent.
Following a record-breaking summer season, where United Airlines carried nearly 48 million passengers, the airline has unveiled its largest winter schedule to date. With this expanded winter schedule, which launches on October 24, United plans to operate up to 4,600 daily flights during peak season. One of the highlights is the new direct service from Newark to Marrakech, operated on a Boeing 767-300ER featuring 46 Polaris Business Class seats and 22 Premium Plus seats for a total of 167 seats on the high-premium route.
The flight operates three times weekly, with outbound flight UA828 departing Newark at 9:45 p.m. and arriving in Marrakech at 11:20 a.m. local time. Return flight UA627 departs Marrakech at 1:20 p.m. and arrives in Newark at 4:25 p.m., allowing for convenient connections across United’s extensive network.
Expanding Network in Africa
United’s focus on Africa has seen unprecedented growth, with its 2024-2025 winter schedule marking its largest African network to date. The airline has introduced seasonal flights from Washington Dulles to Accra, Ghana, and Lagos, Nigeria, which will increase in frequency this winter. United’s robust plans for Africa don’t end here, as the airline is set to begin service to Dakar, Senegal, in the summer of 2025, as part of its biggest-ever international expansion.
These new routes make United the airline with the most extensive network between the U.S. and Africa, addressing a rapidly growing demand for travel between these continents. Thorsten Lettnin, United’s Director of Sales for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Israel, noted earlier this year that the airline’s growth in Africa has exceeded expectations. Since launching flights to Cape Town in 2019, United has seen sustained demand from both business and leisure travelers. Additionally, United’s partnerships within Star Alliance — notably with Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, and South African Airways — alongside its codeshare with Airlink, further strengthen its presence in Africa.
Cargo Expansion into North Africa
In addition to passenger flights, United’s Newark-Marrakech route opens up substantial opportunities for its cargo division. With this direct link to North Africa, United Cargo aims to streamline logistics and reduce transit times, enhancing reliability for the Moroccan market. United’s cargo division is strategically positioned to capitalize on Morocco’s export economy, which includes textiles, automotive parts, and agriculture, thereby offering new avenues for Moroccan businesses to reach the American market with greater efficiency.
Growing North American Connections with Morocco
While United is the only U.S. airline to serve Marrakech directly, Morocco’s national airline, Royal Air Maroc, has maintained an extensive presence in North America. Royal Air Maroc offers direct flights from Casablanca to New York (JFK), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Miami (MIA). The airline also has flights to Montreal, Canada, and additional seasonal routes to destinations like Boston, making it a key player in transatlantic travel between North America and Morocco. Royal Air Maroc, in particular, is looking to increase its connections in anticipation of Morocco’s hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, potentially expanding routes through the open skies agreement with the United States.
Meanwhile, the North American market has seen additional interest in Moroccan destinations. Air Canada and Air Transat both offer flights from Canada to Casablanca and Marrakech, respectively. This connection taps into the fast-growing Canadian market to sub-Saharan Africa, where demand for air travel is surging.
Strategic Importance of Morocco’s Connectivity
With United’s launch of Newark-Marrakech, Morocco’s tourism and trade sectors are expected to benefit from increased access to North America. As Marrakech draws travelers worldwide, this direct service opens new opportunities for Americans to experience Morocco’s rich culture, history, and thriving economy. For United, it represents a key part of its strategy to expand its global footprint and capitalize on the rising interest in Africa, offering U.S. passengers a more direct route to North Africa and beyond.
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