What It's Like to Fly Royal Air Maroc Business Class

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If you've searched flights from the US to Morocco, you've likely encountered Royal Air Maroc (RAM). And, if you're like me, you may have wondered if you should book with an airline you haven't heard of before. Here's the thing: If you're headed to Morocco, there's a good chance you'll end up onboard a RAM flight.

The government-run airline has been around for more than 60 years, and connects its hub of Casablanca with destinations like Washington, DC, Montreal, and Miami (plus, western African cities, Middle Eastern hubs, and much of Europe).

When a work assignment had me heading to Casablanca for a few nights to check out the just-opened Royal Mansour Casablanca hotel, the best flight options were aboard Royal Air Maroc. I wasn't quite sure what to expect—it had never appeared in a flight search for me before—but I knew I would need a comfortable flight given the short window of time I had on the ground. I ended up skipping past a Delta and Air France route (I'm otherwise a SkyTeam die-hard), and put Royal Air Maroc, and specifically its business class product, to the test.

Long story short: I made it to Casablanca comfortable as could be. The direct route, combined with the pleasantries of business class, allowed me to land in Morocco fresh and ready to go—particularly invaluable when you can't afford to miss day of work (or, of equal importance, a day of leisure) on quick-turnaround trips. Below, details of the business class product, plus the advantages of RAM's US-Morocco route network.

Connectivity

RAM is one of the only airlines offering nonstop flights between the East Coast of the US and Casablanca. It’s under 8 hours between New York and Casablanca on RAM, whereas the alternatives on airlines like Air France usually total closer to 12 with a layover in Paris, for example. When you start looking at cities like Marrakesh, results vary (and connections are unavoidable), though RAM is fairly competitive on price with bigger airlines. From its Casablanca hub, travelers can connect to dozens of cities across Africa and Europe.

The airline joined Oneworld in April 2020, meaning flyers with an allegiance to the coalition (whose members include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, and Japan Airlines) can earn points on RAM flights and take advantage of other Oneworld benefits and codeshare agreements.

The airport experience

When I checked in at the business class counter, RAM sent an agent to escort me through airport security. On the business class flights I’ve flown in the past couple of years (Austrian, American), I’ve never seen this. A quick flash of a badge and I cut the entire security line, getting me through in a matter of minutes. I felt for the economy passengers I glided past—usually, I’m one of them. But if that isn’t worth paying for, I don’t know what is.

At New York's John F. Kennedy airport, there is no RAM lounge, so you’ll be sent to the Terminal 1 Primeclass (also available to travelers with Priority Pass). It’s a mid-tier lounge, notably better than the Primeclass in Terminal 4, but trailing the higher end airline lounges. There’s an open bar for some drinks (martinis, Bloody Mary’s), but confusingly you have to pay for a bottle of Perrier (luckily, there’s a sparkling water dispenser). The hot food is better than most airline food.

The expedited service wasn't solely reserved for getting us on the plane: it was also extended upon landing in Morocco. While most passengers deplaned from the back of the aircraft, business class ticket-holders were escorted through a front door to awaiting vans, a much-preferred alternative to fighting for standing room on the shuttles everyone else rode to the terminal.

When it came time for my return flight to New York, the same rush-you-through-security service was offered at the Casablanca airport, to my relief. A two-story Royal Air Maroc lounge boasted many of the aforementioned perks—totally reasonable hot and cold food, and a full bar.

Onboard comforts

These seats are your usual business class fare—lie-flats in the 1-2-1 formation you can expect on Boeing 787s. There’s a touch of RAM branding in the form of wallpaper, and roses in small vases. Amenity kits include an eye mask, socks, and some creams and toiletries made in collaboration with Moroccan brand Nectarome.

You'll get a TV and headphones, with a somewhat standard in-flight entertainment selection. I was surprised there weren't more movies about Morocco (surely I'm not the only American who hoped to watch Casablanca en route to Casablanca), but I completely forgot about it once I was watching The Menu.

If you are planning to work on your flight, as I was for one leg, know that there's no WiFi onboard. Also, confusingly, you cannot control the window tinting at your seat, so on the daytime return of my journey, the windows were all tinted to make it appear that night had fallen. As for the seat itself, I did love the fixed shell back which allowed me to recline between a seated position, relaxed lean back, and total lie-flat, without anyone around me the wiser (the privacy barriers also helped with that). The leg room is plentiful, and the blanket and pillow delivery allowed me to sleep through the entire flight there.

In-flight dining

Drinks are offered as soon as you’re seated, with water, orange juice, and Moroccan mint lemonade passed. Upon takeoff, a wider beverage menu includes soft drinks, juice, coffee, and a selection of tea (“Medina” mint poured out of the classic silver pitcher, Moroccan verbena, and Khamsa grey with orange peel are a nice nod to the carrier’s home country). And yes, there is alcohol, with spirits like JW Black Label and Camus Cognac, plus wine, including from Morocco, which I quite enjoyed.

From there, two meals are served, one a five-course international option, and a second single-item serving. On one of my flights, the five-course meal menu included canapés (a smoked salmon skewer, feta and zucchini tart, foie gras on a gingerbread cracker), a choice of fresh salad with burrata or smoked salmon toast, a choice or chicken tagine or salmon with quinoa and veggies or a riff on steak and potatoes, a fruits and mango mousse or chocolate cake for dessert, and a cheese platter. Options for the second meal included an omelet for breakfast (going), or a pastrami sandwich for lunch (returning). The snacks in-between were sundries like you might expect on any flights, with various little bags of nuts.

The takeaway

RAM's business class isn't anything flashy—it doesn't name drop brand collabs, or offer standout perks like free pajamas, or a cult-inspiring beverage offering. But the service is kind and attentive, and feels consistent. The overnight flight is comfortable enough that you're reminded Morocco really isn't that far from the East Coast, and the airport expediency services say VIP like little else.

Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler