Africa gets first nonstop flight to Los Angeles as North African airline opens US route ahead of World Cup
Africa has secured its first nonstop air link to Los Angeles after Royal Air Maroc launched a direct service from Casablanca, expanding the continent’s access to the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Black News 
Africa has secured its first nonstop air link to Los Angeles after Royal Air Maroc launched a direct service from Casablanca, expanding the continent’s access to the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- This new service provides a direct gateway for African travelers to Los Angeles, bypassing transfers in Europe, the Middle East, or the US East Coast.
- Royal Air Maroc launched the first nonstop flight between Africa and the US West Coast, connecting Casablanca and Los Angeles.
- The flight is expected to boost travel ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Los Angeles hosting key matches and drawing tourists, fans, and the African diaspora.
- The move strengthens Casablanca's role as a major air hub in Africa and expands Royal Air Maroc’s long-haul network, especially benefiting travelers from West and North Africa.
Morocco’s largest airline, Royal Air Maroc, has launched a nonstop service between Casablanca and Los Angeles, giving Africa its first direct air link to the US West Coast.
According to local reports, the inaugural flight departed Mohammed V International Airport on June 7 and arrived in Los Angeles after a journey of about 12 hours.
The Moroccan carrier will operate the route three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
“Bringing Los Angeles closer than ever. Starting June 7, 2026, Royal Air Maroc launches direct flights from Casablanca to Los Angeles aboard our Boeing 787 Dreamliner,” the airline said.
The service expands Royal Air Maroc’s network in North America, where it already flies to cities including New York, Washington, Miami, Montreal and Toronto.
The service adds to Africa’s nonstop connections with the United States: Kenya Airways flies nonstop from Nairobi to New York, while Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir serve US destinations from Addis Ababa and Cairo, respectively.
However, Royal Air Maroc’s Casablanca-Los Angeles service is the first nonstop route connecting Africa with the US West Coast.
The launch comes days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in the United States, Canada and Mexico on June 11.
Los Angeles is among the tournament’s host cities and will stage eight matches, including five group-stage fixtures, two Round of 32 games and one quarter-final.
Royal Air Maroc expects the route to serve tourists, business travellers, football supporters and members of the African diaspora.
The service could also attract connecting passengers from West and Central Africa through Casablanca, strengthening the airport’s role as a regional hub.
Its launch comes as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Demand after the 2026 tournament will offer an early indication of whether the route can remain commercially viable in the long term.
