Is Royal Air Maroc a Good Airline? My Honest Review
Is Royal Air Maroc a Good Airline? – My Experience Flying from Washington Dulles to Casablanca
In December of 2022, I set off on my first-ever trip to the African continent. Prices were expensive, so I chose to use my American Airlines miles to fly from Minneapolis to Casablanca, Morocco, with a stopover in Washington Dulles. The first question I asked was, “Is Royal Air Maroc a good airline?” My research had mixed reviews, so I decided to book the flight and find out for myself if Royal Air Maroc is a good airline. This post is my honest Royal Air Maroc review and long-haul flight review based on that Royal Air Maroc economy class experience.
The cost of this trip was an extremely reasonable 17,500 American AAdvantage miles. I started with a flight from Minneapolis to Washington Reagan National Airport on American Airlines. After an overnight layover in Washington, DC, I took the Metro out to Washington Dulles International Airport and then flew to Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc on the Washington Dulles to Casablanca flight.
The flight on Royal Air Maroc would be one of many new airlines that I flew on this trip. Others included Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir, Nile Air, and LOT Polish Airlines.
Is Royal Air Maroc a Good Airline? My Honest Economy Class Review
If you’re flying to Morocco from the USA and wondering whether Royal Air Maroc is worth booking, my answer is: it’s a mixed bag, but overall positive. The legroom, meals, and price using miles were excellent, but the boarding process, lack of Wi-Fi, and a broken entertainment screen were definite downsides.
For me, the generous bulkhead Royal Air Maroc economy class seat and surprisingly good food made the flight comfortable enough that I would consider flying them again—especially on a route like the Washington Dulles to Casablanca flight, where the nonstop option is a big time-saver.
Is Royal Air Maroc a Good Airline? My Honest Review - Table of Contents
- In Royal Maroc a Good Airline?
- How to Get to Washington Dulles Airport on the Washington Metro
- Royal Air Maroc Check In Procedures
- Royal Air Maroc Boarding Process
- My Seat – Royal Air Maroc 787-800 – 10D
- Royal Air Maroc Meals
- Customs and Immigration at Casablanca International Airport
- Transportation at Casablanca Airport
- FAQs
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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How I Reached Washington Dulles Airport on the Silver Line Metro
It is easy to get to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) using Washington, DC’s Metro system. To reach Dulles, I rode the Washington Metro Silver Line out to the airport station. From there, an underground walkway connects the Metrorail station to the main terminal in about five minutes.
I was staying in the Crystal City area, and the trip to Dulles took about one hour and fifteen minutes, including walking and transfers. It wasn’t the fastest option, but it was easy to navigate and very budget-friendly.
Royal Air Maroc Check-In at Washington Dulles (IAD): What to Expect
I arrived almost four hours before my flight to Casablanca. Royal Air Maroc does not participate in TSA PreCheck, so I wanted to ensure that I had plenty of time to check in and clear security.
I was surprised that there was already quite a crowd at the Royal Air Maroc check-in counter. Royal Air Maroc shares a counter with Saudia and Emirates, but it appeared that everyone was checking in for the flight to Casablanca.
There was no option to use a check-in kiosk, so I had to wait in line. Thankfully, there were plenty of agents, and the line moved quickly. After about a twenty-minute wait, I was able to get my boarding pass and check my bag.
Royal Air Maroc weighed each bag carefully and made sure they were not even a tenth of a kilogram over the 23-kilogram limit. My bag weighed in at 21 kilograms, so I had no issues. After a brief check of my passport, I was on my way to security.
As stated earlier, Royal Air Maroc is not a member of TSA PreCheck, meaning I had to wait in the standard security line. The line moved fairly quickly, and I was through security three hours before my flight to Casablanca was scheduled to depart.
Boarding Royal Air Maroc from Washington to Casablanca: Organized or Chaos?
My Royal Air Maroc flight from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Casablanca (CMN) departed from gate A31. To get to the A-gates, I had to walk quite a ways. It was fun looking at where all of the other international flights were headed.
After arriving at gate A31, I had a few hours before my flight boarded. I spent the extra time working on Buzzinaroundtheworld.com.
The boarding process for Royal Air Maroc was pretty hectic. Around twenty minutes before boarding, the gate agent put out lettered signs, “A” through “D.” Everyone lined up to board, and they called for a pre-board. After the pre-board, the business class passengers boarded.
What happened next became a free-for-all. People from boarding zones “B,” “C,” and “D” all just started pushing their way forward. I was in zone “D” but boarded before many of the passengers in the earlier zones.
The free-for-all boarding method created a long wait on the jet bridge.
I found my seat, and there was still plenty of overhead space. Royal Air Maroc’s chaotic boarding process took around 45 minutes from the first call to the last passengers stepping onto the plane.
Royal Air Maroc 787-8 Economy Seat (10D) Review for Tall Travelers
Seat 10D is the first economy row on Royal Air Maroc’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on this route. It is a bulkhead row that has plenty of legroom, which is a huge plus if you’re tall and trying to decide if Royal Air Maroc economy class will be comfortable for you. The only issue is that the seat is slightly smaller due to the tray table being in the armrest.
Seat 10D on the Royal Air Maroc 787-8 has an adjustable headrest. On my flight, there was no Wi-Fi, and my entertainment screen did not work. This was a big negative in my Royal Air Maroc 787-8 review, especially on a long overnight flight.
Each seat had a pillow and blanket, and there was more than enough legroom for my 6-foot-5-inch frame.
On the Royal Air Maroc 787-8, any seat in row 10 has plenty of legroom. The photo below shows seats 10A, 10B, and 10C, which also had excellent space compared with standard economy rows.
Royal Air Maroc Meal Service from Washington to Casablanca
About an hour into the flight, the meal service began. The choices were pasta, chicken, or fish. I decided to go with the chicken, which was delicious but very spicy.
The meal was served with:
A roll
A salad with pearled couscous
Blueberry yogurt
A crumbled brownie
A package of cheese
A dark chocolate square
As far as airline food goes, this was one of the best airline meals I’ve ever had.
The second meal on my Royal Air Maroc flight from Washington Dulles to Casablanca was served about 90 minutes before landing. This lighter meal included a turkey sandwich, yogurt, and a chocolate muffin.
Overall, the food was a major positive in this Royal Air Maroc review and helped balance out some of the airline’s weaker points.
Clearing Immigration at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport (CMN)
Upon arriving at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), I had to clear customs and immigration. The first stop was immigration (passport control). At passport control, the line was rather long, as a long-haul flight on Emirates had arrived just before us.
As I waited in the queue, I made sure that I had all of my documents ready. When it was finally my turn, I was called up to the kiosk and presented my documents. As that happened, a woman in the queue next to us fainted. Everyone, including me, rushed to help her. It turned out she was diabetic and had low blood sugar.
A few minutes later, I was back in the queue. Passport control itself was easy. I just had to answer a few questions about where I was staying and why I was visiting Morocco.
The next stop was baggage claim and customs. While I was waiting for my bag, I found an ATM and took out MAD 4,000, which is about $430 USD at current exchange rates. Shortly after, my bag arrived.
To exit Mohammed V International Airport, I had to walk through the green aisle marked “Nothing to Declare.” A few security agents checked people’s passports and asked them to put their suitcases on the x-ray machine. I asked if they wanted to x-ray my suitcase, and they said they didn’t. I exited the airport without being asked a single question at customs.
Casablanca Airport Transportation: Avoiding Overpriced Transfers
When I arrived at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, I had incorrectly thought that I could take the “Casablanca Metro” into the city center. In reality, Casablanca does not have a metro system. Instead, the airport is connected to the city by ONCF trains, taxis, shuttles, and the Casablanca tramway once you are in town. My iPhone Maps app had shown a public transport route, but I did not notice that it involved taking a bus or train, rather than a true metro line.
Since I had expected to take the metro and had not really studied the Casablanca airport transfer options, I ended up asking for help at the airport help desk. The airport help desk turned out to be a poor choice, as I was helped by a man who was obviously receiving a commission for my booking. He had a sheet with set prices, and the price of MAD 700 (about $75 USD at current rates) was significantly more than a standard taxi fare into central Casablanca.
A typical official taxi from Mohammed V International Airport to central Casablanca usually costs around MAD 250–300, which is approximately $27–32 USD with today’s exchange rate.
The moral of this story is always do your research. Even an experienced traveler like myself can be taken advantage of after a long flight. If you plan ahead, you can choose better Casablanca airport transfer options and avoid paying an inflated rate for your ride into the city.
If you would like some better transportation options from Casablanca Airport, I have listed some below. Please note that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a small commission if you purchase a transfer using one of my links. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
FAQ: Is Royal Air Maroc a Good Airline?
Is Royal Air Maroc a good airline for long-haul flights?
From my experience on the Washington Dulles to Casablanca flight, Royal Air Maroc is a decent option for long-haul travel, especially if you can snag a good deal or use miles. The legroom in bulkhead seats, solid meal service, and the convenience of a nonstop route are big positives. On the downside, the chaotic boarding process, lack of reliable Wi-Fi, and unreliable in-flight entertainment can be frustrating. Overall, I would fly them again, but I’d manage my expectations.
Does Royal Air Maroc have Wi-Fi on the 787-8?
On my Royal Air Maroc 787-8 flight, there was no Wi-Fi available, and many recent economy reviews report similar experiences. Royal Air Maroc’s own Dreamliner marketing now mentions Wi-Fi on board, so it may be available on some aircraft or routes, but you should not count on it working for your specific flight.
Is Royal Air Maroc economy class comfortable for tall travelers?
In my Royal Air Maroc 787-8 review, the comfort level for tall travelers was one of the biggest positives. Seat 10D (and other seats in row 10) had excellent legroom thanks to the bulkhead, and I was comfortable even at 6-foot-5. Standard rows may not feel as spacious, but if you’re tall and flying Royal Air Maroc, I highly recommend trying to book a bulkhead seat or an emergency exit row.
How much does a taxi cost from Casablanca Airport to the city center?
When you arrive at Mohammed V International Airport, a typical taxi to central Casablanca should cost around MAD 250–300, which is roughly $27–32 USD at the current exchange rate. My MAD 700 ride (about $75 USD) was overpriced, arranged through someone at the airport help desk who was likely earning a commission. To get better Mohammed V International Airport transportation value, either head to the official taxi stand and confirm the price in advance, or research reputable Casablanca airport transfer options before your trip.
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