United Airlines launches New York-Marrakech flight
United Airlines launches New York-Marrakech flight
US carrier United Airlines launched on Friday a direct flight from New York to Marrakech, a first by an American airline to Morocco and North Africa.
Patrick Quayle, the US company’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Network and Alliances, and several United Airlines executives, and 35 travel consultants from the two largest U.S. groups specializing in luxury tourism, Signature Travel Network and Virtuoso, which have a total of over 32,000 travel agents, were on board this inaugural flight.
The historic New York-Marrakech route is operated three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, aboard a 167-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft configured in United Airlines’ award-winning Polaris, Premium Plus business and Premium Economy cabins.
The new direct route is launched in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), which launched “Light in action” action plan, meant to reinforce its strategy on the American market, with the stated aim of eventually attracting one million American tourists every year.
During the welcoming ceremony at Marrakech airport, US Ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar hailed the inauguration of this new air route, which represents, he said, a “new era” in relations between the United States and Morocco. This service will “bring our peoples even closer together and strengthen cultural exchanges” between the two countries, he said, highlighting the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. He noted that this new connection will offer Americans the opportunity to become immersed in Morocco’s rich heritage, and Moroccan travelers to easily discover New York and other major American destinations.
“Our two Nations share a common vision and values in celebrating diversity and welcoming people from diverse backgrounds. This openness is one of the core values that strengthens our relationship,” the American diplomat said.
For her part, Director of ONMT’s New York office Siham Fettouhi said that this flight represents a “historic moment”, emphasizing the importance of the American market, hence the opening of this service as a means of attracting more tourists and, consequently, showcasing the tourist potential of Marrakech and Morocco in general.
Matt Stevens, vice-president of United Airlines’ international network, explained that this direct route will enable Americans and the airline’s customers to travel easily to Morocco and discover “the rich cultural heritage of this magnificent country”.
The 35 travel advisors from Signature Travel Network and Virtuoso, will be visiting key destinations, including Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira, and Agafay.
In June 2023, ONMT signed strategic partnership agreements with these two major networks to tout Morocco as a destination for the American market.
