United Airlines has made a significant mark in the world of international travel by launching its first-ever direct flight to Marrakesh, Morocco. This new route, along with other exciting additions to United's network, opens up a world of opportunities for travelers and cargo customers alike. Let's delve into the details of United's expansion and what it means for you.
Direct Flights to Marrakech: A Dream Come True
Marrakech, with its vibrant culture, amazing landscapes, and luxury hotels, has become a sought-after destination for American travelers. The city boasts the biggest medina, top tourism attractions, the best food, a modern international airport, and exceptional hotels like the Royal Mansour, considered one of the best luxury hotels in the world.
Previously, reaching Marrakech from the United States required connecting flights, which could be tiresome and increase the chances of delays. Now, thanks to United Airlines, you can fly non-stop from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK). United launched the new route in October.
United will commence service with direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) in Morocco starting October 24. This route will operate three times weekly-on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays-using our Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
As ThePointsGuy.com said, “United's Marrakech service, it's operated with United's so-called "high-J" Boeing 767, featuring a whopping 46 lie-flat Polaris seats, and unlocks a destination rated among TPG's 29 best places to travel in 2025.”
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United Airlines is the first U.S. carrier to offer this direct route, marking a significant milestone for both travelers and cargo customers.
United's International Expansion: More Than Just Marrakech
Back in October, United Airlines announced the largest international flight expansion in the airline’s history, simultaneously adding eight new airports abroad by summer 2025. These include Marrakech, the first, as well as Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Nuuk, Greenland; Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Madeira Island, Portugal; Faro, Portugal and Dakar, Senegal.
Many of the new United destinations are exotic leisure hot spots, such as Morocco. United has taken a purposeful tact in recent years to go after routes no one else flies, often to underserved destinations, and to me that’s a big win for travelers. I’d rather have one non-stop choice than multiple airlines flying with one or more changes, especially these days. Every time you change planes you double your chances of delay or mishap.
In 2023 United added yet another new destination in Spain with a non-stop from Newark to Malaga. Other new routes that debuted that year included Stockholm, Sweden and Dubai, UAE. That’s a lot of news destinations across the globe in just two years.
United will also launch trailblazing routes to Cebu, Philippines, and Medellin, Colombia, in the summer and fall.
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- United's first route to the Philippines beach destination of Cebu will launch on July 31 and will include a connection at Tokyo Narita.
- United will begin flying to Medellin on Oct. 27 with daily service from Houston Bush Intercontinental. It will operate the routes with a Boeing 737 narrowbody and will be the only airline flying between Houston and Colombia's "City of Eternal Spring."
Later in October, United announced that it will be flying its largest winter schedule ever, with nearly 4,600 flights per day during peak winter season. This includes new seasonal destinations such as Cebu, Philippines; Medellin, Colombia, and Dominica in the Caribbean. There’s a new year-round flight from San Francsico to Monterrey, Mexico and seasonal service to Belize City, Belize.
Spain has been red hot as a tourism destination for Americans, especially with the current very strong dollar to Euro, but with the ongoing protests over over-tourism in Barcelona, it may be time to look elsewhere in the country, so this is a big addition for American travelers.
Benefits for Cargo Customers
United's direct flights to Marrakech also offer significant advantages for cargo customers. According to United Cargo President Jan Krems, "This direct service streamlines logistics, reduces transit times, and enhances reliability, providing seamless access to the Moroccan market."
Stephane Broquet, regional manager of sales partners in EMEIA, added, "Launching flights to Morocco presents a fantastic opportunity for United Cargo to expand into the North African region. This strategic move not only enhances our service offerings but also strengthens our presence in a region with considerable economic potential."
With one of the most extensive and diversified networks in the industry, United continues to lead in offering innovative solutions for cargo transportation needs.
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Exploring Marrakech 🇲🇦 | Vibrant Markets, Medina & Hidden Gems! [4K]
Other Exciting Destinations
Several of the new routes represent key growth areas for U.S leisure travelers. Portugal, like Spain, has been booming, and Faro opens up the sunny beaches and golf courses of the south, the Algarve, more directly. Likewise, Italy has long been the top dream destination for Americans, but many who have Italian ancestry trace their roots to Sicily, which while popular, has always been harder to reach than Rome or Milan. You can now fly non-stop to Sicily!
Bilbao is the biggest city in the amazing Basque region of northern Spain, one of the world’s greatest culinary destinations, and nearby San Sebastian is famously home to more Michelin Stars per capita than any other city. Amazing food, nature and outdoor activities abound in the region, which I have been to several times, and Bilbao itself is home to the European Guggenheim art museum, an architectural wonder, and several other notable attractions.
Another great Spanish vacation destination is the island of Mallorca, with gorgeous beaches, world class cycling, amazing hiking, great food and about a dozen golf courses. airline flies to, except United, which added a non-stop to Palma, Mallorca’s capital, in the summer of 2022-right after I got back, of course.
Upgrades and Alliances
Last year United spent a billion dollars on upgrades to its Denver hub, including best-in-class new lounges, which I wrote about here at Forbes. They also added next generation lounges in Chicago and are currently upgrading their Houston hub.
United is part of what I think is the best of the big three airline consortiums, Star Alliance, with top quality carriers in every region of the globe, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish, ANA, Air New Zealand, EVA Air, Singapore, Thai, TAP and several others.
Featured Premium Cabin Flights to Morocco
Here are some featured premium cabin flights to Morocco:
| Route | Dates | Price (from) | Viewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark/New York (EWR) to Marrakesh (RAK) | 02/17/26 - 02/25/26 | $4,263 | 6 hours ago |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Marrakesh (RAK) | 12/05/25 - 12/12/25 | $4,462 | 6 hours ago |
| Chicago (ORD) to Marrakesh (RAK) | 02/24/26 - 03/11/26 | $3,898 | 9 hours ago |
| Houston (IAH) to Marrakesh (RAK) | 12/29/25 - 01/12/26 | $3,464 | 7 hours ago |
*Prices have been available for round trips within the last 48 hours and may not be currently available. For Economy class, fares listed may be Basic Economy, which is our most restrictive fare option and subject to additional restrictions. Additional baggage charges and fees for other optional service may apply. Other terms and conditions may apply.
United Airlines is committed to providing travelers with more options and convenient routes to exciting destinations around the world. With the new direct flights to Marrakech and other expansions, the world is now more accessible than ever.
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tags: #Morocco
