Operated by the airline United Airlines, this airline represents the first point-to-point connection of an American company to Morocco and North Africa and follows the signing in March 2024 of an unprecedented agreement and history between the ONMT and United Airlines.
To celebrate the inaugural flight of this new route, a large delegation from United Airlines, led by Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of the company’s Global Network and Alliances, made the trip.
She was welcomed at Marrakech-Menara airport by a high-level Moroccan delegation, made up of ONMT teams and tourism operators and professionals, headed by the president of the National Tourism Confederation ( CNT), Hamid Bentahar.
Speaking on this occasion, the United States Ambassador to Morocco, Puneet Talwar, welcomed the inauguration of this new air link, which marks a “new era” in relations between the United States and Morocco, stressing that this service will “bring our people closer together and strengthen cultural exchanges” between the two countries.
After highlighting the strong ties of friendship between the two countries, Mr. Talwar indicated that this new connection will offer Americans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the richness of Moroccan heritage, while Moroccan travelers can now Easily discover New York and other major American destinations.
“Our two Nations share a common vision and values by celebrating diversity and welcoming people from diverse backgrounds. This openness is one of the fundamental values that consolidate our relations,” declared the American diplomat.
“We are proud to see for the first time in North Africa an American company landing on Moroccan soil,” rejoiced Mr. Bentahar, describing the launch of this service as a “historic event”.
This new line will make it possible to strengthen the promotion of the destination of Morocco on the American market, which is of extreme importance given its high contribution and its clientele known for their long stays, he explained.
The opening of this connection thus reflects the strategy and the desire of the Kingdom to “change dimension to conquer the most distant markets”, continued the president of the CNT, emphasizing “that we hope to make of this new line of United Airlines a real success in order to serve as an example for other companies.”
For her part, the director of the ONMT Office in New York, Ms. Siham Fettouhi, indicated that this flight marks a “historic moment”, highlighting the importance of the American market, hence the opening of this service as a means to attract more tourists and, therefore, allow them to discover the tourist potential of the Ocher City and of Morocco, in general.
Along the same lines, the vice-president of the international network of United Airlines, Matt Stevens, explained that this direct line will allow Americans and the company’s customers to easily travel to Morocco and discover “the rich cultural heritage of this magnificent country.
In addition to the United Airlines delegation, the flight included 35 travel advisors from the two largest American groups specializing in luxury tourism, namely Signature Travel Network and Virtuoso, which have a total of more than 32,000 travel agents.
The ONMT had signed strategic partnership agreements with these two major networks in June 2023 to strengthen the Morocco destination in the American market. These travel advisors will thus discover the destination Marrakech but also Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira and Agafay.
The historic New York-Marrakech route is operated with three weekly frequencies (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), in a 167-seat Boeing 767-300 configured with United Airlines’ award-winning cabins: Polaris, Premium Plus business and Premium Economy.
By launching this new direct line in partnership with United Airlines, the ONMT is strengthening its strategy on the American market, with the stated objective of ultimately reaching one million American tourists who visit Morocco each year.
What are the benefits of United Airlines’ new flight to Morocco for American travelers?
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to our latest edition of Expert Insights! Today, we have a special guest joining us, Mr. Patrick Quayle, the Senior Vice President of United Airlines’ Global Network and Alliances. We’re here to discuss the recent inaugural flight connecting the United States to Morocco—an exciting development for both travelers and tourism. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Quayle.
Patrick Quayle: Thank you for having me! It’s an honor to be here and discuss this landmark connection.
Time.news Editor: Let’s start with the significance of this new route. This is the first point-to-point connection from an American airline to Morocco. Can you share what this milestone represents for United Airlines and North African travel?
Patrick Quayle: Absolutely. This route marks a significant step not just for United Airlines, but for the entire aviation landscape between the U.S. and Morocco. It symbolizes our commitment to expanding international connections and opening doors for cultural exchange. We believe that travel fosters understanding and friendship, and this service will make it much easier for Americans to experience the rich heritage of Morocco and vice versa.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like this initiative is about more than just travel—it’s also about building relationships between the two countries. During the inaugural flight celebration, U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar emphasized that the flight would enhance cultural exchanges. How does United Airlines view its role in strengthening these ties?
Patrick Quayle: That’s a fantastic point. Our role goes beyond logistics; we see ourselves as a bridge connecting people. Ambassador Talwar highlighted our shared values of diversity and openness, and we believe that through increased connectivity, we can facilitate cultural interactions that deepen mutual understanding. This connection allows Americans to explore Morocco’s vibrant culture and heritage, while also allowing Moroccans to visit iconic destinations in the United States, like New York City.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, the potential for both tourism and business development is significant. The president of the National Tourism Confederation of Morocco, Hamid Bentahar, referred to this as a “historic event.” In what ways do you anticipate this route will impact Moroccan tourism?
Patrick Quayle: We fully expect this route to boost tourism in both directions. For Morocco, it opens access for American travelers who are known for longer stays and willingness to explore. This service will promote Moroccan destinations more effectively in the American market, showcasing the beauty and richness of Morocco. We’re hopeful this will encourage not just tourism, but also potential business relationships and investments.
Time.news Editor: That’s exciting to hear. There is a growing interest in authentic travel experiences. In your experience, how does this bilateral air service fulfill the evolving demands of international travelers?
Patrick Quayle: Modern travelers are looking for more than just a vacation; they want immersive experiences. This direct service caters to that desire, offering a seamless journey from the U.S. to iconic Moroccan cities where travelers can really engage with the local culture, cuisine, and history. It also means less hassle and more time spent enjoying their trip, which is what travel should be about.
Time.news Editor: what message would you like to convey to potential travelers considering this new route?
Patrick Quayle: I would encourage everyone to seize the opportunity to explore Morocco. It’s an incredibly diverse and welcoming country with much to offer, from stunning landscapes to rich traditions. This new route is just the beginning, and we’re excited to play our part in connecting our two nations further. We believe that exploring another culture can transform perspectives and create lasting memories.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Mr. Quayle, for sharing these insights. We look forward to seeing how this route unfolds and the positive impacts it will have on future travelers!
Patrick Quayle: Thank you for having me! I’m excited about what lies ahead.