Royal Air Maroc often finds itself on the receiving end of bad reviews, especially among frequent flyers within the oneworld alliance. Curious to see whether the criticism was justified, I recently flew in Royal Air Maroc’s Economy Class. While the experience had its fair share of frustrations, particularly on the ground, it also delivered some unexpected highlights once onboard.
Check-in Experience: Confusing and Frustrating
The check-in experience with Royal Air Maroc was, without exaggeration, one of the most frustrating I have encountered in recent years. It immediately reminded me of the often inconsistent service seen with American Airlines, which is not exactly a benchmark you want to emulate. At the counter, the agent initially refused to check my bag and directed me to the priority counter without a clear explanation. It took intervention from a colleague for her to finally agree to process my luggage. This lack of consistency and communication set the tone for what would become a rather disorganized ground experience.
Things became even more complicated when I asked to be checked in for my connecting Royal Jordanian flight. Despite both airlines being part of the oneworld alliance and both flights being on the same ticket, the agent flatly refused, stating that it was “a different airline.” This is a basic interline function that should not require negotiation.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, I approached the business class counter, hoping for a more experienced agent. Unfortunately, the response was identical at first. Only after I explicitly pointed out that both airlines are members of oneworld did the agent reluctantly agree to issue the boarding pass. The entire interaction felt unnecessarily difficult, leaving the impression that staff were either undertrained or unwilling to go the extra mile.
Boarding Process: Efficient and Well-Organized
Thankfully, the experience improved significantly during boarding. Royal Air Maroc handled the process efficiently, and priority groups were respected, which is always a welcome sign of operational discipline.
As a oneworld status member, I also appreciated the ability to select seats for free, a benefit that adds tangible value when flying economy. Boarding proceeded smoothly, without the chaos or gate crowding that often plagues other carriers. This part of the journey demonstrated that the airline is capable of delivering a structured and professional experience when processes are clearly defined.
Cabin and Seat Comfort: Showing Its Age
Stepping into the aircraft, it became immediately apparent that the plane was quite old. In fact, the cabin’s condition was surprising enough to raise initial doubts about how modern—or well-maintained—the fleet really is.
The seat itself was not particularly comfortable, especially for taller passengers. The backrest felt too short, offering limited upper body support, which can become noticeable even on relatively short flights. While the legroom was acceptable and did not feel overly restrictive, the overall ergonomics of the seat left much to be desired.
The cabin design and wear-and-tear gave the impression of an aging product that has not kept pace with competitors. While everything functioned as expected, there was little in terms of modern touches or enhancements that would elevate the experience.
Food and Service: A Pleasant Surprise
One of the most surprising aspects of the flight was the onboard meal service. On a short-haul economy flight, expectations are usually minimal, but Royal Air Maroc exceeded them in this regard. The meal itself was genuinely impressive. The omelette, in particular, stood out as one of the best I have had on an airplane. Unlike the often rubbery or artificial-tasting versions served by many airlines, this one actually resembled real food, both in taste and texture. It was a refreshing change from the norm.
Complimentary drinks were also served, adding to the overall value of the onboard offering. However, the service experience was somewhat inconsistent. The flight attendant distributing meals appeared disengaged and visibly unhappy, which detracted from the experience. In contrast, the crew member serving drinks was cheerful, friendly and professional, demonstrating that service quality can vary significantly even within the same flight.
Overall Experience: Better Than Its Reputation
Despite the rocky start at check-in, Royal Air Maroc’s Economy Class experience turned out to be more positive than expected. The airline delivered where it mattered most, in the air, with a decent onboard product, respectable catering and a smooth boarding process. The issues encountered at check-in seem less like isolated incidents and more reflective of broader customer service norms, particularly in Casablanca. While this does not excuse the inefficiencies, it does provide some context for the experience.
Ultimately, Royal Air Maroc is a decent airline that may be judged more harshly than it deserves. It has clear areas for improvement, especially in ground handling and staff training, but it also offers solid value in economy class. And if comparisons are to be made within the oneworld alliance, American Airlines still retains, in my opinion, the title of the crappiest carrier, making Royal Air Maroc’s performance look considerably better by contrast.
