Casablanca – As preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Royal Air Maroc has announced one of its largest special travel operations linked to an international sporting event, unveiling an extensive air transport program aimed at facilitating travel for Moroccan supporters heading to the United States to back the Atlas Lions.

The national carrier plans to operate 32 additional flights during the group stage of the tournament, significantly expanding its transatlantic network between Morocco and several major American cities hosting Morocco’s matches. The operation will provide more than 8,800 extra seats between June 11 and June 27, 2026, reflecting expectations of exceptionally strong demand from Moroccan football fans.

The special program targets three host cities in the United States — New York, Boston, and Atlanta — where Morocco national football team is scheduled to play its first-round matches during the expanded 2026 tournament.

The initiative marks another major logistical operation by Royal Air Maroc after similar programs introduced during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar, both of which saw large numbers of Moroccan supporters traveling abroad to follow the national team.

According to the airline, the objective is to allow as many supporters as possible to attend the World Cup while maintaining accessible fares and increasing direct connections between Morocco and the United States during one of the busiest travel periods expected in recent years.

New York to receive largest share of additional flights

New York will represent the centerpiece of the airline’s World Cup operation. Royal Air Maroc plans to operate 12 extra direct flights to the city between June 11 and June 15, 2026, in addition to its regular services already scheduled during the tournament period.

The airline currently operates two daily flights to New York, and the additional World Cup rotations are expected to raise overall passenger capacity on the route to nearly 7,500 travelers. More than 3,300 supporters are expected to use the special flights dedicated to the opening phase of the competition.

The strengthened New York schedule reflects both the city’s importance as a major international gateway and the anticipated concentration of Moroccan supporters traveling from Morocco, Europe, and North America.

Boston and Atlanta added to expanded World Cup network

Beyond New York, the airline will also launch 12 special direct flights to Boston between June 17 and June 22, allowing thousands of supporters to attend Morocco’s second group-stage match.

The Boston operation alone is expected to transport more than 3,300 Moroccan fans, according to figures released by the company.

One of the most notable developments in the program is the introduction of flights to Atlanta, a destination that has never before been served by Royal Air Maroc. The airline described the launch as a historic first within its network expansion strategy.

Eight direct flights will connect Morocco and Atlanta between June 22 and June 27, with capacity for more than 2,200 supporters. The move highlights the growing strategic importance of U.S. routes for the Moroccan airline, particularly as North America becomes an increasingly important market for tourism, business travel, and the Moroccan diaspora.

Wide-body aircraft and expanded capacity

Royal Air Maroc stated that all special flights will be operated using wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul transatlantic travel. The airline emphasized that the aircraft selected for the operation will provide enhanced standards of passenger comfort, onboard service, and operational reliability during the tournament period.

The company said the additional flights are intended to respond to a sharp increase in travel demand expected around Morocco’s World Cup matches, especially following the national team’s historic performances in recent international competitions.

Morocco’s strong run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar generated unprecedented enthusiasm among supporters and significantly boosted the global visibility of Moroccan football. Expectations surrounding the national team remain high ahead of the 2026 edition, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Promotional fare announced for supporters

To encourage fan participation, Royal Air Maroc has introduced a fixed promotional round-trip economy fare of approximately $1,030 for travelers using the special World Cup flights.

The tickets are being offered under fixed-date and non-refundable conditions, a model designed to optimize seat allocation during what is expected to be an exceptionally high-demand travel period.

Sales opened on May 20, 2026, through Royal Air Maroc agencies across Morocco as well as via a dedicated online booking platform established specifically for World Cup travel.

The airline expects reservations to remain strong in the months leading up to the competition as supporters finalize travel arrangements for the tournament.

Strategic importance for Royal Air Maroc

The operation also reflects Royal Air Maroc’s broader ambitions to strengthen its long-haul network and reinforce its role as Morocco’s flagship carrier during major international events.

In recent years, the airline has expanded several international routes while increasing investments in fleet modernization and transatlantic connectivity. The addition of Atlanta to its network during the World Cup is viewed as part of this longer-term development strategy.

For Morocco, the World Cup represents not only a sporting event but also an opportunity to reinforce the country’s international image and strengthen ties with Moroccan communities abroad.

With tens of thousands of supporters expected to travel across North America during the tournament, Royal Air Maroc’s expanded program is likely to play a central role in facilitating mobility between Morocco and the host countries while supporting the growing international profile of Moroccan football.