Morocco’s national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, is one of the newest members of the oneworld alliance and a great option for using Qantas Points. En route to magical Marrakech, I fly from Doha to Casablanca and return in RAM’s Dreamliner Business Class.
While it’s not the polished product you’ll find on say Qatar Qsuite or Singapore Airlines, there’s a lot to love about Royal Air Maroc. The exoticism and warmth I encounter in Marrakech infuse every aspect of the experience, from the striking red and gold Business cabin to the affable crew and traditional Moroccan mint tea.
When I fly in September 2022, Royal Air Maroc has just returned to Doha after a pause during COVID. There’s an air of anticipation as I board the Dreamliner that will whisk me to Casablanca. Staff are visibly excited, and I’m delighted to go along for the ride.
Here’s what to expect in RAM’s Boeing 787 Business Class cabin, plus how you can book the flight on points.
Also read: Fly to exotic Marrakech on points
Check-in, lounge and boarding
My journey begins in Melbourne with a flight aboard Qatar’s famed 777 Qsuite Business Class from Melbourne to Doha. At check-in, the staff check my bag through to Casablanca and print my RAM boarding pass. As a result, I’m able to stay airside in Doha’s Hamad International Airport, where I take up residence in the sublime Qatar Al Mourjan Business Lounge.
Happily, Royal Air Maroc Business Class passengers can access this lounge thanks to the oneworld partnership. The proportions of this two-storey lounge are epic, with giant ceilings, a sparkling water feature and a huge range of places to dine, work and relax.
With a lengthy transit, I enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner here. Once they stamp your boarding pass at reception you can come and go freely. Each meal is excellent, and free-flow Champagne in the second-level restaurant only adds to the experience.
The hours whiz by, and before I know it it’s time to board my 7.5-hour Royal Air Maroc flight from Doha to Casablanca.
Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787 Business Class seating
Suitably for Morocco’s national carrier, the RAM Business cabin is awash with bold red and gold accents offset by a deep mauve. Leather seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with 6.5 rows (row 7 only has window seats due to the galley) – giving a total of 26 seats. There’s an outer shell for privacy and a massage function, while each seat converts into an 80-inch lie-flat bed.
On the subject of snoozing, though, RAM’s 787 Business Class lie-flat beds have a glaring omission. Once you recline the seat into a bed, a bizarre gap opens up in the central fold. It’s sizeable and rimmed by immovable metal bars. Without a mattress topper to ease the discomfort, it’s so unbearable I have to stuff it with a blanket (on both legs) in order to get some sleep. Not ideal.
My suite on the bulkhead, 1A, has two large windows, a spacious seat and bundles of legroom. Among the av-geek community, Suite 1A is akin to a hunting trophy. There’s the advantage of always being served first, of course. But in all honesty, it’s more a case of pride – of seeing 1A in bold on your boarding pass and having other passengers trudge past while you’re already settled in your suite.
In this case, though, noise from the galley and a slight lack of privacy mar the experience. Next time, I’ll choose suite 2A or 2K instead and forfeit the glory.
Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787 Business Class food and beverage
The food and beverage in RAM Business Class are a bit hit-and-miss. I have an incurable penchant for Champagne, so I’m disappointed to be offered just water or sweet lemon juice before take-off. Naturally, once we’re in the air I waste no time in requesting a glass of Laurent Perrier, one of my favourite non-vintage Champagnes.
There are also Moroccan wines and beer on offer, as well as traditional mint tea – a beloved Moroccan ritual. My crew member presents an ornate silver teapot with a curved spout and small etched glasses on a tray. She pours the steaming tea from a great height without spilling a drop. Colour me impressed.
Scanning the food menu before take-off, I’m shocked to find no Moroccan dishes on the menu (flying out of Morocco on RAM is a different story). I opt for the smoked salmon entree to start, which is so fresh the ingredients glisten in the light.
I’m already stuffed (three meals at the Al Mourjan Lounge will do that to you), so I pick the salmon fillet for the main. It’s paired with an incongruous barbeque sauce, though the soft creamy spinach is yummy. I feebly order the chocolate fudge cake for dessert and have a single bite before abandoning it in favour of sleep.
When I wake for breakfast, I’m greeted by a glorious sunrise and the heartening sight of Spain on the moving map. My cheese and mushroom omelette is delicious. Better than Qsuite, in fact. But I can hardly steal myself away from the view.
Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787 Business service, amenities and entertainment
Dressed in a jaunty uniform with Moroccan flair, the cabin crew are warm and relaxed. They hand out amenity kits before take-off. The bag’s not ultra-stylish, but I’m happy to report the contents are very good. Coveted Pier Auge products include hand cream, face cream, facial mist and a repairing lip balm. Two of the products are scented with divine orange blossom. This fragrance wafts on the breeze in Marrakech, a perfumed backdrop to your adventures.
Storage-wise, you’ll find plenty of space to stash your belongings. There are two compartments beside the windows, plus a reading pouch. Happily, the footwell is so spacious my tootsies don’t nearly reach the end. Perfect for stashing my handbag when I’m not sleeping.
On the entertainment front, individual 15.3-inch screens offer a below-average selection. There are just over 45 programs – including movies and TV shows. Though music lovers are better served, with 150 albums ready and waiting.
Booking this flight with points
I book my RAM flight from Doha to Casablanca as part of a oneworld redemption using Qantas Points. MEL-DOH-CMN-RAK costs 159,000 points in Business Class one-way.
To book this RAM Business Class flight as a single leg from Doha to Casablanca would have cost 61,200 Qantas Points plus approximately AU$250 one-way. Do note, though, that when booking on the Qantas site you can’t select Doha as your point of origin. Unfortunately, you’ll have to call Qantas’ infamous customer service line for that, or start your booking online with a different flight and add the Doha-Casablanca sector as the second flight onwards.
Summing up
RAM’s Boeing 787 Business Class product isn’t the schmickest or most luxurious. But with its authentic Moroccan flavour, friendly service and spacious suites, these are two flights I really enjoy.
Unfortunately, the painfully-uncomfortable gap in the lie-flat bed mars things, as does the inconsistent food quality and lack of pre-takeoff Champagne. But the service and uplifting cabin design partly make up for this.
So next time you’re jetting to Morocco or certain other destinations around Europe, why not give Royal Air Maroc a go? The unique experience doesn’t disappoint.
All photography by Antonia Strakosch, who travelled at Point Hacks’ expense. Featured image courtesy of Royal Air Maroc.
Other wise this is just a trip report which Point hack is doing more and more of in the past few years which is less valuable than providing data points on alternative point hacking methods.
https://www.pointhacks.com.au/travel-guides/morocco-2022/
I’m trying to picture what that looks like. Should I bring my sunglasses?