Announced a few days ago, although we knew it would happen soon, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and its subsidiary Royal Air Maroc Express will join the Oneworld alliance on 1st April 2020, making it the first Oneworld carrier based in Africa (if you don't count British Airways' franchisee Comair). It is also six years since we last had an airline joining Oneworld, and unfortunately for British Airways Executive Club members, LATAM will be leaving Oneworld later this year.

I had already added Royal Air Maroc's marginal 2000+ routes to this guide a few weeks ago. Nearly all of its long haul flights depart from Casablanca airport, and RAM already has codeshared flights with American Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian and S7 Airlines. Starting from 4th June there will also be non-stop service to Morocco on American Airlines.

In case you were familiar with RAM's frequent flyer programme, Oneworld Emerald will be granted to top-tier Safar Flyer Platinum members, and Safar Flyer Gold will be Oneworld Sapphire with Safar Flyer Silver becoming Oneworld Ruby.

What do we know about Royal Air Maroc?

Based in its Casablanca hub and 98% owned by the country's government, RAM averaged 245 daily flights and carried 7.5 million passengers in 2019. By 2025 it is hoping to have at least 27 more new destinations taking it from 94 to 121.

It has 60 aircraft in its fleet comprising Boeing 737-800, Embraer 190, Boeing 767 and Boeing 787-8. RAM's subsidiary Royal Air Maroc Express has five ATR 72s.

Unfortunately for the discerning traveller, Royal Air Maroc does not offer a First Class cabin, nor a Premium Economy cabin. Nearly all international routes are Economy Class or a sloping bed Business Class.

Bottom Line

RAM will temporarily bring Oneworld up to 13 airlines until LATAM's departure later this year with no stop gap in sight. For BA Executive Club and Oneworld travellers who need to travel to the inner African countries though, RAM certainly looks to be a strategically placed for transfers and utilising your Avios.