Leads groundbreaking global expansions of Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Senegallery Lead United Airlines, connecting the US to exciting new destinations

Friday, March 14th, 2025

United Airlines expands its global reach with new routes to Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal, providing unique and exciting destinations for travelers.

United Airlines recently embarked on one of the most important international network expansions in modern aviation history. Over the past two years, airlines have introduced over 12 new routes across the world. Of these routes, one outstanding service is United's seasonal flights from Newar Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK). This non-stop connection links the airline's major East Coast hubs to rapidly growing travel destinations in North Africa.

This flight reflects United's other seasonal routes to Europe and is designed to meet demand during peak travel seasons. What sets the service apart is the first departure in October during the winter, not during the summer in Europe, where US travelers gather. As the calendar approaches March, United will prepare to suspend the service for the summer season, making it possible to use aircraft on more profitable European routes. According to the aerial analytics platform Cirium, the last flight between Marrakech and Newark is scheduled for March 27, 2025, with the route scheduled for resume on October 25, 2025.

A closer look at the Marrakech route

United Airlines made history by becoming the first US-based career to provide direct flights to Marrakech when it launched it. The route is open three times a week and uses the Boeing 767-300ER with 46 Polaris Business Class seats and 22 Premium Plus seats. During the winter season, United Flight 828 departs Newark at 9:45pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and lands in Marrakech around 11am the following morning.

The return leg of the United Flight 627 will depart Marrakech at 1:20pm on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday and arrive in Newark around 4:25pm. This route to Marrakech marked the fifth African destination served by United Airlines, joining Accra in Ghana, Lagos in Nigeria, Johannesburg in South Africa. The expansion was part of United's biggest winter schedule in history, along with plans to launch a new route to Dakar, Senegal in the summer of 2025.

Why start the winter only route?

There are several compelling reasons why United Airlines chose to showcase its winter-only service. For one, Marrakech is an increasingly popular destination for winter travelers, with summer temperatures being extremely hot and potentially blocking visitors. By operating this route in a cool month, United are caught up in a market eager to explore Marrakech without having to withstand extreme heat.

Plus, the winter-only schedule allows United to optimize their fleet. Airlines can use aircraft on seasonal routes where they sit idle throughout the summer to ensure efficient fleet management all year round.