Welcome to my final part of my Royal Air Maroc Flying Adventures!
My ride: CN-RHE
Photo: Diego Rui de Vargas - Iberian Spotters
This is the final part of my Moroccan trip and it had been an eye opener for both of us. For this flight, I chose the flight back to LHR main purpose is to try out the airline's newer 737 aircraft featuring the newer cabin product so that I can experience it and also share my experience with you. My flight experience with the airline so far has been alright, apart from the basic cabin, at least there are drop down screens on the Boeing 737-800 which beats having no entertainment. If you are flying on the 737-800 from Europe to Morocco, you might want to power up your devices as there are no usb charging ports available on this aircraft, only the 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft have it. For this final part, I will fly on the airline's 737 MAX 8 and let me share with you on my experience and thoughts about it, after that I will wrapped up my 4 parts series of this airline in my conclusion. So without further ado, let's begin this trip report!
About Royal Air Maroc's Boeing 737 MAX 8
There are 3 different configurations for this aircraft type.
Configuration A: 156 seats - 12 Business Class and 144 Economy Class
Configuration B: 176 seats - 8 Business Class and 168 Economy Class
Configuration C: 189 seats - 189 Economy Class
The aircraft configuration I flew on was configuration A.
For those wondering which 737 MAX 8 with special livery is under which configuration, this is the information:
CN-MAY (Royal Moroccan Football Federation Partner Special Livery) - Configuration A
Transiting at Casablanca Airport
After managing to avoid the long queue at the international transfer, we headed out to the land side via the domestic arrival.
As we were hungry, we settled for breakfast at this cafe. There was not a lot of options for us, something the airport can improve on with their new terminal and that is more food options.
Royal Air Maroc's office
This is the upper level of the landside.
This is Royal Air Maroc's departure area.
Airside
Do note: both terminals are connected.
Security check was done within 15 minutes after immigration check was completed.
Entering the airside through terminal 1.
After security check is done, you will pass through the duty free shop.
Welcome to the airside!
There is McDonald's at the departure area (airside).
The interior of the airside at terminal 1.
There are shops and restaurants to check out.
Eateries are plentiful.
Departure board
This terminal has recently been upgraded.
This way to terminal 2.
This is terminal 2 departure hall (airside)
Our flight departed from this terminal.
Somehow the interior of this part of the terminal reminds me of Santiago's SCL airport Terminal 2.
Just like terminal 1, there are plenty of cafes and duty-free shops to check out.
I bought a few snacks from one of these shops.
This is where my flight departed from. (Gate A9)
There is a food court in the departure hall (terminal 2 airside) where we would come for our breakfast if we had known.
I made my way back to the other terminal to meet up with my mum.
Our flight is the 2nd LHR flight for the day for this airline as the earlier flight departed about 2 hours after ours. That flight was also operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Time to say goodbye to Morocco! Thanks for the memories.
Our ride: CN-RHE
On this flight, we got to experience the airline's newer jet.
My ride: CN-RHE
Photo: Diego Rui de Vargas - Iberian Spotters
Flight route: CMN-LHR
Distance: 2,094 km (Estimated)
Average Flight Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
Airlines flying on this route: Royal Air Maroc
My seat: 24F
Photo: Aerolopa.com
Date of departure: 21st Februrary 2026
Airline: Royal Air Maroc
Flight: AT806
Route: CMN-LHR
Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
Registration: CN-RHE
Seat: 24F
Departure Terminal: 1
Gate: A6
Load: 100%
Flight Time (Average): 3 hours
Actual Flight Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Schedule Departure: 1345
Boarding: 1315
Push Back: 1350
Take Off: 1403
Schedule Arrival: 1700
Actual Arrival: 1701
Departure Runway: 35R
Departure Weather: Clear
Arrival Runway: 27R
Arrival weather: Raining
My Experience
Over at the airside, there are plenty of restaurants at the international departure hall and we should have headed over there to have our meals but whatever it is at least we know now and one thing for sure, it is certainly more interesting over at the airside than the landside for this terminal.
Boarding process for our gate departure was in a mess asthe ground staff seemed overwhelmed and inexperience. The worst thing is nothing was done to reogranise the queue and we just joined whichever queue that would lead us quickly to the passport and boarding pass check in order to board the aircraft. Once on board, I notice the vast difference between this aircraft and the older 737-800 cabin. Just like the older siblings, this aircraft only has the overhead tv screen but at least there are USB charging ports and universal sockets available on this aircraft. The cabin is obviously newer and the Boeing Sky Interior is certainly an improvement over the previous generation cabin.
This set of crew was not very good, they seem to have their minds somewhere else, at least the ones that served our row during the flight. The announcement were made by both the cabin and flight crew and at least we were kept well updated on our flight progress.
Once we were on our way, my mum and I entertained ourselves with the card game and the meal service started not long after the seat belt sign was turned on. The flight was smooth for most parts except for the arrival into London, we encounted a bit of bumps during our descent.
For the meal service, we had a choice of chicken, fish and vegetarian. We chose the chicken and fish option and we found the meal to be quite alright, nothing excited about the quality. For the Inflight TV programme, they showed the classic Charlie Chaplin but at least the inflight map was shown briefly after take off and before arrival.
Overall it was a pleasant flight and the 737 MAX 8 cabin is certainly more comfortable than the older 737-800 cabin. This was my first flight on the 737 MAX 8 together with my mum and I look forward to fly on other aircraft models with her in the near future, perhaps the Airbus A220 series with her next time!
Business Class
(Configuration A: C12 Y144)
Do note: No inflight entertainment individual screen installed in both classes.
There are 12 business class configured in a 2-2 with 3 rows located at the front of the aircraft cabin.
- Collins Aerospace MiQ seats
- Adjustable Headrest
- Retractable foot rest
- Bi-folding table
- Legroom space of 36 inches
- Seat width of 21 inches
- Seat can recline up to 7 inches
- USB-A Socket is available
- Universal Power Socket is available (110V)
These seats looks narrower than the 737-800 business class and in fact, are you sure this is business class seats? That was my thought when I walked past them.
I wanted to upgrade to this class cabin but end up decided not to and I was glad I didn't because these seats are more of premium economy class and the offer to upgrade was around 400 Euros per person.
With no seatback television, I am glad I saved those Euros!
The extra legroom space is the only good thing about these seats.
On our way to our seats!
The overhead compartment space
Economy Class
There are 144 seats in this cabin, configured in a 3-3 seating configuration.
Row 8 to 32
- The standard seats have a legroom space of 32 inches
- Row 17 and 18 (Emergency rows) have legroom space of 38 inches
- Seat width of 17 inches
- Seat can recline up to 3 inches except rows 16 and 17
- Adjustable head rest
- USB-A Socket is available
- Universal Socket is available (110V)
The first row of the economy class offers more slightly legroom space than the standard seats.
I find these seats to be quite comfortable and the seatback design on it has certainly caught my attention.
The colour of the seatbelt, seat and head rest cover do match with one another.
Do note that seat 12A is windowless and seats 14A and 14F have misaligned seats with the window.
Legroom space at the emergency rows are at a generous 38 inches.
This would have been my selected seat if there was no additional charges to it.
A better view of the emergency row seats
After the emergency row, the window seats are mostly aligned to the window.
The rear view of the cabin
Rear view of the cabin from my seat
I thought it was a pretty comfortable and cozy cabin.
A closer look at the seat
This has to be one of the nicest 737 MAX 8 economy class cabin in my opinion.
View of the seats arcoss the aisle.
Safety demonstration was done on a video shown by the drop-down screen.
View of the cabin with the mood lighting in action.
Inflight Entertainment Screen
Charlie Chaplin in action!
Drop-down screen showing some cartoons
The cabin interior (during disembarkment)
Thanks for the comfortable ride, CN-RHE!
One last look of the economy class seat.
More photos of the seat
The 32 inches of legroom space is not too bad.
What is important is there is no kind of box at the legrest area obstructing or reducing the legroom space.
Legroom space is alright for me. (I am 192 cm tall)
USB charging port and tablet holder are available.
For this aircraft, individual aircon vents are available.
My mum was satisfied with the seat.
The literature holder consists of the disposal bag, inflight magazine and safety card.
The adjustable headrest
Tray tables come in very handy.
Window is perfectly aligned to my seat.
Cabin view during inflight
Universal socket is available.
What's provided for each passenger?
Disposal Bag
Instructions on connecting the wifi (not available on this flight)
Inflight magazine
This is the fish option which comes with rice mixed with veggie.
Along with the main meal, it comes with a piece of bread and cupcake with condiments.
This was my meal, I chose the chicken option.
It was not bad.
For beverage, I opted for a can of coke.
Our Entertainment
Once we again, we played our favourite 'Daidee' game.
Window view photos (Take off to Landing)
The split winglets which all the 737 MAX aircraft have and some Boeing 737NG aircraft opted by some airlines to upgrade the winglets to improve the fuel effficiency of the aircraft.
On our way to the active runway.
The midday traffic at Casablanca airport.
Passing by this colourful livery of this 737 MAX 8.
We reached the intersection of the taxiway.
Getting closer to the runway.
Here we are, we turned into the active runway.
Took off in this beautiful weather!
Just a bit of turbulence during our climb to our assigned flight level.
It was a successful trip, I am glad everything went well despite a few bumps we encountered along the way.
Leaving the land on Africa!
One last look of the African continent before we flew over water.
We were flying over Portugal at this point.
It was beginning to get a bit cloudy at this point.
Despite the slightly cloudy condition, we were able to enjoy the mountain alpes.
Flying into London was a different affair in terms of weather.
We flew through some clouds but luckily it was hardly turbulent.
It turned out, there were a few layers of clouds in the U.K region.
The dreadful sight especially for nervous flyers, flying through thick clouds!
It took quite a while flying through these clouds before we caught sight of land.
Typical U.K weather!
At least we get to enjoy some beautiful scenery during our approach into London Heathrow.
Our aircraft was fully configured for landing.
Few more seconds to touch down!
It would be great to be able to do plane photography over at one of the apartments below.
Notice the scenery changes quickly!
Anyone like to guess how many vehicles there are?
Almost there!
Finally, we touched down smoothly.
With reversal thrust and speed brake deployed.
Some showers for us while we were taxiing to the gate.
Welcome to London Heathrow!
Not the best weather as the rain was coming in quite a fair bit as we parked at our assigned parking lot.
For the aircraft and crew, they were to stay for a couple of hours before returning back to Casablanca.
My flight summary
Welcome to London Heathrow Airport!
We disembarked at terminal 4.
The walk towards immigration took less than 10 minutes.
It was nice to be able to use the automated immigration machines.
Once immigration was cleared, we made our way to the arrival hall.
Passing by the luggage carousel.
This is the arrival hall.
We took the Elizebeth line to Liverpool Street Station.
This way to the train station.
The impressive train interior on board the train on the Elizebeth line.
This is Barking station based along the district line.
My accommodation is about 15 minutes walk from the station.
My accommodation is located near a primary school.
My ratings
Airline Website/Mobile App: 4/5
Airport Experience (Casablanca Airport): 3/5
Inflight Service: 2.5/5
Seat Comfort: 3.5/5
Inflight Entertainment: 3/5
Cabin Ambiance: 5/5
Cabin Condition: 5/5
Cleanliness: 4/5
Inflight Meal/Beverage: 3/5
Punctuality: 2/5 (Late by 11 minutes)
Total Score: 35/50
Percentage: 70%
Conclusion
All 4 flights completed without any hiccups and from my experience so far, the airline has certainly have a lot to do to catch up with the top tier airlines with better inflight experience and hopefully they can work on it on their new aircraft. Since there is no plans for the airline to install individual seatback entertainment system, at least there should be WiFi installed with streaming of the airline's entertainment programmes made available. While some might argue that is there really a need for Wifi these days, if the airline are charging a lot more thanks to the soaring fuel prices, it's fair for us to have more options on board, with some able to do their work with the Wifi connection, keep us entertained using our own devices, I don't see why not? I can understand why this airline choose to save the weight by not installing the IFE seatback on the narrowbody aircraft to cut down on maintainence fees. For the inflight service on all the 4 flights, it was nothing to shout about, there wasn't any outstanding crew that caught my eye but at least all of them got their job done and more importantly we didn't encounter any rude ones.
Was there any flight in particular that I enjoy? Well, I suppose it has to be the domestic flights as the view were spectacular with good weather blessing us during our stay.
One advantage about flying with this airline is the ability to earn points especially if you are a member of the frequent flyer from the Oneworld Alliance and for this case, I had membership with Qatar Airways. The great news for me after the flights is that I was able to achieve silver status after accumulating points for completing my flights with this airline.
Overall, I am satisfied with my flight with this airline, the airfares may be a bit steep but because there is lack of competition on the route, it is not a surprise the airline is charging higher. However, I won't hestiate to fly with this airline again and perhaps next time on the airline's Boeing 787 aircraft.
A preview to the next trip report
Another new airline for my logbook: Star Alliance's Brussels Airlines!
Thanks for reading, have a great one!
Charles Ryan
With that said, the journey continues - see you in my next blog post!
For my previous trip report (Part 3: RAK-CMN on Royal Air Maroc's Boeing 737-800), click here
For my next trip report (Brussels Airlines A320neo Part 1), coming out soon!
