United Airlines’ Nonstop New York-Marrakesh Launches Today
| United Airlines | UA 628 | UA 627 |
|---|---|---|
| Route | EWR-RAK | RAK-EWR |
| Departs | 9:45pm EST | 1:20pm CET |
| Arrives | 11:20am CET +1 | 4:25pm EST |
| Duration | 7h35 | 9h05 |
| Equipment | B767-300 | B767-300 |
| Frequency | Tue, Thurs, Sat | Sun, Wed, Fri |
| Season | Winter 24/25 | Winter 24/25 |
| Inaugural Flight | Oct 24, 2024 | Oct 25, 2024 |
United Airlines’ first scheduled flight to Marrakesh, Morocco will depart Newark tonight (Thursday, October 24, 2024) at 9:45pm EDT. UA 628 has a scheduled flying time of 7 hours and 35 minutes and is expected to arrive Marrakesh Menara Airport at 10:20am CET the next morning.
Westbound flight UA 627 from Marrakesh to Newark departs Marrakesh Menara at 1:00pm CET on Friday, October 25, 2024 and arrives Newark 9 hours and 5 minutes later, at 5:05pm EDT.
EWR-RAK is open for booking on united.com, with MileagePlus Economy redemption starting at 70,000 miles roundtrip (+$48) for sample dates searched in January 2025. The lowest nonstop roundtrip fare on United’s website is currently $737 in Basic Economy (Jan 28-Feb 5, 2025).
The Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday evening departures and Wednesday/Friday/Sunday returns are well-timed for leisure travelers wanting a weekend or short getaway to Morocco. UA 628/627 operates three times weekly through the winter season until March 27, 2025.
A market stall selling leather goods in the historic souks of Marrakesh near Jemaa el-Fna square
Alternatively, travelers have the option of flying on oneworld member Royal Air Maroc’s daily nonstop from New York (JFK) to Casablanca (CMN), codesharing with American Airlines, which departs JFK at 8:45pm and arrives Casablanca the next morning at 8:50am. Connecting onwards to Marrakesh (including connection time) adds about 3 hours from Casablanca. Overland travel from Casablanca to Marrakesh by train or private vehicle also takes about 3 hours.
UA 628 to Marrakesh Takes travelers to the heart of Morocco
The medieval walls of Essaouira featured in “Game of Thrones”
For many visitors to Morocco, Marrakesh’s Jemaa el-Fna square and its surrounding souks are a top destination, with plenty of affordable accommodations in the historic city center. But it’s also a great jumping off point for travel over the Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate and M’Hamid El Ghizlane. The Compagnie de Transport au Maroc (CTM) offers direct buses to both Ouarzazate and M’Hamid.
For travelers wanting to visit the Atlantic city of Essaouira, made famous as a shooting location in Game of Thrones, Marrakesh is the logical stepping off place, with convenient overland travel by CTM public bus (daily departure from Marrakesh at 8:30am) or private vehicle taking 2.5 to 3 hours.
Newark to Marrakesh Will Use United’s B767-300ER Aircraft
United’s Boeing 767-300ER aircraft will fly between Newark and Marrakesh
United’s winter 2024/25 nonstop to Marrakesh will be operated on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with three cabins: United Economy, United Premium Plus and United Polaris business with lie-flat beds. The seat plan includes 93 seats in United Economy, 22 seats in United Premium Plus, and 49 seats in United Polaris business.
Easy Connections to Marrakesh from Across the US
The late evening departure from Newark is timed to enable connecting flights from the eastern seaboard. Even travelers from Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver and Houston have conveniently-timed connecting flights. However, travelers originating in Boston, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco and Washington DC also have the option of a one-stop connection to Marrakesh via Lisbon on TAP Air Portugal (Star Alliance). Travelers from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami can connect via Madrid to Marrakesh on Iberia (oneworld).
Examples of good connections to United Airlines Flight 628 include:
| Origin | Route | Flight | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | CLT-EWR | UA 1747 | 6:25pm | 8:25pm |
| Cleveland | CLE-EWR | UA 281 | 4:55pm | 6:32pm |
| Denver | DEN-EWR | UA 1393 | 1:49pm | 7:44pm |
| Detroit | DTW-EWR | UA 3455 | 6:15pm | 8:06pm |
| Houston | IAH-EWR | UA 2608 | 2:31pm | 7:04pm |
| Los Angeles | LAX-EWR | UA 1488 | 11:30am | 7:55pm |
| Nashville | BNA-EWR | UA 1777 | 2:19pm | 5:38pm |
| Phoenix | PHX-EWR | UA 2363 | 11:07am | 6:59pm |
Total travel time to Marrakesh using the above connecting flights to UA 628, including the layover in Newark:
Charlotte to Marrakesh: 10h55
Cleveland to Marrakesh: 12h25
Denver to Marrakesh: 13h31
Detroit to Marrakesh: 11h05
Houston to Marrakesh: 13h49
Los Angeles to Marrakesh: 14h50
Nashville to Marrakesh: 14h01
Phoenix to Marrakesh: 14h13
Using United MileagePlus Miles to Fly from the US to Marrakesh via Newark
United MileagePlus Economy reward redemption was available for 45K miles one way from Newark to Marrakesh on Oct 24, 2024
At the time of posting, United MileagePlus rewards were available for redemption starting at 45,000 miles one way in United Economy from the continental US to Marrakesh. Various departures were available for 45,000 miles between October 24, 2024 and March 27, 2025.
There were a few Economy Saver awards available on the return leg for only 25,000 miles, resulting in a roundtrip reward redemption of 70,000 miles if dates are flexible.
—Tim Haig
