Today I’m finally on my way back home. To be honest, this has been rather an exhausting trip, so I’m glad to be on my way.
Getting to the Airport
The flight to Paris Orly departs at 08h10. The night before, I order a car with the concierge to pick me up at the hotel at 06h00 in the morning. The journey to the airport takes about twenty minutes.
Check-In
The day before my flight I receive an SMS from Royal Air Maroc, inviting me to check in on the app. I’m not quite sure what for, though, seeing as I’ll still need to collect my boarding pass from a check-in counter and show my passport.
At least passport control is quiet this time of the morning. So is security. Then again, I’m confident that I could have smuggled a baby elephant in my luggage and nobody would have noticed.
The Rabat Pearl Lounge
Right after security is the Pearl Lounge, which apparently also functions as a staff canteen or something. There’s plenty of room to sit. Food and drinks have to be ordered from the lounge attendant – which isn’t quite so easy because her working day obviously doesn‘t start until later.
Boarding
Boarding for the flight starts at 07h30. It‘s only after all the able bodied passengers are aboard that the five wheelchair passengers are brought onto the plane, which is not ideal, to say the least.
The Cabin & Seat
The aircraft has a dedicated Business Class cabin with three rows in a 2 + 2 configuration. The first impression of the cabin is a bit mixed. I really like the colours and the design. On the down side, there’s quite an off putting smell and the seats are not all that clean.
Initially, I’m seated on 1A. The seat next to me is also occupied. However, once boarding is completed, I notice that the row behind me is still free, so I quickly grab my things and move a row back.
The seat pitch on row two is much better than on the first row. For one, I am able to stretch out my legs. For another, there’s also a foot rest that there isn’t on row 1.
The Cabin Crew & Service
There are two cabin crew working the Business Class cabin. They’re nicely turned out and their uniform is quite attractive. Especially the younger one serving the Business Class cabin has expertly done make up. The service on the ground starts with a welcome drink. There’s water, lemon and mint, or orange juice. The lemon juice is very refreshing and sweet.
Despite the hold up with the special needs passengers, we manage to push back on time.
As we taxi out, we pass this Indonesian A 330. I’m wondering what it’s doing here. In the background they’re constructing a new terminal.
By the time we enter the runway and line up, the cabin crew are still only halfway through the safety demonstration, so the cockpit crew duly wait until they receive the all clear from the maître de. Don‘t get me wrong, I think it speaks of RAM‘s commitment to safety that they do wait. Safety must always come first, who cares about the funky cabin smell anyway! I just also find it interesting because I think it says a lot about the extent of the traffic handled at the airport if an aircraft can just hold on the runway, rather than at the holding point, until the safety briefing is done
The Meal
The meal service starts 45 minutes after take-off. They’re heating up the hot meals. The service starts with a packaged towel which is nicely scented.
On the tray is the hot meal – omelette with potatos, mushrooms , and tomato – a warm roll and a croissant with bread and butter, fruit, and a natural joghurt.
With the meal, they serve hot Moroccan mint tea. There’s also a glass of orange juice and a glass of water, both of which are still dirty from the previous time they were used. I think I‘ll pass, thanks.
I’m a creature of habit. So, after the meal I ask the cabin crew to bring me a cup of coffee, which is served with a square of orange flavoured dark chocolate.
Arrival
Earlier than expected we start our descent into Paris. As we turn onto the approach, I can see the Eiffel Tower off in the distance.
We land right behind the flight from Lisbon, which I took the previous week. It looks as though I lucked out because today’s flight is operated by a puny A 319.
Royal Air Maroc operates out of Orly 4, which is the non-Schengen terminal. Passport control is a breeze.
Getting into Paris
I exit arrivals and follow the signs to the Orlyval. It’s eight minutes via Orly 1 to Antony. And from there I take the RER B and then an A train to the Gare de Lyon.
My train to Basel doesn’t leave until 16h22, so I figure I might was have lunch at the…
Conclusion
The flight with RAM was a bit of a mixed bag. I think travelling from Rabat instead of Casablanca was certainly the more pleasant option. RAM was quite okay, even though the grime in the cabin and the dirty glasses were not very appealing. To be honest, if I had to go there again, very likely I think I‘d take Air France instead.
Morning William. RAM 737 Biz class 12 or 16 seats?. Fun fact —- in the eighties they attempted to compete with Swissair and Lufthansa by having 3 classes on all their flights. The Train Bleu Ceiling is rather beautiful.
Didnt read closely enough—— its 12!
I think,like you, i would choose AF[or indeed any Euro mainland carrier] over RAM for travel to Morroco—————— for obvious reasons!!!
Hi Peter, RAM is a rather fascinating airline. Unlike Air Algérie and Tunisair, their service is not half bad. And their standards were good enough for Oneworld.
Hi William—–You are right,—-one very bad report about Tunisair that i read [ VERY dirty,collapsed seats, awful food has rather clouded my opinion of north african carriers—–in fact african carriers in general. I know it isnt PC ,but if i ever need to go to ‘Darkest’ africa i will choose a western airline with good overall standards—– safety being the most important. You do hear some worrying reports of safety standards on African airlines——-and then there is the cleanliness. Give me BA,LX,AF,LH.
Too bad about the dirty glasses. Though even without that, that looks more like a long haul economy meal than a premium one. And smell aside, the interiors are nice and unique.
That is a lovely ceiling at the end.
The glasses weren’t dirty in the sense that they were already used. They just clearly hadn’t been washed properly. Not sure which is worse. I agree though about the interiors. It’s a very comfy ride in those seats. If only everything weren’t so sticky.
Looks like the Lion Air was in Rabat for Hajj flights. It’s been in and out of Jeddah a lot this month.
Hi Fabian, thanks for the info. If I may, was is operating as a Lion Air service or on behalf of Saudia?