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Old Sep 29, 2024 | 3:18 am
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jm0754
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: All over 4.2MM AA EXP, UA 1MM, DL PLT, MARR LIFE PLT
Posts: 247
Royal Air Maroc Business Class - A Sad Experience

I flew LHR-CMN and later CMN-DOH on a RAM 787-8 and 787-9 respectively. RAM is a poorly run airline.

From LHR-CMN the experience is as follows. There is no priority boarding for business class and passengers just swarm the gates. Once on board I found and an IPad at my seat. The crew simply kept the device taking it back to Morocco and making no effort to call the passenger. That is pathetic. A pre-flight drink was offered but the incompetently designed seat on the 787-8 has no place to keep a drink at your business class seat. The seat itself is rather uncomfortable. The crew served a meal with a bite size starter and small main course. The food was marginal. Drinks were served warm. The crew offered only warm sodas and beers to passengers. They had no ice. The crew attitude was poor. The IFE was narrow in choices. On landing at a remote stand business class passengers were bused in a dedicated Mercedes bus. The process was slow. Customs was empty yet clearing it took a long time.

From CMN-DOH the experience was worse. Just entering CMN airport requires a long wait in a security line to have your bags scanned and passport checked. This was ridiculous. Check in was ok but they had no idea how to issue my onward boarding pass on Qatar Airways. I entered priority security were again my passport was checked by security. Some passengers were asked about carrying Moroccan money but the customs officer starting chatting with a friend so let me pass. Thereafter, I placed my bags in security scan and had my passport checked yet again at the metal detector. Then, a line of 15 people ensued to clear customs. This process took 20 minutes as the pace is gruelingly slow. After customs, they checked my passport again and alas I entered the Zenith lounge that was filthy, hot, overcrowded and otherwise awful. I elected to walk the terminal which was cleaner and has some AC going. Basically, forget the lounge.

Boarding was a total disgrace as no pre-boarding was offered and some of us Business Class passengers simply walked to the front of the line. The agent let us cut the line. However, the Business class bus was not present once outside so we stood in the heat. Later, a bus came with no working AC. When we got to the plane they could not board us so we stood by the stairs sweating away. The 787-9 has a better seat similar to Cathay or AA J class. Sadly, the faux leather makes you sweat like crazy. They should have used fabric. Service on board is non existent and the crew are rude/dismissive. They served warm champagne, some canapes, a marginal main course and a dessert. Drink choices are limited and ice is scarce so you get 1-2 ice cubes at best for your beverage. The contempt the crew had for passengers was obvious. The IFE sucks and choices are limited. Ill mannered passengers shouted from time to time. A pre-arrival meal was served. I had a quiche that was cold so I did not eat it. It was the size of a cookie. Arrival in Doha was hard as we had a remote stand and getting on a bus took a long time. Business class received no priority.

For one positive note they never weighed or checked my carry on where my European sized roll aboard was 12 kg (over the limit) and I had a mid size backpack as well. That was a relief. Most Y class passengers seemed to follow the one roll aboard rule on the RAM website but not all.

RAM is a dreadful airline and there is no joy at all when flying with them.
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