Delta’s First flight To Morocco Takes Off October 2025

Delta expands its African footprint with nonstop service from Atlanta to Morocco’s “Red City” and adds seasonal flights to Accra.

Delta is expanding its African network with new nonstop routes from Atlanta, including its first-ever service to Marrakech, Morocco*, starting Oct. 25. The airline is also adding seasonal service from Atlanta to Accra, Ghana, beginning Dec. 1, to meet peak winter demand. With these additions, Delta is making both destinations more accessible while bringing its renowned premium experience to more of Africa.

Since launching service to Africa in 2006, Delta has remained committed to connecting customers between the U.S. and the continent. Today, the airline operates nonstop flights to five African destinations year-round and has carried more than 7.5 million customers on these routes.

“Delta’s new service to Marrakech and added flights to Accra strengthen our presence in Africa, offering more opportunities for customers to enjoy our award-winning service and premium onboard experience,” said Paul Baldoni, Senior Vice President of Network Planning at Delta. “Whether discovering Morocco or reconnecting with loved ones in Ghana, these routes enhance our network while reinforcing Atlanta’s role as the world’s largest global hub.”

A new gateway to the magic of Marrakech

With its centuries-old traditions, vibrant souks and world-class luxury, Marrakech is a city that captivates the senses at every turn. As interest in Morocco increases, Delta’s new service—featuring one-stop connections from over 125 cities—opens the door to this UNESCO-listed destination like never before.

Customers can immerse themselves in the lively Medina of Marrakech, weaving through bustling markets and tranquil riads with sun-drenched courtyards. They can marvel at the intricate tilework of the Bahia Palace, feel the energy of Jemaa el-Fnaa Square and unwind with the soothing ritual of a hammam spa; each experience is a perfect blend of culture and relaxation, complemented by Morocco’s bold, aromatic cuisine. Just beyond the city, travelers can trek through the Atlas Mountains or escape to the serenity of a desert retreat.

Delta’s Atlanta-Marrakech flight, ATL-RAK, will operate three-times-weekly on a Boeing 767-400ER, featuring Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin. Delta One offers lie-flat seats, premium amenities and chef-curated meals, including a build-your-own ice cream sundae. Delta Premium Select provides a wider seat, deeper recline and an enhanced dining experience. 

Now boarding: fast, free Wi-Fi on routes to West Africa

Delta is on a journey to bring fast, free Wi-Fi to its entire global fleet – connectivity at an unprecedented scale that remains unmatched in the industry. SkyMiles Members traveling to Morocco on Delta can look forward to reliable, streaming-quality connectivity from the time the boarding door closes to the moment the plane arrives at the gate, allowing them stay connected and entertained – just like they would at home, for free. Expansion to remaining international routes is well underway, with all additional routes to West Africa (Lagos, Dakar and Accra) expected to be available with fast, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi in the coming weeks - in addition to Marrakech when it begins service in October.

More Accra Service

With strong demand from U.S.-Africa travelers, Accra remains one of Delta’s most popular African destinations, especially during the holiday season.

To accommodate peak demand, Delta is launching seasonal daily nonstop service from Atlanta to Accra, complementing its daily year-round service from New York-JFK.

Following the debut of the Airbus A330-900neo on the JFK-ACC route last October, the same aircraft type will now also operate on the Atlanta route, offering an elevated onboard experience featuring Delta One Suites and next-generation comfort across all cabins.

“Africa is home to some of the world’s most dynamic cities, rich traditions, and growing economies, and Delta is making it easier than ever to reach them,” said Matteo Curcio, Senior Vice President of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India at Delta. “These new routes open doors for travelers seeking business opportunities, cultural exploration, and meaningful connections.”

Continued Investments in Atlanta

Atlanta is Delta’s largest hub, operating nearly 1,000 daily flights and connecting travelers to 215 destinations worldwide. With the addition of Marrakech, Delta offers 67 international destinations from Atlanta, reinforcing its position as a global gateway with other recent additions including Naples and Brussels.

Additionally, Delta has invested more than $12 billion into modernizing its hub network, including major enhancements at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

A new 24,000-square-foot Delta Sky Club — the largest in the airport — opening this spring on Concourse D, featuring panoramic views and amenities for every type of traveler

Upgrades to Delta Sky Clubs on Concourses A and C designed to elevate the guest experience

The expansion of Concourse D, adding more gate space and improving passenger flow.

Delta Digital ID enabling eligible travelers to move through security and bag drop seamlessly without showing a physical ID or boarding pass.

These investments continue to elevate the travel experience for customers flying through Atlanta, whether they’re heading to Marrakech’s colorful souks, Accra’s lively streets or anywhere else in the world.

*subject to government approval

Amex Just Opened Its Largest Centurion Lounge — With A Whiskey Bar, 4,000 Square Feet Of Patio Space, And Food From A James Beard Award Semifinalist

Amex's latest lounge is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — and we were one of the first to check it out.

The next chapter of American Express lounges is here.

The card issuer has opened the doors to its newest Centurion Lounge — the largest ever — at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. At nearly 26,000 square feet, it’s nearly double the size of the next biggest Centurion Lounge at New York's JFK.

More importantly, it's arguably the most visually stunning in the entire 28-lounge portfolio.

The latest opening, near gate E11 in Atlanta’s international concourse, symbolizes a new era for Amex. A little over a decade has passed since the first-ever Centurion Lounge opened in Las Vegas. Since then, consumer preferences have evolved, and with thousands of additional premium Amex cardholders, more travelers have access. The competition — from the likes of Chase and Capital One— has also been fiercer than ever.

“Lounges have always been a physical manifestation of card membership, but this space [in Atlanta] is our next generation of what that looks like,” Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, shared with Travel + Leisure while in the new lounge.

Indeed, the residential-inspired space — with soaring ceilings, lush greenery, and two outdoor terraces — feels like a significant evolution of Amex’s existing lounge design, one that has by and large remained the same for years. Instead of a cookie-cutter aesthetic replicated across the network, Amex continues to lean further into custom lounges that align with the cities they’re located in.

For the Atlanta location, the centerpiece is a 50-year-old olive tree and a dramatic, cascading custom light sculpture—a combination that greets guests as soon as they enter the canopy-like space. It’s a nod to Atlanta’s reputation as “the city in the forest” and its abundance of trees.

The star of the lounge, though, are the dual patios totaling 4,000 square feet. Each is complete with meticulously landscaped seating areas and heaters and fans for year-round use. On one terrace—in a space that spans nearly the entire length of the lounge — feature the action of the airfield and is an ideal spot for aviation aficionados. For more of an intimate and peaceful experience, however, travelers can take a momentary breather on the interior-facing (and zen-like) terrace.

“One of our main focuses in our lounges is on customer wellness, and here, we want to help bring the outside world in,” Hendley remarked.

Among other notable amenities, Amex will offer its first-ever whiskey bar, dubbed The Reserve by American Express. Besides a selection of classic and new American whiskeys, bartenders will serve a range of signature cocktails (and mocktails, including the Sir Charles Frosty Blue, a non-alcoholic concoction of grapefruit soda, Seedlip Spice 94, salt, and lime). The expansive buffet area features the cuisine of Chef Deborah VanTrece, a James Beard Award semifinalist and owner of three local Atlanta restaurants. Her customized global soul food menu includes specialties like black-eyed pea biryani, za'atar grilled chicken with green tomato chimichurri, and a “Twisted Soul Salad” with strawberry peppercorn vinaigrette.

In addition to the main buffet setup, Amex now offers several wellness stations throughout the lounge with gluten-free and vegan options, including protein bites, salads, smoothies, and immunity booster juice shots. One notable omission? A lack of grab-and-go options or a la carte ordering, as some other lounge competitors offer. Still, the food variety and quality are a noticeable step up from other Centurion Lounges.

Of course, the new Atlanta lounge includes numerous distinct seating areas including multiple communal desks, high-top tables, and comfortable loungers. Nearly all seats in the Centurion Lounge have access to power outlets, USB-C, and USB-A ports. For travelers looking to get some work done, there are four private phone booths and five built-in workstations, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Centurion Lounge in Atlanta is located in the E concourse by gate E11 and is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

American Express cardmembers with a Centurion or Platinum-branded card such as The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express have access to Centurion Lounges within three hours of flight departure. In addition, Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card members can access the lounge when flying on a Delta flight.

Only the primary cardholder (and authorized users) have complimentary access to the lounge. Cardholder guests are charged a fee of $50.

Source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/chris-dong-7254869