AA DFW-MCI in First Class: No Catering
Aug 30, 2013, 2:05 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors
Posts: 642
So I tend to default to what the OP describes. Regardless, I've had many similar experiences as I have related in the previous post. That's a fact jack.
Aug 30, 2013, 2:10 am
#32
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
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I find it a bit hard to believe, LTRS, that a flight leaving at 5:30pm does not have any meal service in F, especially one that is 4+ hours. It MUST have been a miscater or a mistake of some sort. All 4+ flights get dinner, it's systemwide. Something isn't making sense, or is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Aug 30, 2013, 2:17 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
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I find it a bit hard to believe, LTRS, that a flight leaving at 5:30pm does not have any meal service in F, especially one that is 4+ hours. It MUST have been a miscater or a mistake of some sort. All 4+ flights get dinner, it's systemwide. Something isn't making sense, or is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Definitely presented as "not his problem".
Aug 30, 2013, 2:38 am
#34
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
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Let's all stay on topic here. This thread will not devolve into "bash the airline", "bash the employees", "bash other FTers", or any other bashing.
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Aug 30, 2013, 7:51 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: MCI
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 316
As an AA EXP based in MCI, I am a regular on the MCI-DFW-MCI corridor, usually in F. I will say that I cannot think of a single time that I did not get at least a snack, as in the packet of peanuts and pretzels that OP mentioned. In that case, it does sound like a mistake that it was not "served". Perhaps OP was flying during a time of the day that I am not used to? But in my experience, I always end up with that tiny bag of mediocrity, to which I always wish the old mix would magically show back up.
BUT, I am aware that it's a drink-only service, and that is all I expect. They don't really hide that. And I have had a couple glasses of whisky between DFW and MCI after a long meeting or trip
BUT, I am aware that it's a drink-only service, and that is all I expect. They don't really hide that. And I have had a couple glasses of whisky between DFW and MCI after a long meeting or trip
Aug 30, 2013, 9:47 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southern California/Los Angeles
Programs: Various
Posts: 2,778
The answer is:
Yes there is catering, otherwise you wouldn't have had drinks and snack mix.
This flight has a block time of 1 hr 35 mins, which means it's coded as "R" or Refreshments. Regardless of what time of day (even at 12 noon) you will get the same catering= Liq/Bev + Gourmet Snack Mix. Well, one minor correction, if your flight takes off between 4:00 am and 9:00 am, the snack mix is switched for a Biscoff Cookie and Champagne/Sparkling wine is offered in addition to other liquor. The magic number is 2 hrs or more in block time, and catering will be enhanced from 4:00am until 8:00pm with a meal or substantial snack.
Yes there is catering, otherwise you wouldn't have had drinks and snack mix.
This flight has a block time of 1 hr 35 mins, which means it's coded as "R" or Refreshments. Regardless of what time of day (even at 12 noon) you will get the same catering= Liq/Bev + Gourmet Snack Mix. Well, one minor correction, if your flight takes off between 4:00 am and 9:00 am, the snack mix is switched for a Biscoff Cookie and Champagne/Sparkling wine is offered in addition to other liquor. The magic number is 2 hrs or more in block time, and catering will be enhanced from 4:00am until 8:00pm with a meal or substantial snack.
Aug 30, 2013, 10:03 am
#37
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Posts: 13,913
The answer is:
Yes there is catering, otherwise you wouldn't have had drinks and snack mix.
This flight has a block time of 1 hr 35 mins, which means it's coded as "R" or Refreshments. Regardless of what time of day (even at 12 noon) you will get the same catering= Liq/Bev + Gourmet Snack Mix. Well, one minor correction, if your flight takes off between 4:00 am and 9:00 am, the snack mix is switched for a Biscoff Cookie and Champagne/Sparkling wine is offered in addition to other liquor. The magic number is 2 hrs or more in block time, and catering will be enhanced from 4:00am until 8:00pm with a meal or substantial snack.
Yes there is catering, otherwise you wouldn't have had drinks and snack mix.
This flight has a block time of 1 hr 35 mins, which means it's coded as "R" or Refreshments. Regardless of what time of day (even at 12 noon) you will get the same catering= Liq/Bev + Gourmet Snack Mix. Well, one minor correction, if your flight takes off between 4:00 am and 9:00 am, the snack mix is switched for a Biscoff Cookie and Champagne/Sparkling wine is offered in addition to other liquor. The magic number is 2 hrs or more in block time, and catering will be enhanced from 4:00am until 8:00pm with a meal or substantial snack.
Aug 30, 2013, 10:12 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
I'm trying to figure out if AA is even worth the hassle. I signed up for their FF program and booked a first-class r/t fare from DFW to MCI (for a wedding) this past weekend. Knowing full well that AA's MD-80's or "super" 80's aren't exactly new, I felt that the price was fair. Having experienced first-class on UA (whom I usually fly with) and DL, I figured that AA would be similar. How wrong I was.
Besides a few drinks of your choice and priority boarding (and a comfy-ish seat), I figured there would be some snacks. At least. On the flight to MCI, we were given a tiny bag of mixed dry snacks (pretzels, nuts, etc - not trail mix) and on the return flight, nothing. I asked the FA if there were any snacks and she replied with an apologetic no, but then asked me, "are there supposed to be some?"
I sent an email to AA and they gave me a form response of how there's not supposed to be snacks and the one time it happened was erroneous. So much for customer service. I guess my first impression of AA is mixed.
Has anyone else had similar, unimpressive experiences? DL at least has/had a basket of fruits, candy, etc. And I was told that AA used to even serve meals on this very same route (perhaps a few years ago).
Besides a few drinks of your choice and priority boarding (and a comfy-ish seat), I figured there would be some snacks. At least. On the flight to MCI, we were given a tiny bag of mixed dry snacks (pretzels, nuts, etc - not trail mix) and on the return flight, nothing. I asked the FA if there were any snacks and she replied with an apologetic no, but then asked me, "are there supposed to be some?"
I sent an email to AA and they gave me a form response of how there's not supposed to be snacks and the one time it happened was erroneous. So much for customer service. I guess my first impression of AA is mixed.
Has anyone else had similar, unimpressive experiences? DL at least has/had a basket of fruits, candy, etc. And I was told that AA used to even serve meals on this very same route (perhaps a few years ago).
Aug 30, 2013, 10:41 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: AA PLT Pro (2MM), HH DIA, IHG PLT
Posts: 496
I fly DFW to ATL weekly. The flight is 1:45 in flying time. I have received snack (wraps/chicken salads) or dinner on all flights depending on the time of day. I am in F heading to DFW as I write this. The FA just finished clearing all the trays from F pax. From wheels up to now it has been 1:30. I can see why it can't be done on shorter flights.
Aug 30, 2013, 10:51 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,951
I fly DFW to ATL weekly. The flight is 1:45 in flying time. I have received snack (wraps/chicken salads) or dinner on all flights depending on the time of day. I am in F heading to DFW as I write this. The FA just finished clearing all the trays from F pax. From wheels up to now it has been 1:30. I can see why it can't be done on shorter flights.
It's just that AA doesn't feel the cost benefit would fall the right away. Aka, it's not worth it.
Aug 30, 2013, 11:12 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: MCI
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 316
I fly DFW to ATL weekly. The flight is 1:45 in flying time. I have received snack (wraps/chicken salads) or dinner on all flights depending on the time of day. I am in F heading to DFW as I write this. The FA just finished clearing all the trays from F pax. From wheels up to now it has been 1:30. I can see why it can't be done on shorter flights.
So, in both cases, it's scheduled at over 2 hours, resulting in the meal.
Aug 30, 2013, 11:13 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
Aug 30, 2013, 11:18 am
#43
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Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
It consisted of a salmon starter, shepherd’s pie, hot bread roll, and tiramisu for dessert. The blogger reported it as being "truly one of the tastiest meals I’ve had in the sky". Source: http://boardingarea.com/onemileatati...els-to-vienna/. The seat, however, was anything but.
Incidentally, on all airlines except in most U.S. ones flight attendants start working as soon as it's safe to do so, i.e. after having climbed for 4-5 minutes absent risk of turbulence. And they work the cabin all the way down to shortly before landing (again, when safe to do so). AFIK only U.S. FAs take a rest period of >45 minute on each flight. And in Europe they often have an extra person staffing business class, depending on how big it is.
Last edited by hillrider; Aug 30, 2013 at 11:27 am
Aug 30, 2013, 5:19 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 652
Have been flying MCI-DFW and DAL for many years. In the 70's when BN had the route and Texas International for a short time. They both served a meal. BN's economy meal was typically a basket containing a sandwich, potato salad, cookies and comp bottle of wine for adults and normal beverage service. They had a similar breakfast type basket also. Flew TX International a few times and they did the basket thing too. BN's F pax got a full meal on a tray and beverages on the trip. Memories.
Aug 30, 2013, 7:22 pm
#45
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I actually agree with the OP. I flew ORD-RDU (647 miles) in First earlier this summer and received...one Biscoff. I made a thread about it myself:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ck-basket.html
I don't think there's anything wrong with expecting something to snack on in F especially when every other airline provides more and those airlines include free upgrades to all elite levels.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ck-basket.html
I don't think there's anything wrong with expecting something to snack on in F especially when every other airline provides more and those airlines include free upgrades to all elite levels.