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2017 Combined AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

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Old Dec 31, 2016, 10:45 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: JY1024
AA/US Domestic Dining (including Canada, Mexico, & the Caribbean)

Note: this thread is about meals served on AA-US. There is another thread for the contingent that wishes to debate and discuss linens as a primary subject, including related presentation issues: Linens / presentation debate for meal service on AA, US / both.

PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST. /Moderators


Welcome to the 2017 Domestic Dining thread and the resulting discussion/trip reports/photos/shared experiences. Here, in this wiki post, I'll strive to explain what you should expect on AA flights in First and Business, meals-wise. Keep in mind that there are many domestic flights, so there are quite a few parameters to keep track of.

Basically, in its best condensed form, you should expect to receive a meal between 4:59am - 8pm on flights longer than 900 miles, which equals about two hours in the air. From that point, there are exceptions, and specific timing parameters.

What to Expect - Mainline:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.

  • Up to 699 miles: Light snacks such as a fig bar, cookies, and/or pretzels
  • 700-899 miles: Warmed nuts, a snack plate (fruit/cheese, pita/hummus, or spinach dip/pita), and a cookie
  • 900-1298 miles: A meal (fruit/breakfast entree; salad/entree) followed by a cookie; no meals between 1:30-4pm
  • 1298-2199 miles: A full meal including an appetizer, with cake for lunch desserts and premade ice-cream for dinner desserts
  • 2200 miles and above: Same as 1298-2199 miles, but consists of made-to-order sundaes or a cheese plate for both lunch and dinner desserts

What to Expect - Regional:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.

  • Up to 175 miles: A light snack mix along with beverage service
  • 176-899 miles: Sweet and savory, organic/healthy snack choices (snack basket)
  • 900-2199 miles: Warm mixed nuts, two meal options, and dessert. (For flights over 2200 miles, you will receive the same selection of snacks from 176-899 miles as a pre-arrival snack. All regional meal flights leaving after 8:00pm will also receive sweet and savory snacks as the only option. Editor's note: A regional jet for 2000+ miles? Hope that never happens!)

All of the meal flights that fall under the above timing parameters will receive two choices; normally, one meat and one vegetarian.

Longer westbound flights leaving from the east coast (transcontinental; non-premium) are not officially exceptions, but some flights after 8pm receive a full dinner service (such as the 8:05pm MIA-SAN flight, or the 8:30pm PHL-LAS flight). Additionally, non-premium transcontinental red-eye flights will receive snack basket service upon departure, then a continental breakfast box prior to arrival.

Official Exceptions:
The following flights all fall under 900 miles, but will receive a full meal service, with the exception of flights leaving between 1:31-4pm. Despite some of the listed flights being over 900 miles, they are remaining listed here, based on the AA website for documentation purposes.

  • Chicago (ORD) - AUS/BDL/BOS/DCA/EWR/JFK/LGA/MSY/RDU
  • Dallas (DFW) - BJX/ORD/MEX/QRO/SLP
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - PAP
  • Los Angeles (LAX) - DEN
  • Miami (MIA) - DCA/IAD/PAP
  • New York (LGA) - ATL
  • Phoenix (PHX) - MZT

Additional Information:
  • JFK-LAX/SFO; MIA-LAX are considered premium transcontinental flights, and as such, receives a more refined service with three meal choices, per-course service, printed menus, and tray/tablecloth linens in both F/J. Those flights now are the only domestic flights in the system to offer special meals as another option (which can be reserved by either preordering online, or calling). Red-eye flights will receive a full "supper/snack" meal service, which is basically a condensed dinner service.

  • Hawaiian meal service is very similar to what you'd expect on 2200+ mile flights, but there also will be Hawaiian rolls served, along with a pre-arrival continental breakfast/snack (dependent on the length of the route). Tropical warmed nuts are also currently served.

  • All flights over 700 miles, regardless of a meal being served or not, will receive warm mixed nuts and a cookie.

Disclaimer: The editor of this Wiki does not guarantee the information presented above will always be accurate or properly followed by AA, given catering mishaps, irregular operations, rogue crews, or mismanagement. For the best up-to-date information, it would be prudent to check AA's website constantly for any updates, or call AA. The editors of this Wiki will keep this Wiki updated as often as possible.
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2017 Combined AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

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Old Aug 11, 2017, 5:29 am
  #841  
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Originally Posted by cmd320
For non-premium transcon flights, AA now has the weakest offering without a doubt. United is the strongest with DL somewhere in between. Completely unacceptable on the nuts though. These should be provided along with a first-round beverage prior to the full meal service. Sounds like you were served by a poorly trained cabin crew.
Each board complains about the airline and the food, not too sure if one airline is really better over another.
JonNYC and PUCCI GALORE like this.
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Old Aug 11, 2017, 5:41 am
  #842  
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Originally Posted by FlightNurse
Each board complains about the airline and the food, not too sure if one airline is really better over another.
Well, yes speaking to US airlines, none of them have really figured out how to do meals properly. But that doesn't mean some can't be relatively better than others depending on the flight.
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Old Aug 11, 2017, 11:07 am
  #843  
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Originally Posted by cmd320
Well, yes speaking to US airlines, none of them have really figured out how to do meals properly. But that doesn't mean some can't be relatively better than others depending on the flight.
I agree, however, go over to the Delta, Alaska or United forum and read what people are saying, it's really not that much better than what AA is serving.
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Old Aug 11, 2017, 11:49 am
  #844  
 
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Originally Posted by CMK10
AA 1539 RDU-ORD 0739-0859 MD-80

No PDB





Pre-orders were not acknowledged. Choice of the omelet or oatmeal. The omelet was decent enough, though it's really similar to one UA has. Potatoes were meh and so were the sausage. Still better than the strata was.

This is generally the breakfast I choose! It sounds and looks better than the "steel cut" oatmeal. It's a little heavy, but a nice breakfast and wakes you up!
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Old Aug 11, 2017, 11:52 am
  #845  
 
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Originally Posted by MrAndy1369
Looks delicious! And it's worth noting that a made-to-order sundae on a JFK-LAS flight is actually an improvement over pmAA, because on pmAA, the "sludges" were served on those longer midcon routes - yes, including JFK-LAS, which did not get the pmAA transcon treatment with printed menus, etc. Didn't realize JFK-LAS was eligible for the MTO sundaes, but then again it's a bit over 2200 miles.

Color me impressed. Don't want to jinx anything, but AA meals lately really seem on the up and up. ^

I have to agree with you on this! The food is definitely improving. I got offered Lobster Mac & Cheese on a recent flight. And the MTO sundaes are a great treat to top off the meal, especially at night. Nice to relax. Let's hope they keep improving!!
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Old Aug 11, 2017, 11:58 pm
  #846  
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Originally Posted by bdhaliwa
New redeye menu. Choose the Thai Beef Curry which was a good neighborhood Thai restaurant quality level.
Thanks for the report. ^

I've generally liked the curry dishes that AA has offered. Sometimes the rice is too pebbly (especially around the edges of the dish), but the flavor at least makes up for it slightly.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 8:40 am
  #847  
 
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Originally Posted by bdhaliwa
New redeye menu. Choose the Thai Beef Curry which was a good neighborhood Thai restaurant quality level.
When did they start redeye meals in first class? Or is it only for the transcon SFO / LAX - JFK? I generally just get some warm nuts and a cookie. hahaha
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 8:49 am
  #848  
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Originally Posted by mike.macrone
When did they start redeye meals in first class? Or is it only for the transcon SFO / LAX - JFK? I generally just get some warm nuts and a cookie. hahaha
Only JFK-LAX/SFO.
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Old Aug 12, 2017, 9:55 am
  #849  
 
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Originally Posted by SFO777
Only JFK-LAX/SFO.
Oh okay, that's what I was thinking. I do love those transcon routes in first!
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Old Aug 13, 2017, 4:54 pm
  #850  
 
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I have been wanting to try the chorizo eggs biscuits but seldom take breakfast flights and the ones I've had before didn't have it as an option before today...it was pretty darn good! Easily better than the omelettes or other egg dishes in the past. I do probably need to visit a cardiologist but worth it!
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Old Aug 13, 2017, 6:15 pm
  #851  
 
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Originally Posted by ryan182
I have been wanting to try the chorizo eggs biscuits but seldom take breakfast flights and the ones I've had before didn't have it as an option before today...it was pretty darn good! Easily better than the omelettes or other egg dishes in the past. I do probably need to visit a cardiologist but worth it!
Definitely agree! The chorizo breakfast is quite good. As you mentioned, better than the previous items they have had.
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Old Aug 13, 2017, 6:51 pm
  #852  
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Originally Posted by cmd320
That's pretty much what it boils down to.
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Old Aug 14, 2017, 12:44 pm
  #853  
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Flying phx-iah Wednesday on a CR9. I know this flight gets full lunch on mainline but no lunch options are given on the reservation. I know they don't have ovens but it would be nice to offer two cold options at least.

Perhaps I'm not even getting that. I hope I don't get that disgusting orange "veggie dip" option like I got on my DFW bound flights.

oh bother....
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Old Aug 14, 2017, 1:49 pm
  #854  
 
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Originally Posted by mike.macrone
When did they start redeye meals in first class? Or is it only for the transcon SFO / LAX - JFK? I generally just get some warm nuts and a cookie. hahaha
And LAX-MIA, too, AFAIK.
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Old Aug 14, 2017, 5:09 pm
  #855  
 
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Originally Posted by MrAndy1369
And LAX-MIA, too, AFAIK.
Oh really? I actually am planning that trip pretty soon. So definitely booking first!
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