Hi,

I was rummaging through my airline memorabilia stuff tonight (mostly from flea-markets), and I came across an AA brochure circa 1962 entitled Welcome Aboard American Airlines, Route Of The Astrojets. It's not a menu, but a rather lengthy brochure describing AA's fleet and services at the time in detail. The following is from a section entitled "May We Be Of Service". I just love the verbage of these older travel brochures, and this passage is a prime example IMHO of mixing the breathless wounder of jet-travel with the comfort factor of a fresh meal served by a friendly stewardess. I thought it a nice compliment to all the wonderful menus that have been posted. Again, remember this is from 1962, so forgive the mildly sexist verbage...

Serving The Inner Man

American's stewardesses serve thousands of meals aloft every day. Yet the pride of the American Airlines kitchens is not in the quantity but in the quality and the meticulous attention to every ingredient, and to every step of preparation. Result--real excitement in food!. The meal starts in the market place, where specialist-buyers shop, choosing only the freshest of the vegetable crop, the finest cuts of meat. Then their selections are sped to American's flight kitchens.

Here, the most modern grill sizzles a filet mignon to just-right doneness in seconds. There, and old-fashions stock pot simmers slowly, mingling the flavor and aroma of celery, carrots, beef bones, onion. Delicious desserts, crisp greens--the highest culinary craft pampers each item.

When the meal is complete--down to the last bit of garnish on the plate--it is placed in special thermal-sealed containers, designed to keep hot foods piping, chilled foods icy--the rushed aboard.

Today's traveler has a sophisticated appetite and meals are planned to please his eye as well as his palate. The American passenger can delight daily in such specialties as Chicken Kiev, English Grill, Crepes Crab Bengal. He will be served a variety of over 75 menus in the course of his travels-- each prepared under the exclusive supervision of American's own food experts.

Drinks Before You eat?

American Airlines serves cocktails before meals on certain flights. In keeping with standard practices, as approved by the Civil Aeronautics Board, we must limit this service to two drinks to a passenger.

Finally, I thought I would throw in this bit that I found funny in this modern age of use it or loose it, non-refundable tickets.

Nobody Likes a "No-Show"

Please--whatever you do--don't be a "No-show". This is a traveler who finds himself unable to use a reservation--but fails to cancel it. This penelizes others, who may urgently need a seat. The earlier you notify us of your change in plans, the better we will be able to accommodate "waiting list" requests.