Originally Posted by
CHOPCHOP767
Regarding the meal service for AA 1021 (ORD to BOS), which was about two hours delayed last night, FA did a modified "Refreshments" service with drinks and warmed nuts followed by a warmed cookie (chocolate or snickerdoodle). The flight didn't end up leaving ORD until about 22:30, so perfectly understandable.
I mention this only because the WIKI has ORD to BOS as an exception market for meal service, but AA 1021 (20:21 departure) and the later flight departing at 22:05 are both now "Refreshments" flights.
Exception markets refer to offering meals at standard times (ie before 8pm) for flights below the typical distance threshold for meals; not that a meal is always offered regardless of times. The only time meals are offered after 8pm are departures exceeding 2,200 miles or the premium transcons - ie CLT-SFO or MIA-SFO flights at 8:30p and 9:50p, respectively, offer dinner. But CLT-LAX post 8pm departure only offers refreshments as do any other flight departing after 8pm that isn't a premium transcon or isn't at least 2,220 miles in covered distance.