Originally Posted by
Science Goy
As you've learned, meal orders are generally taken from back to front on westbound flights (and the opposite for eastbound flights). If you're last to order, naturally some options may be unavailable. In the future, I'd suggest pre-ordering your meal on AA.com (between 30 days and 24 hours before departure), or sitting in the part of the cabin that
orders first.
Of course "some options" may not be available. I think it's reasonable for 1 choice to be sold out, but for 3 of 4 to be sold out suggests a catering program for international J that is wildly uncompetitive.