Pre-ordering guarantees nothing about the quality. A "pre-ordered" beef is just as likely to be over cooked as one you order on the plane. In general, I avoid beef on a plane because it is likely to be overcooked, unless it's something like the short ribs, which tend be fattier and moister to begin with. I have always had good luck with the fish on AA international flights, and the Asian Vegetarian, which you can only get via pre-order.