JFK-LAX
2/19
A321 Transcontinental
3-Class F

I had the honor of flying F today, JFK-LAX. The F meal was... interesting. I'll sum it up—the warmed nuts were good; appetizer/salad not too good; the golden chicken very good but potatoes okay, and sundae decadent as always. Service wasn't too bad; it was pretty thorough at the beginning, but kind of tapered off after the meal service.



Printed menu.

Warmed nuts and drinks (notice the missing olive mini-app that should be in F?).

Appetizer (goat cheese croquettes) and strawberry salad.

Golden chicken and late soup side.

So good!

My observations/thoughts:

• No PDB was observed.
• What happened to the olive starter that typically is shown in 3-class F, which accompanies the warmed nuts? Not sure if it was a miscater or being discontinued; didn't get a chance to ask.
• AA really needs to go back to more 'traditional' appetizers and salads. A simple Caesar salad, maybe shrimp for the appetizers? Whatever happened to the made-to-order salad carts that used to be in 3-class F? I feel their salad/appetizers are too "fancy" and end up not tasting good.
• When my entree came, I asked where the soup was, and the FA apologetically brought it out to me. She said she didn't know I wanted soup. I thought it would be automatic as it wasn't listed on the menu as "salad or soup". I've seen other posters upthread having the same issue. Perhaps AA is instructing all FA's to not advertise the soup or provide it unless one asks. A bit silly, given it's listed explicitly on the menu.
• Fortunately, I was pretty full after dining at both the Chelsea and Soho lounges beforehand, but to be honest, if I were starving, I'd be disappointed. I picked at the salad/appetizer, and only finished the soup and chicken in full, but knowing my taste palates, I'd not be very satisfied.
• The sequence felt more like presenting as a Business class meal. Shouldn't they separate everything out in proper courses, especially in 3-class F? Reminded me a bit of Delta's old BusinessElite meals. Not the BEST, but sufficient. Just kind of bland and lacking in "excitement", if that makes sense.
• Crew wasn't bad. Initially very friendly and helpful during the service (the main FA even squatted on the ground to talk with customers individually, which was a nice touch) but after the meal service, they kind of disappeared. Kind of bland. They did pass out cookies after initially saying turbulence was too rough pre-landing. Cookies were okay. Nothing special, a bit tasteless. We didn't get any other "premium snacks", as otherwise indicated on the menu.
• Overall, I'd rate this... B-. The soup was really good, chicken delicious, and sundae perfect, but a weak appetizer/salad and cookie showing.

That's my meal report. I'll update this when I do a complete trip report and provide a link. Overall, it's good, but honestly, not really worth the F upcharge, and AA honestly in general just kind of feels like a bland airline. I was immensely impressed with the Chelsea and Soho lounges, though—probably more with the Soho lounge.

Cheers!

EDIT: My supplemental report on the check-in/security experience at JFK, as well as Chelsea and Soho lounges, can be found here.