Originally Posted by Loose Cannon

AA had LAX-IAD nonstop for a long time. I flew that route the first time in the summer of 1976. AA76 was a DC-10 and I was in first class and experienced great service. On the return we flew AA77 and we were stuck in coach on a Boeing 707. However there was a complimentary meal in coach with a choice of three entrees. That is in contrast to the buy on board that is typically available in coach now. I next flew AA76 circa February 1979 and I distinctly remember the estimated flying time was announced at 3 hours 51 minutes which seems like a quick flight. Perhaps there was a strong tailwind. I was in seat 1A on the DC-10 and the meal service lasted much of the flight. On the return we were in first class on AA77 a Boeing 707. In 1980 I once again flew AA76 a DC-10 and returned on AA75 also a DC-10. I was in seat 1A both flights. On the 28th of July 2018 I took AA1339 from IAD to LAX. I used miles to get a first class ticket. That flight was operated by a Boeing 737-800 which was a downgrade from the DC-10 and 707 that I previously experienced. The B-737-800 was configured for more passengers than the B-707 was back in the 1970's. I believe that the meal service was inferior to the service that I experienced in first class during 1979 and 1980 when on that same route. The meal resembled coach meals of decades ago except a choice of breads was offered and after the main meal a hot fudge sundae was available though smaller than I remembered.