Jun 10, 2014, 8:14 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Meals changes US & AA announced - international and domestic
[Discussion]This thread discusses changes to the combined carrier's meal policy. On Friday, 14 Nov 2014, the following e-mail was sent to AAdvantage frequent flyers:
this after an apparent record of the percentage of complaints received in response to earlier announcements (80% of complaints were about the meal cutbacks),
On Monday, August 4th, 2014, American and US Airways both announced their plans for the final aligned meal service effective September 1st, 2014 for both carriers. This Wiki will touch upon in detail the new meal windows, parameters, and what to expect moving forward.
MEAL WINDOWS:
Up to 699 miles (under 2 hours):
Enjoy a light snack such as a fig bar, cookies or pretzels.
700-999 miles (2 – 2:45 hours)
A heartier selection of snacks such as sandwiches and fresh fruit is served on most flights (Lite Bites), with exceptions (see below).
1,000 – 1,298 miles (2:45 – 3:30 hours)*
Enjoy warmed mixed nuts, followed by a three-course meal including a warm cookie for dessert.
1,299+ miles (over 3:30 hours)*
Enjoy an appetizer paired with your entrée followed by cake for dessert. On flights over 2,200 miles and over 4:30 hours, you'll also receive a choice of dessert – specialty ice cream or a fruit and cheese plate. Redeye flights in the category of 2,200 miles and above will have a snack basket to begin, then will receive an arrival continental breakfast box. (This does not apply to A321 transcons, listed below.)
*There is no meal service on flights that depart after 8:00pm, only beverages and a snack basket. There is also no meal service on flights that depart before 5:00am.
CERTAIN MARKETS:
A321 Transcontinental Service (JFK-LAX/SFO):
- Refreshing fruit or cucumber-infused water or sparkling wine
- Warm mixed nuts followed by a three-course meal, with a choice of our signature customized sundae or seasonal fruit and cheese
- A snack served shortly before arrival
Note: This focuses specifically on A321 transcontinental service (JFK-LAX/SFO), although some members has clarified that LAX-MIA will continue to receive the same level of service. This still remains to be seen.
Hawaiian Flights:
Between Hawaii and DFW/ORD:
- Full meal with Hawaiian rolls plus two other bread options
- Choice of a customized sundae or a fruit and cheese plate
- Bottle of water
- Selection of snacks prior to arrival
Between Hawaii and LAX/PHX:
- Full meal with Hawaiian rolls plus two other bread options
- Pre-made sundae
- Selection of snacks prior to arrival
EXCEPTION MARKETS:
Exception flights will fall between approximately 600-999 miles. Those flights will receive the same level of service as the published 1000-1299 miles parameters.
- Between DFW and: DTW, ORD, SLC, MEX (Effective 16-Oct-2014)
- Between FLL and: PAP
- Between JFK and: FLL*, MCO, TPA*
- Between MIA and: IAH, PAP, CAP, DCA (Effective 16-Oct-2014), IAD (Effective 16-Oct-2014)
- Between MSP and: CLT, PHL
- Between ORD and: BOS, DCA, DEN, JFK, LGA, RDU, AUS (Effective 16-Oct-2014)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
It was reported from an internal source (but not formally announced) that American Eagle would be discontinuing plated meals and, instead, will offer snack boxes and/or chilled meal boxes on meal flights.
Based on the picture on the websites representing meal service, it is confirmed that American will use US Airways plates, bowls, and other servingware moving forward. Additionally, it has been speculated that tray linens will also be eliminated in lieu of the current US Airways paper tray liner. An AA Twitter representative, however, confirmed that buttonhole napkins would be here to stay.
Additionally on October 1st, American Eagle and US Airways Express flights will follow these same meal time frames with some variations to the service. Flights between approximately 176 and 999 miles will receive snack baskets, and meal flights will feature a chilled gourmet boxed meal. Some popular regional flights between approximately 700 and 999 miles will also receive a chilled gourmet boxed meal.
All information above has been gathered and/or copied from the AA website.
Links:
AA Meal Service
US Meal Service
HISTORICAL INFORMATION:
This section is purely vestigial, primarily concentrating on historical announcements prior to August 4th, showing a path from separate carrier policies to a combined policy.
On February 15, 2014, there was an internal announcement shared here, outlining changes to US Airways' meal policy, as well as a few minor changes on the AA side. The changes would occur in two phases: April and September.
April:
US Airways
The meal windows on US Airways has transitioned from the previous 3 1/2 hours and above window as of April 1st; now, they are serving meals on flights that are 2 hours and 45 minutes, and above (specified as 1,000 nautical miles in the announcement). Light snacks on flights under 2:45 hours has been added, featuring breakfast pastries and fresh fruit for morning flights, as well as finger sandwiches on later flights (known as Lite Bites). New meal window tiers has been added to standardize US Airways meal service:
- Less than an hour: Nut mix
- 1 - 2 hours: Snack basket
- 2 - 2:45 hours: Snack basket plus pastries/finger sandwiches (Lite Bites)
- 2:45 hours - 3 1/2 hours: Meal service, no appetizer
- 3 1/2 hours - 4 1/2 hours: Full meal, including an appetizer
- 4 1/2 hours and above: Full meal service, accompanied by the snack basket
American
An expedited service for shorter, eastbound transatlantic flights (JFK-LHR/MAN/DUB) became the only choice in premium cabins. It was also announced that all eastbound transatlantic flights would receive a more streamlined service, but no visible differences has yet to be reported by FT members.
Over the course of this year (but all mentioned changes will discontinue on September 1st, with the exception of A321 transcons receiving three choices, as well as snack & brunch service for redeyes) a few notable improvements were made to transcontinental meal service, such as sorbets being offered as a breakfast/brunch dessert, supper service (an abbreviated dinner service without an appetizer and sundaes) that replaced snack service on redeyes, and three menu choices of entrees being offered instead of the previous two menu choices.
There were also a few cutbacks in the spring: on Flagship Transcontinental service (JFK-LAX/SFO; MIA-LAX), wherein marinated anti-pasto was discontinued in 3-class First Class lunch/dinner service; and in International First Class, where the wine-tasting course, grey placemats, and grey water glasses were eliminated in May.
Historical Weekly Updates (shared from an internal source):
6/14
- Emphasis on being a leader, not a follower, according to Doug Parker.
- Catering and cabin equipment review in progress.
- FA involvement team to be created.
- US/IB codeshare has started these past few days.
- Three cycles of the revision for the joint certificate have been approved by the FAA. FAs now have inflight manual revisions.
- MIA and JFK catering issues are still being addressed.
- Visual presentation of the beef in the sandwich on the second meal service from Europe to the United States is being reviewed by F&B and catering in Europe.
6/21
- Leadership conference focused on restoring AA to greatness.
Reply to negative feedback via website form: (3.5 hr flight RNO-ORD)
Thank you for contacting American. We know that meal options are important to our customers, and we appreciate the opportunity to address your comments about the changes we have made to our First Class meal program.
There are no plans to discontinue the signature services that have set American Airlines apart over the years. In fact, we are investing millions in our product. This includes the existing premium transcontinental service on select markets, and the offering of certain elements that customers have come to appreciate over time such as warm mixed nuts on all meal flights, cookies and premium desserts on longer flights.
Our new Domestic First Class service footprint provides opportunities to not only streamline service but also to enhance the quality of current food components: new salads and entrees. Product offerings are be aligned with the length of flight. For example, appetizers have been added on certain flights, and a new snack basket concept has been introduced on shorter flights. New meal tray elements to modernize presentation have been introduced, including new china and a stemless wine glass.
A component of these changes is to make consistent between American and US Airways the length of flight where a full meal service is offered. Effective September 1, traditional meal service is offered in First Class on flights operated by American that are 2:45 or longer. While this has removed the traditional meal service from some markets served by American, the changes implemented at US Airways earlier this year added meals to many US Airways markets that traditionally have not offered a full meal service.
On flights from 2 hours to 2:45 in length we offer our customers a "Lite Bites" basket with a variety of food options including tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, breakfast breads and sweet and savory snacks. We will, of course, continue to offer complimentary beverages and snacks for our First Class customers on all of our flights, including beer, spirits and our award-winning wine selection.
Meals changes US & AA announced - international and domestic [Discussion]
Aug 6, 2014, 2:56 pm
#1051
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Dallas, Texas; AA EXP; AA 2 MM
Posts: 726
So American is basically dumbing itself down into US Airways. They can use all the words they want: "aligning", "enhancements" etc. The bottom line is that American is now US Air.
I've been a longtime AA traveler (used to post on here many years ago, but not so much recently) and had been pleasantly surprised over the past year and a half on AA's efforts to improve it's premium service. I also fly US Air a great deal, and their F product is plastic cups, really crappy packaged food, and a basically "No Frills Premium Class" product with a bigger seat and not much else. I figured at some point AA would be dragged down to this level and it sounds like that day is coming September 1.
Now that I'm at a point where I pay for most of the premium travel I take, it might be time to start avoiding AA like I've tried to avoid US Air when possible. It ain't easy out of Dallas, but Virgin America is opening shop out of Dallas and they definitely know what customers want in a Premium flight experience.
RIP AA, hello US Airways Plus.
I've been a longtime AA traveler (used to post on here many years ago, but not so much recently) and had been pleasantly surprised over the past year and a half on AA's efforts to improve it's premium service. I also fly US Air a great deal, and their F product is plastic cups, really crappy packaged food, and a basically "No Frills Premium Class" product with a bigger seat and not much else. I figured at some point AA would be dragged down to this level and it sounds like that day is coming September 1.
Now that I'm at a point where I pay for most of the premium travel I take, it might be time to start avoiding AA like I've tried to avoid US Air when possible. It ain't easy out of Dallas, but Virgin America is opening shop out of Dallas and they definitely know what customers want in a Premium flight experience.
RIP AA, hello US Airways Plus.
Aug 6, 2014, 3:17 pm
#1052
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA former 1K (1.9MM and gone), Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,111
Wait -- UA napkins have a button hole? I never noticed this, nor have I ever noticed any of my fellow F-mates availing themselves of the button hole! Good thing AA changed their meal requirements, or this fascinating and helpful tidbit of information would have continued to go unnoticed by me. 
Aug 6, 2014, 6:08 pm
#1053
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
I hear ya but since business class conjures up images on premium flying in the international arena, I am not sure changing the name of the US domestic F cabin to business is all that honest at this point either.
Aug 6, 2014, 8:12 pm
#1054
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southern California/Los Angeles
Programs: Various
Posts: 2,778
Any other name suggestions?
First ExtrAA
AAdvantage First
Premium First
Aug 6, 2014, 9:15 pm
#1055
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
In fact if you look at non-US carriers' short haul products like BA and LH intra Europe you would be even more disappointed. It's hard to find a product within Europe that doesn't consist of an economy seat with the middle seat blocked and a prepackaged salad.
The reason long haul products can charge more is that fliers see the value for red eye flights or flights over 5-7 hours. The only reason those short haul business products even exist in their token form is so these carriers can sell connecting flights for long haul fliers. Nobody thinks that $5 salad is worth spending hundreds on.
The reason long haul products can charge more is that fliers see the value for red eye flights or flights over 5-7 hours. The only reason those short haul business products even exist in their token form is so these carriers can sell connecting flights for long haul fliers. Nobody thinks that $5 salad is worth spending hundreds on.
Aug 7, 2014, 9:11 am
#1056
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Hilton Dia, Marriott Gold, Hertz Pres Cir, National Exec Elite
Posts: 116
Aug 7, 2014, 9:33 am
#1057
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Hilton Dia, Marriott Gold, Hertz Pres Cir, National Exec Elite
Posts: 116
Yes, getting people to pay more for what you offer is another way to make more profit...but that isn't what normally happens and isn't what is currently happening with US carriers, in case you hadn't noticed. With less competition between US carries (since there now are fewer carriers after all the aforementioned mergers), the US carriers can take the easier road of watering down some products and consumers have no choice but to accept that...since there are no other choices.
It can be profitable to improve your services, but that improvement costs money...and there is no guarantee that the consumers in the market will flock to your business because of that improved service. That is likely why AA isn't dramatically improving its services--it's analysis likely is the same as that of DL and UA that the cost won't be outweighed by increased business.
The carriers that offer the best services and amenities in the world are those that are STATE-SUPPORTED like Thai, Singapore, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, and Turkish. Lufthansa and Cathay are the likely best that don't receive state support, but they also are unusual with a single or two hub airports (and no other infrastructural requirements) that permit them to invest far more in international premium services than their American counterparts with 5-6 hubs and the largest domestic market other than China.
It can be profitable to improve your services, but that improvement costs money...and there is no guarantee that the consumers in the market will flock to your business because of that improved service. That is likely why AA isn't dramatically improving its services--it's analysis likely is the same as that of DL and UA that the cost won't be outweighed by increased business.
The carriers that offer the best services and amenities in the world are those that are STATE-SUPPORTED like Thai, Singapore, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, and Turkish. Lufthansa and Cathay are the likely best that don't receive state support, but they also are unusual with a single or two hub airports (and no other infrastructural requirements) that permit them to invest far more in international premium services than their American counterparts with 5-6 hubs and the largest domestic market other than China.
Aug 7, 2014, 9:44 am
#1058
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
There is a basic misunderstanding here. It may be true that it is difficult for a company to undertake the expense of upgrading their service in the hope that passengers might pay more for the upgraded service. However, that is not the question here. The question is whether a company that is already succeeding at generating marginal revenue better than its competitors can lower its service standards with out giving up that revenue advantage. Very different question.
UA's meal service has declined significantly (albeit gradually) from both PMUA and PMCO. I don't see UA as AA's main competitor (especially on the PMUS routes). DL is now AA's main competitor for paid premium traffic, so if I were Doug, I would be watching DL very closely and not doing what UA has been doing: matching DL in areas that piss off most customers, but not matching DL in areas that enhance the experience for most customers.
Aug 7, 2014, 12:26 pm
#1059
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego (SAN)
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 939
The "some sort of pass" that employees can purchase for the Admiral's Club is the the same sort of pass than anybody else can purchase... a day-pass or membership at the prevailing rates. To the best of my knowledge, AA was the only airline left that didn't allow employees to purchase memberships to the clubs, with Delta going so far as to offer employees a discounted membership rate. The clubs still can't be accessed while in uniform, so I highly doubt you'll be seeing any significant number of employees purchasing a membership to use the club as a hangout; those who choose to become members will most likely use the club, like any other member, in connection with their travel.
Aug 7, 2014, 2:18 pm
#1060
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
And, btw, that happens (on flights to Canada, for a very nearby example), so whatever name changes you propose have to at least also include "Business:. Because the service up front is the same whether the plane is flying a 3+ hour flight within the US or a 3+ hour flight between the US and Canada, even though the name of the cabin is different.
Aug 8, 2014, 10:00 am
#1061
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, AA EXP
Posts: 2,704
Does this mean that SFO-DFW will receive cake for dessert while LAX-DFW will not?
Aug 8, 2014, 11:04 am
#1062
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
SFO-DFW is around 200 miles longer than LAX-DFW.
Aug 8, 2014, 8:08 pm
#1064
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
More flights losing meal service than realized?
First, I have also written to customer service and got a reply in a few hours on this topic similar to many who have posted already. My main point was on losing meal service for DFW connecting flights on close to MCT situations (which I do to make the flight service as close to direct/non-stop as possible). I specifically asked that this feedback be shared with the appropriate executives so they can track and see if it makes a difference.
I have already mentioned the 2 coupon e500 flights here which for the most part are no longer formal meal service (DFW-TPA is a good example), but there are some additional flights that I am not sure we have talked about.
In this last month to enjoy the AA traditional meal service, I have also paid attention to some edge flights that are typically listed as Snack or Brunch. Most of us know that means a plated, formal meal service. Also, the timing of these services appears to be a bit more liberal than the new upcoming changes.
Here is an example flight: DFW-LAS (8:10pm departure, over 1000 miles, 2:45 block time). On some recent departures, they were serving an open faced turkey sandwich or a chicken salad with quinoa. Next month, it becomes a refreshments flight. Now based on the departure time, this is correct, but it is still a reduction of service that we might not have watched for as closely because the time and distance factors were still 'eligible'. I know there are those who say that this might have already been a waste of a 3rd sticker route already or there is much better food in Las Vegas, but that isn't the point.
I don't have the ease to track how many of these 'edge' flights will be cut, but it again shows appreciation for how the old AA figured out meal schedules to be pretty customer friendly and where they best were needed. I know I will be buying fewer stickers and letting others pay for the upgrades since the WiFi and power works just as well in MCE, and I save $90 or so each segment.
Rasheed
I have already mentioned the 2 coupon e500 flights here which for the most part are no longer formal meal service (DFW-TPA is a good example), but there are some additional flights that I am not sure we have talked about.
In this last month to enjoy the AA traditional meal service, I have also paid attention to some edge flights that are typically listed as Snack or Brunch. Most of us know that means a plated, formal meal service. Also, the timing of these services appears to be a bit more liberal than the new upcoming changes.
Here is an example flight: DFW-LAS (8:10pm departure, over 1000 miles, 2:45 block time). On some recent departures, they were serving an open faced turkey sandwich or a chicken salad with quinoa. Next month, it becomes a refreshments flight. Now based on the departure time, this is correct, but it is still a reduction of service that we might not have watched for as closely because the time and distance factors were still 'eligible'. I know there are those who say that this might have already been a waste of a 3rd sticker route already or there is much better food in Las Vegas, but that isn't the point.
I don't have the ease to track how many of these 'edge' flights will be cut, but it again shows appreciation for how the old AA figured out meal schedules to be pretty customer friendly and where they best were needed. I know I will be buying fewer stickers and letting others pay for the upgrades since the WiFi and power works just as well in MCE, and I save $90 or so each segment.
Rasheed
Last edited by rasheed; Aug 8, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Aug 8, 2014, 9:03 pm
#1065
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Here is an example flight: DFW-LAS (8:10pm departure, over 1000 miles, 2:45 block time). On some recent departures, they were serving an open faced turkey sandwich or a chicken salad with quinoa. Next month, it becomes a refreshments flight. Now based on the departure time, this is correct, but it is still a reduction of service that we might not have watched for as closely because the time and distance factors were still 'eligible'. I know there are those who say that this might have already been a waste of a 3rd sticker route already or there is much better food in Las Vegas, but that isn't the point.