Aug 31, 2014, 11:35 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
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This thread touches upon shared individual experiences when flying First/Business domestically on AA/US, in regards to meal service (sharing menus/photos/experiences, both good and bad), as well as answering questions. Both carriers are still operating separately, but as of 9/1, domestic meal service (including Alaska and Hawaii) has been standardized across both carriers. Hence, the meal experience should be identical on both carriers, across the board, domestically.
What should we expect?
MEAL WINDOWS:
Up to 699 miles (under 2 hours):
Enjoy a light snack such as a fig bar, cookies or pretzels.
700-899 miles (2 – 2:30 hours)
A heartier selection of snacks such as sandwiches and fresh fruit is served on most flights (Lite Bites), with exceptions (see below).
900 – 1,298 miles (2:45 – 3:30 hours)
Warmed mixed nuts and a heartier selection of snacks such as sandwiches and fresh fruit is served on most flights.
1,299+ miles (over 3:30 hours)
Enjoy an appetizer paired with your entrée followed by cake for dessert. For 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 certain transcons, listed below.)
CERTAIN MARKETS:
A321 Transcontinental Service (JFK-LAX/SFO):
Note: This focuses specifically on JFK-LAX/SFO service.
Hawaiian Flights:
Between Hawaii and DFW/ORD:
Between Hawaii and LAX/PHX:
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.
Some of this information has been copied from the AA/US websites. This Wiki will be updated if there are any modifications made to the combined carrier's meal policy.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Flights departing DFW
(lower right wiki corner)This thread touches upon shared individual experiences when flying First/Business domestically on AA/US, in regards to meal service (sharing menus/photos/experiences, both good and bad), as well as answering questions. Both carriers are still operating separately, but as of 9/1, domestic meal service (including Alaska and Hawaii) has been standardized across both carriers. Hence, the meal experience should be identical on both carriers, across the board, domestically.
What should we expect?
MEAL WINDOWS:
Up to 699 miles (under 2 hours):
Enjoy a light snack such as a fig bar, cookies or pretzels.
700-899 miles (2 – 2:30 hours)
A heartier selection of snacks such as sandwiches and fresh fruit is served on most flights (Lite Bites), with exceptions (see below).
900 – 1,298 miles (2:45 – 3:30 hours)
Warmed mixed nuts and a heartier selection of snacks such as sandwiches and fresh fruit is served on most flights.
1,299+ miles (over 3:30 hours)
Enjoy an appetizer paired with your entrée followed by cake for dessert. For 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 certain transcons, listed below.)
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 JFK-LAX/SFO service.
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
- Between FLL and: PAP
- Between JFK and: FLL, MCO, TPA
- Between MIA and: IAH, PAP
- Between MSP and: CLT, PHL
- Between ORD and: BOS, DCA, DEN, JFK, LGA, RDU, AUS
Some of this information has been copied from the AA/US websites. This Wiki will be updated if there are any modifications made to the combined carrier's meal policy.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Flights departing DFW
Late 2014 AA/US Combined Domestic Meals - menu / pictures / etc. (Consolidated)
Sep 1, 2014, 7:54 pm
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
In all likelihood that's not what was presented when AA was testing meals. It's likely the result of caterers either under budgeting what true cost then skimping or lack of quality control. Hopefully AA has some oversight but it will be interesting to see if the sufficient lack of filling is a one-off.
Sep 1, 2014, 7:55 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Currently in first on AA 260 MKE-DFW. Just had a run in with the snack basket and it wasn't pretty. I grabbed a miniscule tomato pesto sandwich that tasted as bad as it looked. I don't like to complain a lot but this was a really pathetic offering for first class. AA should just save themselves the trouble and money and not offer anything. I know their previous first class meal service wasn't always great but it was still fairly edible and I felt like I got a decent value for the money I paid. Just last month I had a fairly enjoyable chicken marsala on this same flight. American is really going downhill in a hurry. When you get taken over by an airline and management team whose stock ticker was "LCC" I guess this is to somewhat be expected though.
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I have a couple short hops from MIA-CLT and ATL-MIA with in and outbound connections from/to MCO this Friday and Monday respectively. I suppose this is the crAAp I get to look forward to in F. Hopefully they're well stocked with alcohol...
Sep 1, 2014, 8:01 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
Currently in first on AA 260 MKE-DFW. Just had a run in with the snack basket and it wasn't pretty. I grabbed a miniscule tomato pesto sandwich that tasted as bad as it looked. I don't like to complain a lot but this was a really pathetic offering for first class. AA should just save themselves the trouble and money and not offer anything. I know their previous first class meal service wasn't always great but it was still fairly edible and I felt like I got a decent value for the money I paid. Just last month I had a fairly enjoyable chicken marsala on this same flight. American is really going downhill in a hurry. When you get taken over by an airline and management team whose stock ticker was "LCC" I guess this is to somewhat be expected though.
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Sep 1, 2014, 8:06 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
I'm sorry but AA should be truly embarrassed to serve that to ANY customer or human for that matter. This isn't even a meal fit to be served in Y on an ATR. Wildly disappointing...
I have a couple short hops from MIA-CLT and ATL-MIA with in and outbound connections from/to MCO this Friday and Monday respectively. I suppose this is the crAAp I get to look forward to in F. Hopefully they're well stocked with alcohol...
I have a couple short hops from MIA-CLT and ATL-MIA with in and outbound connections from/to MCO this Friday and Monday respectively. I suppose this is the crAAp I get to look forward to in F. Hopefully they're well stocked with alcohol...
Incidentally, I was at Walmart a few weeks ago and saw a (non-perishable) food product called "Little Bites." From a distance, I could have sworn it said "Lite Bites." I, of course, immediately thought of the new F service on AA. The quality probably isn't too far off.
Sep 1, 2014, 8:55 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Programs: AA, Southwest, Hilton, Hyatt
Posts: 237
delete
Last edited by F&B767; Sep 2, 2014 at 10:27 am
Sep 1, 2014, 9:28 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
The reality of "Lite Bite" first-class meal substitution has arrived. I experienced this (as a standard service offering, mind you, not a downgrade) on US a few trips this year. I knew there was no effective way in advance to communicate just what a downgrade this would be.
Flights like the MKE-DFW segment referenced above or DFW-DEN, etc., where a plated meal (whether 'snack' or 'lunch' designation) was formerly served in F on pmAA, will be a shock over the next weeks to regular customers. A basket of junk food including shelf-stable, bread-&-smear packaged 'lite bites' are simply not going to satisfy 80%+ of the pmAA F-cabin regulars.
Flights like the MKE-DFW segment referenced above or DFW-DEN, etc., where a plated meal (whether 'snack' or 'lunch' designation) was formerly served in F on pmAA, will be a shock over the next weeks to regular customers. A basket of junk food including shelf-stable, bread-&-smear packaged 'lite bites' are simply not going to satisfy 80%+ of the pmAA F-cabin regulars.
Sep 1, 2014, 9:36 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,254
The reality of "Lite Bite" first-class meal substitution has arrived. I experienced this (as a standard service offering, mind you, not a downgrade) on US a few trips this year. I knew there was no effective way in advance to communicate just what a downgrade this would be.
Flights like the MKE-DFW segment referenced above or DFW-DEN, etc., where a plated meal (whether 'snack' or 'lunch' designation) was formerly served in F on pmAA, will be a shock over the next weeks to regular customers. A basket of junk food including shelf-stable, bread-&-smear packaged 'lite bites' are simply not going to satisfy 80%+ of the pmAA F-cabin regulars.
Flights like the MKE-DFW segment referenced above or DFW-DEN, etc., where a plated meal (whether 'snack' or 'lunch' designation) was formerly served in F on pmAA, will be a shock over the next weeks to regular customers. A basket of junk food including shelf-stable, bread-&-smear packaged 'lite bites' are simply not going to satisfy 80%+ of the pmAA F-cabin regulars.
This does seem to be quite a jarring change in terms of what those who have traveled certain routes have learned to expect. I would not want to be an FA for the next few months on the flights that used to have a tangible meal and now have a select of a basket of inauspicious snack food.
Sep 1, 2014, 9:37 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Ahh, I see that now, I was overly focused on the duration guidelines and not on the actual mileage brackets.
This will hit hard on MCO-DFW for me though. That falls just a few miles short of 1000, super lame! I suppose I'll just have to schedule time in between flights to hit the Cent Lounge and get some real food. That or I could just start using PBI for my connections through DFW since its about the same distance for me from MCO. Anything to avoid getting one of those god awful plastic wrapped sandwiches tossed in my face...
This will hit hard on MCO-DFW for me though. That falls just a few miles short of 1000, super lame! I suppose I'll just have to schedule time in between flights to hit the Cent Lounge and get some real food. That or I could just start using PBI for my connections through DFW since its about the same distance for me from MCO. Anything to avoid getting one of those god awful plastic wrapped sandwiches tossed in my face...
Sep 1, 2014, 9:40 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
Ahh, I see that now, I was overly focused on the duration guidelines and not on the actual mileage brackets.
This will hit hard on MCO-DFW for me though. That falls just a few miles short of 1000, super lame! I suppose I'll just have to schedule time in between flights to hit the Cent Lounge and get some real food. That or I could just start using PBI for my connections through DFW since its about the same distance for me from MCO. Anything to avoid getting one of those god awful plastic wrapped sandwiches tossed in my face...
This will hit hard on MCO-DFW for me though. That falls just a few miles short of 1000, super lame! I suppose I'll just have to schedule time in between flights to hit the Cent Lounge and get some real food. That or I could just start using PBI for my connections through DFW since its about the same distance for me from MCO. Anything to avoid getting one of those god awful plastic wrapped sandwiches tossed in my face...
Fastflyer, DFW-DEN is too short for lite bites.
Sep 1, 2014, 9:47 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
Looks like the Lite Bites aren't exactly being well-received on social media.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAir/stat...38557612883968
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAir/stat...38557612883968
Sep 1, 2014, 9:50 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
Looks like the Lite Bites aren't exactly being well-received on social media.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAir/stat...38557612883968
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAir/stat...38557612883968
Last edited by TXguy; Sep 1, 2014 at 10:26 pm
Sep 1, 2014, 9:52 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: YYJ
Posts: 4,137
Looks like the Lite Bites aren't exactly being well-received on social media.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAir/stat...38557612883968
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAir/stat...38557612883968
Sep 1, 2014, 9:55 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
Flights departing after 8 PM over 1000 miles, including even most transcons, get lite bites (though FT'ers have noted some flights are coded as exceptions).
Last edited by TXguy; Sep 1, 2014 at 10:05 pm
Sep 1, 2014, 9:57 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Just want to take a moment and thank US management for coming in and trashing a once good airline. Way to go guys! ^
Sep 1, 2014, 9:57 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
Addendum: She was on the DFW-SEA flight, leaving at 8:25pm (Flt #2247)
On the other hand, I saw a few pictures of the warmed nuts 'ramekin' and the cookies. Looks great! If only AA could restore tray linens and perhaps tweak the meal windows to be 800-900mi, matching UA and DL, then I really think there would be little complaints, IMHO.
C'mon guys, post more pictures/reports! I want to know what transcon service looks like (both the 'premium' JFK-LAX/SFO and 'non-premium' such as BOS-LAX transcons).
I think it's kind of silly. I also think it was a bit of a ham-headed move of management to enforce a stiff 1000mi threshold (with exceptions). Would've been better for everyone, and makes more sense, to have implemented a 800-900mi threshold instead. 1000mi seems a bit nitpicky, IMHO.
Last edited by MrAndy1369; Sep 1, 2014 at 10:14 pm Reason: added information