Last edit by: JDiver
AA/US Domestic Dining (including Canada, Mexico, & the Caribbean)
Note: this thread is about meals served on AA-US. There is another thread for the contingent that wishes to debate and discuss linens as a primary subject, including related presentation issues: Linens / presentation debate for meal service on AA, US / both.
PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST. /Moderators
Welcome to the 2015 Domestic Dining thread and the resulting discussion/trip reports/photos/shared experiences. Here, in this wiki post, I'll strive to explain what you should expect on AA flights in First and Business, meals-wise. Keep in mind that there are many domestic flights, so there are quite a few parameters to keep track of. This Wiki covers both AA and US flights, but as of September 2014, AA and US offers identical meal service domestically, so that part of the merger has its' harmonization completed.
Basically, in its' best condensed form, you should expect to receive a meal between 4:59am - 8pm on flights longer than 900 miles, which equals about two hours in the air. From that point, there are exceptions, and specific timing parameters.
What to Expect - Mainline:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.
- Up to 699 miles: Light snacks such as a fig bar, cookies, and/or pretzels
- 700-899 miles: Warmed nuts, a snack plate (fruit/cheese, pita/hummus, or spinach dip/pita), and a cookie
- 900-1298 miles: A meal (fruit/breakfast entree; salad/entree) followed by a cookie; no meals between 1:30-4pm
- 1298-2199 miles: A full meal including an appetizer, with cake for lunch desserts and premade ice-cream for dinner desserts
- 2200 miles and above: Same as 1298-2199 miles, but consists of made-to-order sundaes or a cheese plate for both lunch and dinner desserts
What to Expect - Regional:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.
- Up to 175 miles: A light snack mix along with beverage service
- 176-899 miles: Sweet and savory, organic/healthy snack choices (snack basket)
- 900-2199 miles: Warm mixed nuts, two meal options, and dessert. (For flights over 2200 miles, you will receive the same selection of snacks from 176-899 miles as a pre-arrival snack. All regional meal flights leaving after 8:00pm will also receive sweet and savory snacks as the only option. Editor's note: A regional jet for 2000+ miles? Hope that never happens!)
All of the meal flights that fall under the above timing parameters will receive two choices; normally, one meat and one vegetarian.
Longer westbound flights leaving from the east coast (transcontinental; non-premium) are not officially exceptions, but some flights after 8pm receive a full dinner service (such as the 8:05pm MIA-SAN flight, or the 8:30pm PHL-LAS flight). Additionally, non-premium transcontinental red-eye flights will receive snack basket service upon departure, then a continental breakfast box prior to arrival.
Official Exceptions:
The following flights all fall under 900 miles, but will receive a full meal service, with the exception of flights leaving between 1:31-4pm. Despite some of the listed flights being over 900 miles, they are remaining listed here, based on the AA website for documentation purposes.
- Chicago (ORD) - AUS/BDL/BOS/DCA/EWR/JFK/LGA/MSY/RDU
- Dallas (DFW) - BJX/ORD/MEX/QRO/SLP
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - PAP
- Los Angeles (LAX) - DEN
- Miami (MIA) - DCA/IAD/PAP
- New York (LGA) - ATL
- Phoenix (PHX) - MZT
Additional Information:
- JFK-LAX/SFO; MIA-LAX are considered premium transcontinental flights, and as such, receives a more refined service with three meal choices, per-course service, printed menus, and tray/tablecloth linens in both F/J. Those flights now are the only domestic flights in the system to offer special meals as another option (which can be reserved by either preordering online, or calling). Red-eye flights will receive a full "supper/snack" meal service, which is basically a condensed dinner service.
- Hawaiian meal service is very similar to what you'd expect on 2200+ mile flights, but there also will be Hawaiian rolls served, along with a pre-arrival continental breakfast/snack (dependent on the length of the route). Tropical warmed nuts are also currently served.
- All flights over 700 miles, regardless of a meal being served or not, will receive warm mixed nuts and a cookie.
Disclaimer: The editor of this Wiki does not guarantee the information presented above will always be accurate or properly followed by AA, given catering mishaps, irregular operations, rogue crews, or mismanagement. For the best up-to-date information, it would be prudent to check AA's website constantly for any updates, or call AA. The editors of this Wiki will keep this Wiki updated as often as possible.
Last updated: 7/26/2015 2:33pm, MrAndy1369
2015 Combined AA/US Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (Consolidated)
#1756
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SF + PHX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, X Elite+
Posts: 262
AA618 (8/14)
PHX-BWI
PDB was open bar. Towel, followed by drink order, lunch/dinner orders.
Choices today were blackened shrimp and grits, or pasta with tomato vodka sauce. Had shrimp for the first time and they were surprisingly decent. Grits had freezer burn, but edible.
App was goat cheese and artichoke something. Only knew it was goat cheese after having a small taste. Salad was covered in feta and had a creamy ranch dressing.
Desert is vanilla ice cream with chocolate shavings. Hooray for no cookie!
On another note....what is the obsession with cheese? Many many people would prefer salads and apps without cheese, especially those kinds that are either 'love or hate' (ie: bleu, feta, goat, etc). I'd personally be much happier, and I'm sure there's a cost savings to be had somewhere if we made cheese on the salads optional or non existent..../end rant
PHX-BWI
PDB was open bar. Towel, followed by drink order, lunch/dinner orders.
Choices today were blackened shrimp and grits, or pasta with tomato vodka sauce. Had shrimp for the first time and they were surprisingly decent. Grits had freezer burn, but edible.
App was goat cheese and artichoke something. Only knew it was goat cheese after having a small taste. Salad was covered in feta and had a creamy ranch dressing.
Desert is vanilla ice cream with chocolate shavings. Hooray for no cookie!
On another note....what is the obsession with cheese? Many many people would prefer salads and apps without cheese, especially those kinds that are either 'love or hate' (ie: bleu, feta, goat, etc). I'd personally be much happier, and I'm sure there's a cost savings to be had somewhere if we made cheese on the salads optional or non existent..../end rant
#1757
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: PHL / SFO
Programs: free agent
Posts: 797
Man, this food is getting worse and worse. I don't know why I keep doing it to myself. My next flight is going to be a BYO affair.
Had two lunch flights today in the same direction (east-ish). Entree choices were the same on both.
Flight 1: linen tablecloth. Flight 2: no tablecloth. Didn't see hide nor hair of a hot towel all day.
App: mozzarella, tomato, basil
Entrees: choice of lasagna or (cold) teriyaki chicken salad
Dessert: flight1: cookie, flight2: creme brulee cheesecake
I had the lasagna on the first flight. This had the texture (and probably taste) of sliced yoga mat. They'd run out of that on flight #2 (not that I was going to have it again), so had the salad. Chicken was hard and nasty, salad was limp, brown around the edges.
The only things near edible on the initial tray were the rolls (fresh and warm) and the appetizer which wasn't too bad.
I watched as the FA picked up all the trays of the people in front of me who'd ordered the lasagna. Nobody ate it.
Seriously, I can't do this anymore. This "new AA" food is just dreadful, imho.
Had two lunch flights today in the same direction (east-ish). Entree choices were the same on both.
Flight 1: linen tablecloth. Flight 2: no tablecloth. Didn't see hide nor hair of a hot towel all day.
App: mozzarella, tomato, basil
Entrees: choice of lasagna or (cold) teriyaki chicken salad
Dessert: flight1: cookie, flight2: creme brulee cheesecake
I had the lasagna on the first flight. This had the texture (and probably taste) of sliced yoga mat. They'd run out of that on flight #2 (not that I was going to have it again), so had the salad. Chicken was hard and nasty, salad was limp, brown around the edges.
The only things near edible on the initial tray were the rolls (fresh and warm) and the appetizer which wasn't too bad.
I watched as the FA picked up all the trays of the people in front of me who'd ordered the lasagna. Nobody ate it.
Seriously, I can't do this anymore. This "new AA" food is just dreadful, imho.
#1758
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
Man, this food is getting worse and worse. I don't know why I keep doing it to myself. My next flight is going to be a BYO affair.
Had two lunch flights today in the same direction (east-ish). Entree choices were the same on both.
Flight 1: linen tablecloth. Flight 2: no tablecloth. Didn't see hide nor hair of a hot towel all day.
App: mozzarella, tomato, basil
Entrees: choice of lasagna or (cold) teriyaki chicken salad
Dessert: flight1: cookie, flight2: creme brulee cheesecake
I had the lasagna on the first flight. This had the texture (and probably taste) of sliced yoga mat. They'd run out of that on flight #2 (not that I was going to have it again), so had the salad. Chicken was hard and nasty, salad was limp, brown around the edges.
The only things near edible on the initial tray were the rolls (fresh and warm) and the appetizer which wasn't too bad.
I watched as the FA picked up all the trays of the people in front of me who'd ordered the lasagna. Nobody ate it.
Seriously, I can't do this anymore. This "new AA" food is just dreadful, imho.
Had two lunch flights today in the same direction (east-ish). Entree choices were the same on both.
Flight 1: linen tablecloth. Flight 2: no tablecloth. Didn't see hide nor hair of a hot towel all day.
App: mozzarella, tomato, basil
Entrees: choice of lasagna or (cold) teriyaki chicken salad
Dessert: flight1: cookie, flight2: creme brulee cheesecake
I had the lasagna on the first flight. This had the texture (and probably taste) of sliced yoga mat. They'd run out of that on flight #2 (not that I was going to have it again), so had the salad. Chicken was hard and nasty, salad was limp, brown around the edges.
The only things near edible on the initial tray were the rolls (fresh and warm) and the appetizer which wasn't too bad.
I watched as the FA picked up all the trays of the people in front of me who'd ordered the lasagna. Nobody ate it.
Seriously, I can't do this anymore. This "new AA" food is just dreadful, imho.
#1760
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
AA618 (8/14)
PHX-BWI
PDB was open bar. Towel, followed by drink order, lunch/dinner orders.
Choices today were blackened shrimp and grits, or pasta with tomato vodka sauce. Had shrimp for the first time and they were surprisingly decent. Grits had freezer burn, but edible.
App was goat cheese and artichoke something. Only knew it was goat cheese after having a small taste. Salad was covered in feta and had a creamy ranch dressing.
Desert is vanilla ice cream with chocolate shavings. Hooray for no cookie!
On another note....what is the obsession with cheese? Many many people would prefer salads and apps without cheese, especially those kinds that are either 'love or hate' (ie: bleu, feta, goat, etc). I'd personally be much happier, and I'm sure there's a cost savings to be had somewhere if we made cheese on the salads optional or non existent..../end rant
PHX-BWI
PDB was open bar. Towel, followed by drink order, lunch/dinner orders.
Choices today were blackened shrimp and grits, or pasta with tomato vodka sauce. Had shrimp for the first time and they were surprisingly decent. Grits had freezer burn, but edible.
App was goat cheese and artichoke something. Only knew it was goat cheese after having a small taste. Salad was covered in feta and had a creamy ranch dressing.
Desert is vanilla ice cream with chocolate shavings. Hooray for no cookie!
On another note....what is the obsession with cheese? Many many people would prefer salads and apps without cheese, especially those kinds that are either 'love or hate' (ie: bleu, feta, goat, etc). I'd personally be much happier, and I'm sure there's a cost savings to be had somewhere if we made cheese on the salads optional or non existent..../end rant
And while I'm not a cookie aficionado, I prefer a cookie over ice cream and most definitely over those nasty airplane cake slices.
#1761
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
Oh don't worry, I got your point. The lasagna is repulsive, I've been subjected to it before. It's just even more unacceptable that flying transcontinental on a pair of flights, someone can get stuck with the same menu for both. That never used to happen in my experience.
#1762
Formerly known as billinaz
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Goodyear,AZ for now then FL Spacecoast
Programs: US Airways Dividend Miles, American AAdvantage, Avis Preferred, Budget Rapid Rez, Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,145
#1763
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,456
AA618 (8/14)
PHX-BWI
PDB was open bar. Towel, followed by drink order, lunch/dinner orders.
Choices today were blackened shrimp and grits, or pasta with tomato vodka sauce. Had shrimp for the first time and they were surprisingly decent. Grits had freezer burn, but edible.
App was goat cheese and artichoke something. Only knew it was goat cheese after having a small taste. Salad was covered in feta and had a creamy ranch dressing.
Desert is vanilla ice cream with chocolate shavings. Hooray for no cookie!
On another note....what is the obsession with cheese? Many many people would prefer salads and apps without cheese, especially those kinds that are either 'love or hate' (ie: bleu, feta, goat, etc). I'd personally be much happier, and I'm sure there's a cost savings to be had somewhere if we made cheese on the salads optional or non existent..../end rant
PHX-BWI
PDB was open bar. Towel, followed by drink order, lunch/dinner orders.
Choices today were blackened shrimp and grits, or pasta with tomato vodka sauce. Had shrimp for the first time and they were surprisingly decent. Grits had freezer burn, but edible.
App was goat cheese and artichoke something. Only knew it was goat cheese after having a small taste. Salad was covered in feta and had a creamy ranch dressing.
Desert is vanilla ice cream with chocolate shavings. Hooray for no cookie!
On another note....what is the obsession with cheese? Many many people would prefer salads and apps without cheese, especially those kinds that are either 'love or hate' (ie: bleu, feta, goat, etc). I'd personally be much happier, and I'm sure there's a cost savings to be had somewhere if we made cheese on the salads optional or non existent..../end rant
#1764
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
How can premium cabin service be so inconsistent and overall bad when your job is laid out for you like this? This airline is truly getting to be the worst minus Spirit. How can people feel proud to work for this company when they clearly do not do their job?
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 19, 2015 at 10:10 pm Reason: Redacted repeated image
#1765
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Agree on the cheese, disagree on the dessert. Sick of cookies. They have cookies in the AC. I do not want the same entree on every single flight, and I do not want the same dessert either.
#1766
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
I liked the cookies back when they were the Otis Spunkmeyer baked on board variety. Now Ive still yet to enjoy one since those were removed from AA and transplanted to UA. I agree on the current cookies. Not a fan and I'd go as far as to say I even prefer Delta's packaged dancing deer cookies and brownies.
#1767
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
I liked the cookies back when they were the Otis Spunkmeyer baked on board variety. Now Ive still yet to enjoy one since those were removed from AA and transplanted to UA. I agree on the current cookies. Not a fan and I'd go as far as to say I even prefer Delta's packaged dancing deer cookies and brownies.
#1768
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
The Dancing Deer cookies and brownies are great. ^
I like Delta's new(er) mid-long haul desserts which are a cake or pie piece along with some grapes and cheeses. That's a very nice dessert for a domestic.
#1769
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
#1770
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SF + PHX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, X Elite+
Posts: 262