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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#1877
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Puny, disappointing "continental breakfast" a few days ago on a Mesa CR9. Tray consisted of a plate of granola, warm milk carton, and packaged fig newtons. Would it really break LCC's bank to throw a banana or apple on there? Pathetic. Would've taken a picture but I didn't want to insult my camera phone. I'd guess maybe 3/9 pax even took the offer.
#1878
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
Puny, disappointing "continental breakfast" a few days ago on a Mesa CR9. Tray consisted of a plate of granola, warm milk carton, and packaged fig newtons. Would it really break LCC's bank to throw a banana or apple on there? Pathetic. Would've taken a picture but I didn't want to insult my camera phone. I'd guess maybe 3/9 pax even took the offer.
#1879
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
What customer? Today I witnessed the FC FA give two of the giant bottles of water to the GA (upon request) before we left CLT but then when 1C was asked for a drink after takeoff a "bottle of water" was not allowed
#1880
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
#1883
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Exactly. Just come out and say that if your route is worthless enough to get LCC equipment, no meal served and I could've saved my stickers. At least we got PDBs though!
#1884
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
AA895 8/21
PHX-ORD
12:30pm scheduled
Lunch flight
Today's lunch out of PHX came with the standard pmUS crewed service. PDB, Towel, orders, nuts/beverage, all in line
Now, for the stuff we care about. I've realized you all want linen reports...so yes, linens and set first, below tray. Oddly removed prior to desert.
Lunch options were lasagna or Asian chicken salad. I had no choice (trending...apparently catering hates me?) so I got to try the salad. Which made me happy, seeing as how being handed the lasagna 2 weeks ago was not an experience I wanted to repeat.
Shocker! The lasagna had BASIL and PARM! It also looked gigantic, relative to my mini "entree" salad. Could AA spare a whole chicken breast? Maybe?
Despite size, I rather enjoyed my low carb entree. Both meals had the new caprese appetizer. Reminded me of the one I got from vce-phl in late July.
Desert was a wilted cheesecake that tasted more creamchesse-like than anything. Nothing like the cakes I've had previously, or the old AA cheesecake :-(
Service has been slow, but personalized. I guess I'm sitting next to an exp, because the FA keeps engaging with him first, often awkwardly at times. Happy Friday all!
PHX-ORD
12:30pm scheduled
Lunch flight
Today's lunch out of PHX came with the standard pmUS crewed service. PDB, Towel, orders, nuts/beverage, all in line
Now, for the stuff we care about. I've realized you all want linen reports...so yes, linens and set first, below tray. Oddly removed prior to desert.
Lunch options were lasagna or Asian chicken salad. I had no choice (trending...apparently catering hates me?) so I got to try the salad. Which made me happy, seeing as how being handed the lasagna 2 weeks ago was not an experience I wanted to repeat.
Shocker! The lasagna had BASIL and PARM! It also looked gigantic, relative to my mini "entree" salad. Could AA spare a whole chicken breast? Maybe?
Despite size, I rather enjoyed my low carb entree. Both meals had the new caprese appetizer. Reminded me of the one I got from vce-phl in late July.
Desert was a wilted cheesecake that tasted more creamchesse-like than anything. Nothing like the cakes I've had previously, or the old AA cheesecake :-(
Service has been slow, but personalized. I guess I'm sitting next to an exp, because the FA keeps engaging with him first, often awkwardly at times. Happy Friday all!
PHX - CLT
2:05pm Scheduled
No need to add anything to the above. Same options same Caprese Salad on the side of a salad. Only difference was the fact that we had awesome service both PDB and during the flight. Cheesecake was described as "creme brulee" cheesecake. Sad to say meal was nowhere near the quality of UA F transcons I've been on this summer (much less D1 JFK - SFO or Mint JFK - SFO dinner flights). How the mighty have fallen.
#1885
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AA Ex Plat United Premier Silver Hilton Diamond Marriott Gold
Posts: 104
My god PLEASE tell me you didnt just compare phx-clt to a D1/mint/Ua tcon. Those are not the same. You didnt fly between JFK and LAX/SFO did you? No, it was phx clt. NOT a premium TCON route. I had beef oscar with crab on JFK-SFO AA163. Thats comparable to the above mentioned. Not phx-clt.....
#1886
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
My god PLEASE tell me you didnt just compare phx-clt to a D1/mint/Ua tcon. Those are not the same. You didnt fly between JFK and LAX/SFO did you? No, it was phx clt. NOT a premium TCON route. I had beef oscar with crab on JFK-SFO AA163. Thats comparable to the above mentioned. Not phx-clt.....
#1887
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
My god PLEASE tell me you didnt just compare phx-clt to a D1/mint/Ua tcon. Those are not the same. You didnt fly between JFK and LAX/SFO did you? No, it was phx clt. NOT a premium TCON route. I had beef oscar with crab on JFK-SFO AA163. Thats comparable to the above mentioned. Not phx-clt.....
#1888
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
Speaking of, how was it? (the wife and I have this next week on our JFK-SFO? Any tips on ordering it, like rare, to try and get it less brown?)
*we have a breakfast route on the way out, I picked the waffle, she grabbed the omelet...
*we have a breakfast route on the way out, I picked the waffle, she grabbed the omelet...
#1889
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
LAX-DEN
Breakfast
Compass Air E-175
Overall an extremely impressive flight on a new wi-fi equipped aircraft with a great crew!
PDB of choice before takeoff! ^
Once in the air, the FA remembered my drink choice and offered it to me again! ^
Hot towels followed.
Meal CHOICE was either a breakfast granola wrap or a a bowl of granola. Having had the granola bowl on the outbound, I opted for the wrap this time.
Overall, the breakfast was quite filling. A fruit plate with fresh fruit was served on the side as was a pastry with butter packet.
Very impressive short-haul flight that vastly out-shined mainline product and service.!
Breakfast
Compass Air E-175
Overall an extremely impressive flight on a new wi-fi equipped aircraft with a great crew!
PDB of choice before takeoff! ^
Once in the air, the FA remembered my drink choice and offered it to me again! ^
Hot towels followed.
Meal CHOICE was either a breakfast granola wrap or a a bowl of granola. Having had the granola bowl on the outbound, I opted for the wrap this time.
Overall, the breakfast was quite filling. A fruit plate with fresh fruit was served on the side as was a pastry with butter packet.
Very impressive short-haul flight that vastly out-shined mainline product and service.!
#1890
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
LAX-DEN
Breakfast
Compass Air E-175
Overall an extremely impressive flight on a new wi-fi equipped aircraft with a great crew!
PDB of choice before takeoff! ^
Once in the air, the FA remembered my drink choice and offered it to me again! ^
Hot towels followed.
Meal CHOICE was either a breakfast granola wrap or a a bowl of granola. Having had the granola bowl on the outbound, I opted for the wrap this time.
Overall, the breakfast was quite filling. A fruit plate with fresh fruit was served on the side as was a pastry with butter packet.
Very impressive short-haul flight that vastly out-shined mainline product and service.!
Breakfast
Compass Air E-175
Overall an extremely impressive flight on a new wi-fi equipped aircraft with a great crew!
PDB of choice before takeoff! ^
Once in the air, the FA remembered my drink choice and offered it to me again! ^
Hot towels followed.
Meal CHOICE was either a breakfast granola wrap or a a bowl of granola. Having had the granola bowl on the outbound, I opted for the wrap this time.
Overall, the breakfast was quite filling. A fruit plate with fresh fruit was served on the side as was a pastry with butter packet.
Very impressive short-haul flight that vastly out-shined mainline product and service.!