Feb 22, 2015, 6:28 pm
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Aug 23, 2015, 4:30 pm
#1891
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,618
Maybe I am in the minority, but I have an issue with a cold salad being served on a Transcontinental Flight.
No, it is not a Premium Transcontinental Route, but IMHO two Hot Entree should be offered, not a pasta or a cold protein plus a salad.
No, it is not a Premium Transcontinental Route, but IMHO two Hot Entree should be offered, not a pasta or a cold protein plus a salad.
Aug 23, 2015, 5:11 pm
#1892
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
1) Hot protein
2) Hot pasta/veg option
3) Salad or cold plate with optional protein
Aug 23, 2015, 5:27 pm
#1893
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
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.!
Aug 23, 2015, 5:54 pm
#1894
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
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.!
Aug 23, 2015, 6:52 pm
#1895
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AA Ex Plat United Premier Silver Hilton Diamond Marriott Gold
Posts: 104
surprisingly good but man you have to get them to cook it less. Mine was pulverized lol. Just ask them to cook it a little less that should help. Otherwise the Oscar is great ^
Aug 23, 2015, 7:51 pm
#1896
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
When i had it they didn't ask how i wanted it done so it was cooked well done, but it still tasted fantastic.
Aug 23, 2015, 7:54 pm
#1897
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
Aug 23, 2015, 10:37 pm
#1898
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
Aug 24, 2015, 1:25 am
#1899
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA Silver, DL Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,851
Did you end up asking them to cook it less? I don't doubt you did, but man, yet another shoe leather airline steak...Hopefully the sauce and crab meat made up for it.
Aug 24, 2015, 6:59 am
#1900
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
Yeah, looks pretty unappetizing but I don't know how they would have cooked it less. This is why I try to avoid the steaks on airlines that don't really do food well. They end up looking like meatballs. At least the veggies look pretty decent.
Aug 24, 2015, 7:44 am
#1901
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
If one customer asked for an entire bottle of water then whats to stop the next one from asking for one, and then the next one, and then they run out of bottles and then have none? Maybe they were overcatered or they were left over from the other flight. I sort of get the point, but I grow tired of the endless threads of people whining that an employee got an upgrade (legitimately as part of pass benefits, not shenanigans) or an employee got this or that and because someone else got something there is a sense of entitlement. I mean its not like a liter or water is promised to each and every passenger and the FA failed in this respect; should it been more discrete? Probably, but I fail to see the issue here.
Aug 24, 2015, 7:53 am
#1902
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,994
So the customer wanted an entire bottle of water or wasn't given a cup of water?
If one customer asked for an entire bottle of water then whats to stop the next one from asking for one, and then the next one, and then they run out of bottles and then have none? Maybe they were overcatered or they were left over from the other flight. I sort of get the point, but I grow tired of the endless threads of people whining that an employee got an upgrade (legitimately as part of pass benefits, not shenanigans) or an employee got this or that and because someone else got something there is a sense of entitlement. I mean its not like a liter or water is promised to each and every passenger and the FA failed in this respect; should it been more discrete? Probably, but I fail to see the issue here.
If one customer asked for an entire bottle of water then whats to stop the next one from asking for one, and then the next one, and then they run out of bottles and then have none? Maybe they were overcatered or they were left over from the other flight. I sort of get the point, but I grow tired of the endless threads of people whining that an employee got an upgrade (legitimately as part of pass benefits, not shenanigans) or an employee got this or that and because someone else got something there is a sense of entitlement. I mean its not like a liter or water is promised to each and every passenger and the FA failed in this respect; should it been more discrete? Probably, but I fail to see the issue here.
I don't think I have ever heard a passenger on a domestic flight ask for a whole bottle of water. If they did, it was a pretty over the top request.
I have been told by FA's they must collect all drink cups before takeoff. (Can't remember if it was AA or US or UA because of a FAA rule. No idea if that is true or not, but, Delta leaves the F/C water bottles.)
Aug 24, 2015, 7:58 am
#1903
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SAN
Programs: AA-EXP; US-Silver; Marriott-Platinum; Starwood-Platinum; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,260
DFW-SAN
737-800
Dinner
No PDBs whatsoever prior to departure. Upon climb out no drinks prior to dinner service. Hot towel given WITH peanuts.
Shrimp & Polenta
I tried the shrimp and polenta again (yellow spongy squishy thing - tho it didn't look like a block this time). The shrimp still was seasoned well. The polenta still had no flavor. Had the texture of sand. The FA serving seemed to be in a race and was practically tossing trays on the table. Both my plate and seat mates plate were delivered as such with the plate juices sloshed onto the cafeteria mats. No linens.
Dishes collected and cookie was offered. One drink refill then FA disappeared into galley for remainder of flight. Pressed call button and FA from economy responded a minute later to get a water refill. Kinda losing faith here. This seriously has caused me to purchase two more coach fares instead of F. Why pay the extra when my upgrade rate has been nearly perfect?
737-800
Dinner
No PDBs whatsoever prior to departure. Upon climb out no drinks prior to dinner service. Hot towel given WITH peanuts.
Shrimp & Polenta
I tried the shrimp and polenta again (yellow spongy squishy thing - tho it didn't look like a block this time). The shrimp still was seasoned well. The polenta still had no flavor. Had the texture of sand. The FA serving seemed to be in a race and was practically tossing trays on the table. Both my plate and seat mates plate were delivered as such with the plate juices sloshed onto the cafeteria mats. No linens.
Dishes collected and cookie was offered. One drink refill then FA disappeared into galley for remainder of flight. Pressed call button and FA from economy responded a minute later to get a water refill. Kinda losing faith here. This seriously has caused me to purchase two more coach fares instead of F. Why pay the extra when my upgrade rate has been nearly perfect?
Aug 24, 2015, 8:08 am
#1904
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
While i agree with your thoughts on the complaints on anything/everything, what OP saw here was employee theft. While is is so common place that it seems normal, it is theft. I would guess it costs AA a decent amount every year.
I don't think I have ever heard a passenger on a domestic flight ask for a whole bottle of water. If they did, it was a pretty over the top request.
I have been told by FA's they must collect all drink cups before takeoff. (Can't remember if it was AA or US or UA because of a FAA rule. No idea if that is true or not, but, Delta leaves the F/C water bottles.)
I don't think I have ever heard a passenger on a domestic flight ask for a whole bottle of water. If they did, it was a pretty over the top request.
I have been told by FA's they must collect all drink cups before takeoff. (Can't remember if it was AA or US or UA because of a FAA rule. No idea if that is true or not, but, Delta leaves the F/C water bottles.)
That said, the OP's experience sounds more like a lAAzy crew issue than a Shena issue. Customers should never be declined a glass of water.
Delta is able to leave the F bottles because they are technically not service items and are supposed to be stored at one's seat prior to departure, though no one really cares about that.
DFW-SAN
737-800
Dinner
No PDBs whatsoever prior to departure. Upon climb out no drinks prior to dinner service. Hot towel given WITH peanuts.
I tried the shrimp and polenta again (yellow spongy squishy thing - tho it didn't look like a block this time). The shrimp still was seasoned well. The polenta still had no flavor. Had the texture of sand. The FA serving seemed to be in a race and was practically tossing trays on the table. Both my plate and seat mates plate were delivered as such with the plate juices sloshed onto the cafeteria mats. No linens.
Dishes collected and cookie was offered. One drink refill then FA disappeared into galley for remainder of flight. Pressed call button and FA from economy responded a minute later to get a water refill. Kinda losing faith here. This seriously has caused me to purchase two more coach fares instead of F. Why pay the extra when my upgrade rate has been nearly perfect?
737-800
Dinner
No PDBs whatsoever prior to departure. Upon climb out no drinks prior to dinner service. Hot towel given WITH peanuts.
I tried the shrimp and polenta again (yellow spongy squishy thing - tho it didn't look like a block this time). The shrimp still was seasoned well. The polenta still had no flavor. Had the texture of sand. The FA serving seemed to be in a race and was practically tossing trays on the table. Both my plate and seat mates plate were delivered as such with the plate juices sloshed onto the cafeteria mats. No linens.
Dishes collected and cookie was offered. One drink refill then FA disappeared into galley for remainder of flight. Pressed call button and FA from economy responded a minute later to get a water refill. Kinda losing faith here. This seriously has caused me to purchase two more coach fares instead of F. Why pay the extra when my upgrade rate has been nearly perfect?
Can't wait until August is over to see what the next rotation of meals is, or are these going to be around for the next quarter or more?
Aug 24, 2015, 8:25 am
#1905
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
Of the re-purposed pmAA entrees that were introduced in their new form on 8/1, this one has to be the weakest. AA's original shrimp & grits were actually pretty good, this new take on it just isn't. Looks like a pretty terrible job of plating as well.
Can't wait until August is over to see what the next rotation of meals is, or are these going to be around for the next quarter or more?
Can't wait until August is over to see what the next rotation of meals is, or are these going to be around for the next quarter or more?
http://pointsmilesandmartinis.boardi...st-class-meal/
I've never been a huge polenta fan, largely because by its very nature it's rather bland, from my experience.