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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#1951
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
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AA5804
DFW-GSO
CRJ-900
op. by Maintenance Every Single Aircraft d.b.a. American Eagle
FA came around after departure to offer a ham sandwich or crispy chicken with salad.
Only one sandwich was left, so I selected the salad. Seatmate chose the sandwich and it was just a half (about the same size as the chicken in this pic)
Chicken was a bit tough, though the meal was ok. Not as filling as the options offered 10 days ago.
DFW-GSO
CRJ-900
op. by Maintenance Every Single Aircraft d.b.a. American Eagle
FA came around after departure to offer a ham sandwich or crispy chicken with salad.
Only one sandwich was left, so I selected the salad. Seatmate chose the sandwich and it was just a half (about the same size as the chicken in this pic)
Chicken was a bit tough, though the meal was ok. Not as filling as the options offered 10 days ago.
#1952
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
[B]AA5804
Chicken was a bit tough, though the meal was ok. Not as filling as the options offered 10 days ago.
Chicken was a bit tough, though the meal was ok. Not as filling as the options offered 10 days ago.
I'm surprised there was at least a meal served. On any single given United Express flight the best thing you'll get is a pre-packed snackbox of various things you can buy at the dollar store.
#1953
Suspended
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United Express catering has greatly improved from what you describe
#1954
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
You're on an express regional jet flight, what do you expect? Those planes have extremely limited catering capabilities. I mean has anyone seen the galleys for those planes.
I'm surprised there was at least a meal served. On any single given United Express flight the best thing you'll get is a pre-packed snackbox of various things you can buy at the dollar store.
I'm surprised there was at least a meal served. On any single given United Express flight the best thing you'll get is a pre-packed snackbox of various things you can buy at the dollar store.
#1955
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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#1956
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LAX-JFK next Tuesday. Anyone had this chicken or shrimp entrée?
#1957
Join Date: May 2015
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#1958
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All in all, I was glad to have something, though it was a bit disappointing. Since there are no pre-orders for Mesa flights, I was unsure of the options. Had I known what they were offering, I probably would've stopped for lunch during my layover..
When is the last time you flew UAX? Their RJ meals are actually pretty good. They offer real food now, not the "pre-packed snackbox of various things you can buy at the dollar store" like they used to.
#1959
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
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You're on an express regional jet flight, what do you expect? Those planes have extremely limited catering capabilities. I mean has anyone seen the galleys for those planes.
I'm surprised there was at least a meal served. On any single given United Express flight the best thing you'll get is a pre-packed snackbox of various things you can buy at the dollar store.
I'm surprised there was at least a meal served. On any single given United Express flight the best thing you'll get is a pre-packed snackbox of various things you can buy at the dollar store.
AA: Link
AC: Link
BA: See CityFlyer
In addition, UA does not serve snackboxes on the RJs anymore. They serve an actual plated offering as seen here. Albeit, it's your typical disgusting double-catered, shelf stable offering, but certainly not a snack box.
I don't think the problem is the RJ as clearly it's possible to have decent catering on an RJ, the problem is Mesa. That mess is the most disappointing excuse for an airline in existence.
#1962
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
Yes, I know I was on a "regional" flight, yet the flight I mentioned in my post from 10 days ago was also operated with an RJ. It had a larger meal.
All in all, I was glad to have something, though it was a bit disappointing. Since there are no pre-orders for Mesa flights, I was unsure of the options. Had I known what they were offering, I probably would've stopped for lunch during my layover..
When is the last time you flew UAX? Their RJ meals are actually pretty good. They offer real food now, not the "pre-packed snackbox of various things you can buy at the dollar store" like they used to.
All in all, I was glad to have something, though it was a bit disappointing. Since there are no pre-orders for Mesa flights, I was unsure of the options. Had I known what they were offering, I probably would've stopped for lunch during my layover..
When is the last time you flew UAX? Their RJ meals are actually pretty good. They offer real food now, not the "pre-packed snackbox of various things you can buy at the dollar store" like they used to.
It's actually not a Mesa issue, it's an equipment issue. All flights on the CR9, whether operated by Mesa or PSA, have these tiny trays and very limited meal service. The E170s/175s have a larger galley so get a full sized (albeit cold) meal service.
I actually think we have UA to thank for the meals we are currently seeing on Eagle. This management team had planned to go the snack box route, but soon reversed the decision after they saw UA introduce meals on Express.
#1963
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It's actually not a Mesa issue, it's an equipment issue. All flights on the CR9, whether operated by Mesa or PSA, have these tiny trays and very limited meal service. The E170s/175s have a larger galley so get a full sized (albeit cold) meal service.
I actually think we have UA to thank for the meals we are currently seeing on Eagle. This management team had planned to go the snack box route, but soon reversed the decision after they saw UA introduce meals on Express.
I actually think we have UA to thank for the meals we are currently seeing on Eagle. This management team had planned to go the snack box route, but soon reversed the decision after they saw UA introduce meals on Express.
To be fair if that's the case all the CR9 equipment came from US to my knowledge. Even the original Eagle CR7s seem to have the ability to offer a normal serving tray and Eagle product.
#1964
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
And good point - I wonder how the Eagle CR7 setup is so different that they're able to accommodate a normal size tray and meal service versus the CR9s. There are some new build ones that are currently being delivered to PSA and I think SkyWest, correct?
#1965
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
JFK - LAX Dinner Business Class
Hello - I am flying JFK - LAX Business Class upcoming in Sep and have the following options:
Creamy Truffled Mac and Cheese - w/ Asparagus
Cumin Rubbed Pan Roasted Chicken - w/ Zinfandel Grape Sauce and Polenta
Grilled Halibut - w/ Quinoa Succotash and Tomato Fennel Sauce
Any suggestions from anyone that has had or seen these entrees?
Thank you -
Creamy Truffled Mac and Cheese - w/ Asparagus
Cumin Rubbed Pan Roasted Chicken - w/ Zinfandel Grape Sauce and Polenta
Grilled Halibut - w/ Quinoa Succotash and Tomato Fennel Sauce
Any suggestions from anyone that has had or seen these entrees?
Thank you -