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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Apr 2, 2015, 4:58 pm
#616
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
Was there a sale on pita bread or something? These new plated snacks don't sound like they're up to the standard that the old ones were. These sound pretty minimal. The old snacks were typically entree salads and sandwiches/wraps. The examples stated sound more like the apps on mid/transcon flights. Plus I don't get US's obsession with pita and hummus. The stuff just isn't good onboard, I wish they'd ditch it.
Apr 2, 2015, 5:08 pm
#617
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Programs: SPG PLT, AA EXP
Posts: 3,732
They are listening, and better than listening, they're actually making positive changes, which is more than I'm sure most of you were expecting.
Apr 2, 2015, 5:20 pm
#618
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
Complaining about what constitutes exclusive info, umpteen posts about a general annoyance with beige tray linen, and now complaints about the new food you haven't even seen yet? Oy vey. You folks must be a hit at parties.
They are listening, and better than listening, they're actually making positive changes, which is more than I'm sure most of you were expecting.
They are listening, and better than listening, they're actually making positive changes, which is more than I'm sure most of you were expecting.
So yes, they're making positive changes from the rock bottom they hit on 9/1, however none of it really comes as an improvement relative to what I expect to see on board.
Apr 2, 2015, 6:22 pm
#619
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 709
I disagree. They're making minuscule and negligible changes to shut people up and marketing it like it's some major improvement. A dish of hummus and ice cold pita bread isn't really an upgrade to me, as it's still a downgrade from what was originally offered such as a plated chicken wrap with couscous salad, chopped salad with steak, etc.
So yes, they're making positive changes from the rock bottom they hit on 9/1, however none of it really comes as an improvement relative to what I expect to see on board.
So yes, they're making positive changes from the rock bottom they hit on 9/1, however none of it really comes as an improvement relative to what I expect to see on board.
Apr 2, 2015, 6:26 pm
#620
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
All those e-mails paid off. They're re-investing in the food to improve it back close to the pre-9/1 standards.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....tarting-may-1/
Entree Salads are returning along with proper plated snacks. The light bite shrink-wrapped sandwiches will be dying a merciful death.
May 1st is just the start. More coming.
Hallelujah.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....tarting-may-1/
Entree Salads are returning along with proper plated snacks. The light bite shrink-wrapped sandwiches will be dying a merciful death.
May 1st is just the start. More coming.
Hallelujah.
http://www.travelingbetter.com/showp...2&postcount=29
SO incredibly pleased to find out it's true!!
Finally!
Apr 2, 2015, 6:31 pm
#621
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,158
Haha, wow. AA can't win. I mean, I see both sides here, but honestly, let's review all the positive changes that has occurred since 9/1.
Yes, maybe all of those improvements doesn't exactly add up to an entirely pmAA-level experience, but it's really coming close. It was also made explicitly clear that more improvements were heading down the pike.
People complained bitterly about the snack basket/Lite Bites service; now that AA is offering a full snack service, people still are complaining.
I can honestly say that I can see both sides here, but let's give AA a teeeny bit credit where credit is due. At least they're trying. Doug could've dug his heels and refused to institute any major changes/improvements, but we are seeing plenty of improvements here, especially in a relatively short span. Let's try and look at this with a positive perspective.
- Return of sundaes on 2200+ mile flights (addition on US flights)
- Tray linens reintroduced systemwide
- Return of the pmAA snack service
- Lunch salads returning
- Parmesan cheese returning on pasta entrees
- Reduction of the 1000 mile threshold to 900 miles
- Improved cookies
Yes, maybe all of those improvements doesn't exactly add up to an entirely pmAA-level experience, but it's really coming close. It was also made explicitly clear that more improvements were heading down the pike.
People complained bitterly about the snack basket/Lite Bites service; now that AA is offering a full snack service, people still are complaining.
I can honestly say that I can see both sides here, but let's give AA a teeeny bit credit where credit is due. At least they're trying. Doug could've dug his heels and refused to institute any major changes/improvements, but we are seeing plenty of improvements here, especially in a relatively short span. Let's try and look at this with a positive perspective.
Apr 2, 2015, 6:35 pm
#622
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
For some people here, that's obviously just not possible.
This is HUGE NEWS.
I had it a week ago but was afraid to post it on travelingbetter (or here)-- even as a unconfirmed rumor-- as I simply didn't believe they'd come this far-- the info sounded too incredible to me.
This is HUGE NEWS.
I had it a week ago but was afraid to post it on travelingbetter (or here)-- even as a unconfirmed rumor-- as I simply didn't believe they'd come this far-- the info sounded too incredible to me.
Apr 2, 2015, 6:38 pm
#623
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
It's my understanding that the "snack" service will include wraps, etc., not just pita and hummus. I could be wrong. And if so this will be an even better meal window than pre-9/1, because back then 2-2h29m were limited to meal windows.
Apr 2, 2015, 6:43 pm
#624
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
This is great/positive news. I'm still insulted that they thought in the first place that AAs premium customers would tolerate their cheapskate downgrades. Waiting to see these linens appear on my flight back to NYC tonight.
Apr 2, 2015, 6:51 pm
#625
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,158
Apr 2, 2015, 7:46 pm
#626
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
That plated chicken wrap you speak of was terrible. I remember the first time I flew AA F about a year ago, and was sorely disappointed in that offering. I honestly remember thinking at the time that I would've preferred the US snack basket to it. The bigger issue was my productivity; on a two hour flight, I'm trying to get as much work done as possible - I don't need my tray out for 45 minutes of the flight. Give me a fig bar and a banana and my laptop out for the full two hours any day over that little wrap on a plate. I just don't need an attempt at real food on a short flight - way overrated.
Apr 2, 2015, 7:54 pm
#627
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
No more foil ramekins!!!
Great news... the sauce for my meal tonight was served in what looks like a tiny coffee mug, with a handle. Ceramic with AA branding on the bottom. Much classier than the aluminum foil ramekins we used to have!
Apr 2, 2015, 8:01 pm
#628
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
This is good news. Those things were hideous and had no place on the tray. Was this a domestic or intercontinental flight?
Apr 2, 2015, 8:02 pm
#629
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,158
Apr 2, 2015, 8:26 pm
#630
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOS, Latin America
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 712
This is fantastic news. Those who want to complain about linen colors and couscous -- go ahead -- I'm just happy that AA is moving in the right direction and improving their product.
