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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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 4, 2015, 9:45 am
#646
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA ExecPlat;UA Gold;DL Gold;Hyatt Diamond;Hilton Diamond;Marriott Gold;Hertz PC;Natl ExecElite
Posts: 80
Linens, etc.
Excited to read about the changes that are coming.
I had the navy linen put down on the tray table on DFW-SEA this week. I'd still love a linen to be on the tray, too, but it's a big improvement. Unfortunately, the entree was still the same (so tired of teriyaki beef!, though I must say this one was, at least, less sloppy--i.e., the beef, vegetables, etc. were not all run together). Let's hope 5.1 sees the introduction of tastier entrees and more variety. I did have EXCELLENT service--constant refills, etc.
Yesterday I flew SEA-ORD in the morning. No table linen. Decent breakfast.
P.S. From a flight a couple of weeks ago: BEWARE at breakfast if the FA says "pancakes" are an option. I thought "oh, a new entree!" and ordered them. They were not pancakes--they were those awful blintzes stuffed with white creamy cheese and then topped with an apricot compote. Disgusting--a totally weird texture and so sweet they were inedible.
Fingers crossed for 5.1!
I had the navy linen put down on the tray table on DFW-SEA this week. I'd still love a linen to be on the tray, too, but it's a big improvement. Unfortunately, the entree was still the same (so tired of teriyaki beef!, though I must say this one was, at least, less sloppy--i.e., the beef, vegetables, etc. were not all run together). Let's hope 5.1 sees the introduction of tastier entrees and more variety. I did have EXCELLENT service--constant refills, etc.
Yesterday I flew SEA-ORD in the morning. No table linen. Decent breakfast.
P.S. From a flight a couple of weeks ago: BEWARE at breakfast if the FA says "pancakes" are an option. I thought "oh, a new entree!" and ordered them. They were not pancakes--they were those awful blintzes stuffed with white creamy cheese and then topped with an apricot compote. Disgusting--a totally weird texture and so sweet they were inedible.
Fingers crossed for 5.1!
Apr 4, 2015, 3:02 pm
#647
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
Wait, what? Are you saying that the returned linens are actually not being laid on the tray itself? That the paper placemat and tray still are visible? That doesn't make sense. That would defeat the purpose of bringing back tray linens.
Couldn't it be some kind of miscatering/error/miscommunication? I mean, 4/1 just rolled by, so it's possible it's not fully straightened out yet. There still are some reports of tray linens missing on flights post-4/1.
Couldn't it be some kind of miscatering/error/miscommunication? I mean, 4/1 just rolled by, so it's possible it's not fully straightened out yet. There still are some reports of tray linens missing on flights post-4/1.
Apr 4, 2015, 3:37 pm
#648
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC LAX RDU
Programs: US-Plt;Concierge key; American AAirpass; Delta Silver;Starwood - Platinum; Amex Cent
Posts: 711
Apr 4, 2015, 3:47 pm
#649
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
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Posts: 7,344
Wait, what? Are you saying that the returned linens are actually not being laid on the tray itself? That the paper placemat and tray still are visible? That doesn't make sense. That would defeat the purpose of bringing back tray linens.
Couldn't it be some kind of miscatering/error/miscommunication? I mean, 4/1 just rolled by, so it's possible it's not fully straightened out yet. There still are some reports of tray linens missing on flights post-4/1.
Couldn't it be some kind of miscatering/error/miscommunication? I mean, 4/1 just rolled by, so it's possible it's not fully straightened out yet. There still are some reports of tray linens missing on flights post-4/1.
Apr 4, 2015, 4:33 pm
#650
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
Also, could this just be some kind of sporadic error? Based on the fact that some reports are still saying no tray linens post-4/1. Or, some kind of communication gap between AA and catering which can be easily resolved (no specific instructions to catering to place linens on the trays first before sending them to the planes)?
Apr 4, 2015, 4:34 pm
#651
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA ExecPlat;UA Gold;DL Gold;Hyatt Diamond;Hilton Diamond;Marriott Gold;Hertz PC;Natl ExecElite
Posts: 80
Wait, what? Are you saying that the returned linens are actually not being laid on the tray itself? That the paper placemat and tray still are visible? That doesn't make sense. That would defeat the purpose of bringing back tray linens.
Couldn't it be some kind of miscatering/error/miscommunication? I mean, 4/1 just rolled by, so it's possible it's not fully straightened out yet. There still are some reports of tray linens missing on flights post-4/1.
Couldn't it be some kind of miscatering/error/miscommunication? I mean, 4/1 just rolled by, so it's possible it's not fully straightened out yet. There still are some reports of tray linens missing on flights post-4/1.
While I'd like to have linen on the tray itself, this practice isn't that unusual--Delta puts down a placemat on the table and then a tray (albeit a more stylish one than gray plastic) on top of that. In premium economy, Qantas puts down a white linen on the tray table and a gray tray on top of that.
Apr 4, 2015, 4:42 pm
#652
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
That's what I am saying--they put a blue linen on the tray table and set the plastic tray with liner on top of that linen.
While I'd like to have linen on the tray itself, this practice isn't that unusual--Delta puts down a placemat on the table and then a tray (albeit a more stylish one than gray plastic) on top of that. In premium economy, Qantas puts down a white linen on the tray table and a gray tray on top of that.
While I'd like to have linen on the tray itself, this practice isn't that unusual--Delta puts down a placemat on the table and then a tray (albeit a more stylish one than gray plastic) on top of that. In premium economy, Qantas puts down a white linen on the tray table and a gray tray on top of that.
I'm still waiting for more reports; hoping this is just some kind of scattered "Day 1" glitch/error and not actually what AA intended. It could also possibly be some kind of stopgap measure until catering can change their procedures to place the tray linen on the trays themselves. I can't see any cost differences between having the linen be placed on the table vs. tray; most people would prefer the tray, as it looks nicer.
Apr 4, 2015, 4:53 pm
#653
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
As a datapoint, when HP used to serve F meals with linens, the linen was placed directly on the table with the tray then placed on top (this is circa 2002). That's probably why this has become the new procedure. It's what the HP guys are used to do.
Apr 4, 2015, 5:23 pm
#654
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
No linens today on either LGA-DFW or DFW-SEA.
Apr 4, 2015, 5:26 pm
#655
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 584
Over at United, PMUA used to use cloth linens to cover the table, and paper tray liners. Most of legacy UA's old guard were outraged when they switched to covering the tray and leaving the disgusting table exposed.
To each his own... I'd personally rather have all surfaces covered as they're doing now, and especially cover the gross tray table with linen, but I definitely admit the paper tray liner is tacky. Ideally they'd cover the table and the tray as most airlines did through the 90's, but that's just overkill these days.
Apr 4, 2015, 5:59 pm
#656
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
We still need confirmation of the linens not covering the tray being the new procedure indeed, or if this is just sporadic errors/glitches.
Apr 4, 2015, 11:23 pm
#657
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
US PHL-DFW, 4/4
The narrow black linen doesn't cover the whole A320 table, and the previous tray and liner are placed atop. This route is cursed with the chicken piccatta/artichoke ravioli (pictured) this month.
Sorry for the terrible quality photo:
upload a picture
The narrow black linen doesn't cover the whole A320 table, and the previous tray and liner are placed atop. This route is cursed with the chicken piccatta/artichoke ravioli (pictured) this month.
Sorry for the terrible quality photo:
upload a picture
Apr 4, 2015, 11:30 pm
#658
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
Here's an example of a HP meal service with the tray itself covered by the linen: link. Ironic note: the HP plates actually looks exactly like pmAA's plates (only the pmAA plate had the Flagship logo and navy blue trim vs. HP's logo and teal trim). Anyone else notice that?
pmAA did have both the table and tray covered by linens on longer "Basic Plus" midcons and transcons. It wasn't always consistent, but it was supposed to be the procedure, pre-9/1.
We still need confirmation of the linens not covering the tray being the new procedure indeed, or if this is just sporadic errors/glitches.
pmAA did have both the table and tray covered by linens on longer "Basic Plus" midcons and transcons. It wasn't always consistent, but it was supposed to be the procedure, pre-9/1.
We still need confirmation of the linens not covering the tray being the new procedure indeed, or if this is just sporadic errors/glitches.
Don't get me wrong, while I really do agree with you regarding the tray versus the table, unfortunately I don't think the jury is still out on this one.... I asked a FA and she said they get them in a big pack (like DL and PMUA), and they would go around to each seat and place it on the tray table prior to starting service.
I thought even the original announcement said that the FA is to lay the linen onto the tray table, or something to that effect.
Apr 4, 2015, 11:31 pm
#659
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
US PHL-DFW, 4/4
The narrow black linen doesn't cover the whole A320 table, and the previous tray and liner are placed atop. This route is cursed with the chicken piccatta/artichoke ravioli (pictured) this month.
Sorry for the terrible quality photo:
upload a picture
The narrow black linen doesn't cover the whole A320 table, and the previous tray and liner are placed atop. This route is cursed with the chicken piccatta/artichoke ravioli (pictured) this month.
Sorry for the terrible quality photo:
upload a picture
Apr 5, 2015, 12:21 am
#660
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
Because the table tops aren't quite sanitary, as they maybe get wiped down after several flights. The trays, on the other hand are washed at the catering station when they are returned with the used service carts. I'd much rather have the table cloth linen for the tray table and the paper covering for the tray, if they're not going to provide both linen items.