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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#736
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Alexandria, Longboat Key
Programs: UA Gold Marriott Gold AA Gold Choice Gold Wyndham PLAT IHG PLAT Avis President's Club Amtrak Select
Posts: 2,263
Yes, but I'm still seeing artichoke ravioli and chicken piccata again next month. Pasta dishes seem to be staying the same.
#737
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
#738
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
A dinnertime flight in May is showing the following options:
Grilled Beef Filet
With miso cream mustard sauce, twice baked potato and Italian green beans
Cheese Tortelloni
Served with an Arrabiatta Sauce
Looks the same?
Grilled Beef Filet
With miso cream mustard sauce, twice baked potato and Italian green beans
Cheese Tortelloni
Served with an Arrabiatta Sauce
Looks the same?
#739
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
Well, the thing before certainly wasn't a filet. Sounds pretty much like the same dish with the cut and description jazzed up a bit, but we'll see what it looks like in reality.
#740
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
I'm thinking if they're using the term "filet" that it at the minimum implies a sirloin cut. Versus the "thing" we are all familiar with that was clearly pot roast (chuck).
#741
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), HHonors Diamond
Posts: 443
16APR RDU-DFW
Choices were Beef Short Ribs and mashed potatoes or cheese ravioli in marinara sauce. I chose the pasta and it was decent. Served with proper linen, caesar salad and choice of bread.
Despite the hurried boarding and no PDB, the F/A was one of the best I've ever encountered at AA. Not 10 minutes went by when she wasn't walking through the cabin checking on everyone. Senior DFW based crew and they were absolutely fantastic! I wrote in to AA sending the crew some praise.
Choices were Beef Short Ribs and mashed potatoes or cheese ravioli in marinara sauce. I chose the pasta and it was decent. Served with proper linen, caesar salad and choice of bread.
Despite the hurried boarding and no PDB, the F/A was one of the best I've ever encountered at AA. Not 10 minutes went by when she wasn't walking through the cabin checking on everyone. Senior DFW based crew and they were absolutely fantastic! I wrote in to AA sending the crew some praise.
#742
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
Hard to say, but I had this dish on a recent int'l flight and it was truly excellent. I recommend it!
#743
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
If you check my photos of AA meals, you'll see the pretzel bread and chicken sausage from meals this week at the top of the galley. I love the pretzel bread.
http://tom911.smugmug.com/American-A...rier/i-BK4vmVT
http://tom911.smugmug.com/American-A...rier/i-BK4vmVT
#744
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Steel cut oatmeal on Wednesday's 0850 SFO-JFK (still my favorite AA breakfast):
#745
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
If you check my photos of AA meals, you'll see the pretzel bread and chicken sausage from meals this week at the top of the galley. I love the pretzel bread.
http://tom911.smugmug.com/American-A...rier/i-BK4vmVT
http://tom911.smugmug.com/American-A...rier/i-BK4vmVT
I see you have a photo of twice baked potato in your photo gallery. What is it? It doesn't look like a baked potato at all? Baked, mashed then baked again?
#746
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
1) Fresh berries instead of dried
2) Brown sugar in dish instead of plastic cup
3) Carton of milk provided, vs none
I wonder if this is systemwide or just on transcons?
#747
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I see you have a photo of twice baked potato in your photo gallery. What is it? It doesn't look like a baked potato at all? Baked, mashed then baked again?
#748
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Thanks for posting that! It's a big improvement from how the oatmeal was served to me last month, and IMHO restoration to 2013 service levels.
1) Fresh berries instead of dried
2) Brown sugar in dish instead of plastic cup
3) Carton of milk provided, vs none
I wonder if this is systemwide or just on transcons?
1) Fresh berries instead of dried
2) Brown sugar in dish instead of plastic cup
3) Carton of milk provided, vs none
I wonder if this is systemwide or just on transcons?
#749
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Big LOL moment. I'm sitting at home catching up on Restaurant Impossible episodes and Robert Irvine is talking about inexpensive food to the restaurant owners for the revamped menu and the first thing he proposes to the restaurant owners (for a cheap meal they can mark up to consumers) is a pot roast dish haha. He makes a very good looking pot roast dish that is far more generous than AA's "pot roast/beef" and he cites the total hard cost of the meal with veggies and mashed potatoes as......$3. Interesting!
#750
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SAN
Programs: AA-EXP; US-Silver; Marriott-Platinum; Starwood-Platinum; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,260