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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
May 3, 2015, 7:07 pm
#811
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
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May 3, 2015, 7:14 pm
#812
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
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May 3, 2015, 7:51 pm
#813
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May 4, 2015, 1:57 am
#814
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May 4, 2015, 9:00 am
#816
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Call it what you like, however after 8 months of suffering through options like the chicken piccata/artichoke ravioli I find it silly that some people keep saying huge improvements are coming when yet again I find myself having to select between those two horrible options on two flights writhing 4 days of each other on the same route in opposite directions. AA can put as much lipstick as it likes on the pig of a product which it offers but that is not going to make it acceptable. Until fundamental changes are made in the inflight service department and management we will continue to see 'improvements' such as garnishing the Chef Boyardee pasta with 'freshly grated' Kraft Parmesan touted by mAArketing and mAAnagement as a major improvement to the meal service. Going for great indeed, as always.
May 4, 2015, 9:06 am
#817
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May 4, 2015, 9:10 am
#818
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Call it what you like, however after 8 months of suffering through options like the chicken piccata/artichoke ravioli I find it silly that some people keep saying huge improvements are coming when yet again I find myself having to select between those two horrible options on two flights writhing 4 days of each other on the same route in opposite directions. AA can put as much lipstick as it likes on the pig of a product which it offers but that is not going to make it acceptable. Until fundamental changes are made in the inflight service department and management we will continue to see 'improvements' such as garnishing the Chef Boyardee pasta with 'freshly grated' Kraft Parmesan touted by mAArketing and mAAnagement as a major improvement to the meal service. Going for great indeed, as always.
Many of us are already responding to the pathetic meals with our wallets.
With US Airways in charge, do you really expect the meals to go back to the same quality as when AA was in charge? Sure, pigs can fly, too.
We come in here once in a while looking through the same pathetic pictures and meal descriptions hoping, just hoping, that by some miracle, USdbaAA has finally learned its lesson and that maybe we will start booking AA tickets again.
Nah, never going to happen.
Trust me, it doesn't take any energy or emotion or time for me to type the word pathetic and post here. Two seconds well spent while drinking my morning coffee
May 4, 2015, 9:24 am
#819
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No need to respond to the apologists
Many of us are already responding to the pathetic meals with our wallets.
With US Airways in charge, do you really expect the meals to go back to the same quality as when AA was in charge? Sure, pigs can fly, too.
We come in here once in a while looking through the same pathetic pictures and meal descriptions hoping, just hoping, that by some miracle, USdbaAA has finally learned its lesson and that maybe we will start booking AA tickets again.
Nah, never going to happen.
Trust me, it doesn't take any energy or emotion or time for me to type the word pathetic and post here. Two seconds well spent while drinking my morning coffee
Many of us are already responding to the pathetic meals with our wallets.
With US Airways in charge, do you really expect the meals to go back to the same quality as when AA was in charge? Sure, pigs can fly, too.
We come in here once in a while looking through the same pathetic pictures and meal descriptions hoping, just hoping, that by some miracle, USdbaAA has finally learned its lesson and that maybe we will start booking AA tickets again.
Nah, never going to happen.
Trust me, it doesn't take any energy or emotion or time for me to type the word pathetic and post here. Two seconds well spent while drinking my morning coffee
May 4, 2015, 9:45 am
#820
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,204
Has AA always served FreshBrew? I noticed it on the new food link JonNYC posted.
I know it's "loved" over on the United forums...
I know it's "loved" over on the United forums...
May 4, 2015, 10:41 am
#821
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
No need to respond to the apologists
Many of us are already responding to the pathetic meals with our wallets.
With US Airways in charge, do you really expect the meals to go back to the same quality as when AA was in charge? Sure, pigs can fly, too.
We come in here once in a while looking through the same pathetic pictures and meal descriptions hoping, just hoping, that by some miracle, USdbaAA has finally learned its lesson and that maybe we will start booking AA tickets again.
Nah, never going to happen.
Trust me, it doesn't take any energy or emotion or time for me to type the word pathetic and post here. Two seconds well spent while drinking my morning coffee
Many of us are already responding to the pathetic meals with our wallets.
With US Airways in charge, do you really expect the meals to go back to the same quality as when AA was in charge? Sure, pigs can fly, too.
We come in here once in a while looking through the same pathetic pictures and meal descriptions hoping, just hoping, that by some miracle, USdbaAA has finally learned its lesson and that maybe we will start booking AA tickets again.
Nah, never going to happen.
Trust me, it doesn't take any energy or emotion or time for me to type the word pathetic and post here. Two seconds well spent while drinking my morning coffee
AA used to pour something called Java City. I don't really drink coffee though so I couldn't really tell you if one is better than the other. I would guess both are quite bad.
May 4, 2015, 10:44 am
#822
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
Call it what you like, however after 8 months of suffering through options like the chicken piccata/artichoke ravioli I find it silly that some people keep saying huge improvements are coming when yet again I find myself having to select between those two horrible options on two flights writhing 4 days of each other on the same route in opposite directions. AA can put as much lipstick as it likes on the pig of a product which it offers but that is not going to make it acceptable. Until fundamental changes are made in the inflight service department and management we will continue to see 'improvements' such as garnishing the Chef Boyardee pasta with 'freshly grated' Kraft Parmesan touted by mAArketing and mAAnagement as a major improvement to the meal service. Going for great indeed, as always.
May 4, 2015, 10:52 am
#823
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
Honestly, I don't see why the pessimists should get different treatment than the apologists. Wouldn't you have something better to do than call these guys out for being upset and frustrated?
It's a message board. Folks get upset and come here to vent, among other things. It's not completely beyond the pale that someone would still feel upset when they are told meals are going to get better, by folks with insider knowledge, no less, since no comms have come our way from AA. And when they note it's not happened, we tell them "it will" and "stop complaining".
Now, if meaningful changes come to pass, that's another story if folks are still grousing, but right now it's a bit premature to tell folks to stop complaining on the basis of something we still don't see evidence for. If I had to consume chicken piccata on an AA flight I'd be pissed too. And I'm none too impressed with the ignorance and arrogance of AA management. I'm just jaded about the whole thing after having gone through this with United and (for the most part) finding other things to do I suppose. They may not be better
It's a message board. Folks get upset and come here to vent, among other things. It's not completely beyond the pale that someone would still feel upset when they are told meals are going to get better, by folks with insider knowledge, no less, since no comms have come our way from AA. And when they note it's not happened, we tell them "it will" and "stop complaining".
Now, if meaningful changes come to pass, that's another story if folks are still grousing, but right now it's a bit premature to tell folks to stop complaining on the basis of something we still don't see evidence for. If I had to consume chicken piccata on an AA flight I'd be pissed too. And I'm none too impressed with the ignorance and arrogance of AA management. I'm just jaded about the whole thing after having gone through this with United and (for the most part) finding other things to do I suppose. They may not be better
May 4, 2015, 10:53 am
#824
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
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It's intriguing how rapidly they were able to downgrade the entire service system-wide overnight on 9/1 and yet it seems to take many months to bring back simple items like linens, sundaes, ramekins, salads, etc. etc. etc.
May 4, 2015, 11:09 am
#825
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Posts: 27,730
Aside from that, as mentioned above, meals and dining pages were updated over the weekend on AA.com and show some of the new options and improvements and time-bands. And, more to come, for sure. A new chicken dish most immediately.
No apologies here for sharing solid, informative, inside info, as 90% of the members here appreciate it.