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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Jun 8, 2015, 8:53 pm
#1051
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
Yeah, even the FA was embarrassed and said she double-checked with operations to make sure that the flight wasn't mis-catered.
Jun 8, 2015, 8:54 pm
#1052
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
Jun 8, 2015, 10:33 pm
#1053
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Jun 9, 2015, 5:28 am
#1054
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
Was this the redeye? If so, that's not new at all. pmAA offered nothing but warmed nuts on their midcon redeyes. Both pmAA and current AA considers PHX-MIA as a longer midcon market.
pmAA meal service had many strengths, but midcon redeyes never were one of them.
pmAA meal service had many strengths, but midcon redeyes never were one of them.
MIA-PHX
pmAA B737-800
Refreshments
Pathetic offering but great service. Ugh.
PDB of water, OJ, or champagne. ^
After takeoff, drink of choice, followed by warmed nuts in ramekin.
All that was offered was a basket of CHIPS -- NOTHING else.
Warmed chocolate chip cookies quickly followed.
FA said she worked this flight last week and more was offered. This week - on my flight - not so much. Pathetic.
She did an awesome job of accommodating requests and offering frequent re-fills. Still, Parker and Adler did a poor job with meeting (not just mine - but my seat opponents, too) expectations on this flight. #goingforgreat?
pmAA B737-800
Refreshments
Pathetic offering but great service. Ugh.
PDB of water, OJ, or champagne. ^
After takeoff, drink of choice, followed by warmed nuts in ramekin.
All that was offered was a basket of CHIPS -- NOTHING else.
Warmed chocolate chip cookies quickly followed.
FA said she worked this flight last week and more was offered. This week - on my flight - not so much. Pathetic.
She did an awesome job of accommodating requests and offering frequent re-fills. Still, Parker and Adler did a poor job with meeting (not just mine - but my seat opponents, too) expectations on this flight. #goingforgreat?
Jun 9, 2015, 8:15 am
#1055
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
The westbound isn't a red eye, it's an 8:05pm departure. MIA-SAN leaves at the exact same time and sees midcon service (now transcon service as well outside of premiums).
Jun 9, 2015, 10:10 am
#1056
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
Still, a bit silly, especially given the fact that MIA-PHX is a bit of an edge case, and should perhaps be given a bit more consideration.
Jun 9, 2015, 10:54 am
#1057
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,629
Couple pictures of the new plated snacks I took the other day since I don't see to many here. I was able to try both the Hummus and the Cheese Plate. Both were good for short flights. Left a lot better than picking out snacks in a basket. Only have a picture of the hummus :/
Jun 9, 2015, 4:23 pm
#1058
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
The same plated snacks were offered on the 1:54 PM MSP-PHL (980 mile) flight last Sunday. Sadly, I missed the upgrade but I hear they're good.
Jun 9, 2015, 4:40 pm
#1059
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Jun 9, 2015, 4:54 pm
#1060
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
Jun 10, 2015, 12:32 pm
#1061
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,203
US851
MCO-PHL
PDB open bar
Choice of fruit and cheese plate or artichoke dip.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2vknaet.jpg
No snack basket on either of my flights to or from MCO.
MCO-PHL
PDB open bar
Choice of fruit and cheese plate or artichoke dip.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2vknaet.jpg
No snack basket on either of my flights to or from MCO.
Last edited by JY1024; Jun 10, 2015 at 3:15 pm Reason: removed img tag of oversized picture
Jun 10, 2015, 1:37 pm
#1062
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,540
Hello, my forthcoming LAX-MIA gives a choice of:
- Lobster risotto with tuile, shaved Brussels sprouts and lemon oil
- Quinoa and barley pilaf with grilled artichokes
I have selected the lobster risotto, is that the right choice? Incidentally, I find a choice between a risotto and a pilaf somewhat bizarre...
- Lobster risotto with tuile, shaved Brussels sprouts and lemon oil
- Quinoa and barley pilaf with grilled artichokes
I have selected the lobster risotto, is that the right choice? Incidentally, I find a choice between a risotto and a pilaf somewhat bizarre...
Jun 10, 2015, 2:03 pm
#1063
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Hello, my forthcoming LAX-MIA gives a choice of:
- Lobster risotto with tuile, shaved Brussels sprouts and lemon oil
- Quinoa and barley pilaf with grilled artichokes
I have selected the lobster risotto, is that the right choice? Incidentally, I find a choice between a risotto and a pilaf somewhat bizarre...
- Lobster risotto with tuile, shaved Brussels sprouts and lemon oil
- Quinoa and barley pilaf with grilled artichokes
I have selected the lobster risotto, is that the right choice? Incidentally, I find a choice between a risotto and a pilaf somewhat bizarre...
Jun 10, 2015, 3:55 pm
#1064
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
For flights under 1,298 miles, no meals between 130pm-4pm. This was changed as part of the May 1st back-tracking to the former AA service.
Post Sept 1, they added meals on all flights over 1,000 miles between 5am and 8pm. Even the 2pm departures got a meal. Now, they added meals back on flights between 900-1000 miles along with plated snacks on meal time flights between 700-900 miles and cut meals for all sub 1300 miles mid-afternoon flights and started to offer those small plated snacks along with warmed nuts instead.
Win some, lose some I guess.
Post Sept 1, they added meals on all flights over 1,000 miles between 5am and 8pm. Even the 2pm departures got a meal. Now, they added meals back on flights between 900-1000 miles along with plated snacks on meal time flights between 700-900 miles and cut meals for all sub 1300 miles mid-afternoon flights and started to offer those small plated snacks along with warmed nuts instead.
Win some, lose some I guess.
Jun 10, 2015, 4:07 pm
#1065
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
For flights under 1,298 miles, no meals between 130pm-4pm. This was changed as part of the May 1st back-tracking to the former AA service.
Post Sept 1, they added meals on all flights over 1,000 miles between 5am and 8pm. Even the 2pm departures got a meal. Now, they added meals back on flights between 900-1000 miles along with plated snacks on meal time flights between 700-900 miles and cut meals for all sub 1300 miles mid-afternoon flights and started to offer those small plated snacks along with warmed nuts instead.
Win some, lose some I guess.
Post Sept 1, they added meals on all flights over 1,000 miles between 5am and 8pm. Even the 2pm departures got a meal. Now, they added meals back on flights between 900-1000 miles along with plated snacks on meal time flights between 700-900 miles and cut meals for all sub 1300 miles mid-afternoon flights and started to offer those small plated snacks along with warmed nuts instead.
Win some, lose some I guess.