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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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 30, 2015, 2:20 pm
#1171
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
Jun 30, 2015, 3:47 pm
#1172
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
LAX-OGG
B752
Breakfast
Very apathetic crew and overall disappointing service on this flight.
I was pleased to find Hawaiian music and scenery on the IFE during boarding. Trans-con pillows and blankets were at my seat upon boarding, as well as a bottle of Dasani water in the seat! ^
PDB of water or OJ in champagne glasses, but no champagne
Once in the air, tray service. Choices were steel-cut oatmeal or the quiche...same as you'd get between ORD and DEN, for example. Pathetic. I was lucky enough to get the quiche, but passengers in front of me were stuck with the oatmeal. Several audibly complained about being stuck with that choice.
Service began with drink of choice and hot towel. On the tray was a fruit plate consisting of red grapes, a slice of canteloupe, pineapple, and kiwi. Biscuits or bread served from the basket with jam if so desired. Butter packet on tray. Quiche was served with potatoes, but no protein (which I like).
Drink re-fills were nonexistent after the tray service.
A passing of the snack basket and warm nuts served with a drink choice prior to landing. A saw fruit and cheese plated snacks in the galley, but those were never offered.
Overall, a very sad offering.
B752
Breakfast
Very apathetic crew and overall disappointing service on this flight.
I was pleased to find Hawaiian music and scenery on the IFE during boarding. Trans-con pillows and blankets were at my seat upon boarding, as well as a bottle of Dasani water in the seat! ^
PDB of water or OJ in champagne glasses, but no champagne
Once in the air, tray service. Choices were steel-cut oatmeal or the quiche...same as you'd get between ORD and DEN, for example. Pathetic. I was lucky enough to get the quiche, but passengers in front of me were stuck with the oatmeal. Several audibly complained about being stuck with that choice.
Service began with drink of choice and hot towel. On the tray was a fruit plate consisting of red grapes, a slice of canteloupe, pineapple, and kiwi. Biscuits or bread served from the basket with jam if so desired. Butter packet on tray. Quiche was served with potatoes, but no protein (which I like).
Drink re-fills were nonexistent after the tray service.
A passing of the snack basket and warm nuts served with a drink choice prior to landing. A saw fruit and cheese plated snacks in the galley, but those were never offered.
Overall, a very sad offering.
Jun 30, 2015, 5:03 pm
#1173
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
LAX-OGG
B752
Breakfast
Very apathetic crew and overall disappointing service on this flight.
I was pleased to find Hawaiian music and scenery on the IFE during boarding. Trans-con pillows and blankets were at my seat upon boarding, as well as a bottle of Dasani water in the seat! ^
PDB of water or OJ in champagne glasses, but no champagne
Once in the air, tray service. Choices were steel-cut oatmeal or the quiche...same as you'd get between ORD and DEN, for example. Pathetic. I was lucky enough to get the quiche, but passengers in front of me were stuck with the oatmeal. Several audibly complained about being stuck with that choice.
Service began with drink of choice and hot towel. On the tray was a fruit plate consisting of red grapes, a slice of canteloupe, pineapple, and kiwi. Biscuits or bread served from the basket with jam if so desired. Butter packet on tray. Quiche was served with potatoes, but no protein (which I like).
Drink re-fills were nonexistent after the tray service.
A passing of the snack basket and warm nuts served with a drink choice prior to landing. A saw fruit and cheese plated snacks in the galley, but those were never offered.
Overall, a very sad offering.
B752
Breakfast
Very apathetic crew and overall disappointing service on this flight.
I was pleased to find Hawaiian music and scenery on the IFE during boarding. Trans-con pillows and blankets were at my seat upon boarding, as well as a bottle of Dasani water in the seat! ^
PDB of water or OJ in champagne glasses, but no champagne
Once in the air, tray service. Choices were steel-cut oatmeal or the quiche...same as you'd get between ORD and DEN, for example. Pathetic. I was lucky enough to get the quiche, but passengers in front of me were stuck with the oatmeal. Several audibly complained about being stuck with that choice.
Service began with drink of choice and hot towel. On the tray was a fruit plate consisting of red grapes, a slice of canteloupe, pineapple, and kiwi. Biscuits or bread served from the basket with jam if so desired. Butter packet on tray. Quiche was served with potatoes, but no protein (which I like).
Drink re-fills were nonexistent after the tray service.
A passing of the snack basket and warm nuts served with a drink choice prior to landing. A saw fruit and cheese plated snacks in the galley, but those were never offered.
Overall, a very sad offering.
Jun 30, 2015, 10:48 pm
#1174
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
LAX-OGG
B752
Breakfast
Very apathetic crew and overall disappointing service on this flight.
I was pleased to find Hawaiian music and scenery on the IFE during boarding. Trans-con pillows and blankets were at my seat upon boarding, as well as a bottle of Dasani water in the seat! ^
PDB of water or OJ in champagne glasses, but no champagne
Once in the air, tray service. Choices were steel-cut oatmeal or the quiche...same as you'd get between ORD and DEN, for example. Pathetic. I was lucky enough to get the quiche, but passengers in front of me were stuck with the oatmeal. Several audibly complained about being stuck with that choice.
Service began with drink of choice and hot towel. On the tray was a fruit plate consisting of red grapes, a slice of canteloupe, pineapple, and kiwi. Biscuits or bread served from the basket with jam if so desired. Butter packet on tray. Quiche was served with potatoes, but no protein (which I like).
Drink re-fills were nonexistent after the tray service.
A passing of the snack basket and warm nuts served with a drink choice prior to landing. A saw fruit and cheese plated snacks in the galley, but those were never offered.
Overall, a very sad offering.
B752
Breakfast
Very apathetic crew and overall disappointing service on this flight.
I was pleased to find Hawaiian music and scenery on the IFE during boarding. Trans-con pillows and blankets were at my seat upon boarding, as well as a bottle of Dasani water in the seat! ^
PDB of water or OJ in champagne glasses, but no champagne
Once in the air, tray service. Choices were steel-cut oatmeal or the quiche...same as you'd get between ORD and DEN, for example. Pathetic. I was lucky enough to get the quiche, but passengers in front of me were stuck with the oatmeal. Several audibly complained about being stuck with that choice.
Service began with drink of choice and hot towel. On the tray was a fruit plate consisting of red grapes, a slice of canteloupe, pineapple, and kiwi. Biscuits or bread served from the basket with jam if so desired. Butter packet on tray. Quiche was served with potatoes, but no protein (which I like).
Drink re-fills were nonexistent after the tray service.
A passing of the snack basket and warm nuts served with a drink choice prior to landing. A saw fruit and cheese plated snacks in the galley, but those were never offered.
Overall, a very sad offering.
Jun 30, 2015, 11:09 pm
#1175
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
Absolutely pathetic and completely consistent with my experiences with PMAA crews. To have observed that the pre-arrival small plates were catered (which often are not) but not served to passengers is downright lazy. I can't wait for all of the FAs, especially the AA ones, to go through the planned training courses that were announced with the coming food enhancements and learn a few things about professionalism, consistency, and service execution. Not a lot is really asked of them. The established service standard on a flight of this length should be easy enough to execute.
Jul 1, 2015, 12:03 am
#1176
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
Wow very pathetic service for what would be for many the start to a great vacation. HFS (does that term still exist?) should always get at least champagne pre-departure. I've had F & J crews on JFK-LAX/SFO try to only pass out water/OJ in those plastic champagne glasses too which is lazy. I always reply: "No champagne today?" and sure enough it appears and everyone else in the cabin starts taking the champagne too.
For flights where the FAs fail to offer additional beverage service, thoughts on using the call button? I typically do, but have never gotten a sense as to the propriety of doing so.
Jul 1, 2015, 12:38 am
#1177
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
Passengers around me did use the call button. I was too shy to do so, realizing that I was on AA, where the call button is "for emergencies only," not CX.
Jul 1, 2015, 3:49 am
#1178
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SEL by way of ATL
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, DL, KE Skypass
Posts: 43
Hit the 30-day mark for my ICN-DFW flight in F, and this is what's up so far:
Bibimbap
Grilled Beef Filet w/mushroom sauce, potatoes and asparagus
Soy Braised Chicken w/ sweet potato noodle, bok choy and rice
Seafood Wanja which is essentially a seafood meatball with fried rice, mushrooms and broccoli
No "pasta" dish (unless you count the sweet potato noodles), but I love bibimbap so I'm cool with that.
Bibimbap
Grilled Beef Filet w/mushroom sauce, potatoes and asparagus
Soy Braised Chicken w/ sweet potato noodle, bok choy and rice
Seafood Wanja which is essentially a seafood meatball with fried rice, mushrooms and broccoli
No "pasta" dish (unless you count the sweet potato noodles), but I love bibimbap so I'm cool with that.
Jul 1, 2015, 7:08 am
#1179
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
Hit the 30-day mark for my ICN-DFW flight in F, and this is what's up so far:
Bibimbap
Grilled Beef Filet w/mushroom sauce, potatoes and asparagus
Soy Braised Chicken w/ sweet potato noodle, bok choy and rice
Seafood Wanja which is essentially a seafood meatball with fried rice, mushrooms and broccoli
No "pasta" dish (unless you count the sweet potato noodles), but I love bibimbap so I'm cool with that.
Bibimbap
Grilled Beef Filet w/mushroom sauce, potatoes and asparagus
Soy Braised Chicken w/ sweet potato noodle, bok choy and rice
Seafood Wanja which is essentially a seafood meatball with fried rice, mushrooms and broccoli
No "pasta" dish (unless you count the sweet potato noodles), but I love bibimbap so I'm cool with that.
Jul 1, 2015, 10:49 am
#1180
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Gold,Amex Plat & BA, MR Plat, HH Diamond, accor Gold
Posts: 161
This showed up for my flight for next week between JFK-LAX, glad to see the third option has finally appear on our booking.
Choose Your Entrée for this Flight:
Asian Salad and Poblano Asiago Cheese Soup
With optional grilled chicken
Turmeric Paneer
With red tikka curry, jeera rice and roasted two-color caulifower
Wagyu Meatloaf
With roasted garlic mashed potatoes and candied onions
Choose Later
I will make my selection at a later time or during the flight
Also as I'm more of a BA flyer and this in a multi-sector booking with BA, do I need to do anything special after I hit save for meal choices. Thinking of going with the meat loaf!
Choose Your Entrée for this Flight:
Asian Salad and Poblano Asiago Cheese Soup
With optional grilled chicken
Turmeric Paneer
With red tikka curry, jeera rice and roasted two-color caulifower
Wagyu Meatloaf
With roasted garlic mashed potatoes and candied onions
Choose Later
I will make my selection at a later time or during the flight
Also as I'm more of a BA flyer and this in a multi-sector booking with BA, do I need to do anything special after I hit save for meal choices. Thinking of going with the meat loaf!
Jul 1, 2015, 5:19 pm
#1181
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
I agree, and I had a similar experience yesterday. Crew offered a full PDB, I was sitting up front in 1C and watched the FA load the nuts into the oven to begin warming them before takeoff. Service began, and simply left the nuts and never served them. Everything else about the service was pretty much right on par with how it should have been, however the FAs just skipped the nuts. So random and inconsistent.
Jul 1, 2015, 5:24 pm
#1182
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Jul 1, 2015, 6:18 pm
#1183
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
Jul 1, 2015, 6:57 pm
#1184
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Hearing some _very_ nice reports from the first day of the new transcon food. Really, really positive.
Jul 1, 2015, 7:53 pm
#1185
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085