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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#1246
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,606
We were offered linens on PDX-ORD a few weeks back.
#1247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Currently onboard PHL-LAS overflying Hopkins... What a sad sight.
Anyway, I am feasting on the cheese blintzes and I have to concur with the other posters. It is downright terrible and the cheese has more of a slushy sour cream (cottage cheese maybe) taste to it than cream/ricotta cheese or whatever cheese they had intended for it to be.
This entree has to go, not only the taste is off, the quantity is on the low end of the scale. I'll eat it all up as I am starving and there is no other option for me for the next 4+ hours. Definitely leaving this EXP on a $500 one way F fare disappointed in this area.
Anyway, I am feasting on the cheese blintzes and I have to concur with the other posters. It is downright terrible and the cheese has more of a slushy sour cream (cottage cheese maybe) taste to it than cream/ricotta cheese or whatever cheese they had intended for it to be.
This entree has to go, not only the taste is off, the quantity is on the low end of the scale. I'll eat it all up as I am starving and there is no other option for me for the next 4+ hours. Definitely leaving this EXP on a $500 one way F fare disappointed in this area.
#1248
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
I flew about 8 domestic flights in F the last 2 weeks. My general comments...
Overall, aside from the blintzes, the meals were decent for the most part. It probably helped that I only had 3 lunch/dinner flights and two of them were Hawaii long hauls and the rest were breakfast flights. The Macadamia Crusted Chicken was probably the best meal (DFW-OGG) of the lot followed by the Stir Fry Beef (OGG-DFW). My DFW-BWI dinner flight had the Chicken Piccata or Kale/Artichoke Ravioli on offer. I went with the Ravioli, while it was doused in Gouda cheese, I happen to like Gouda cheese a lot so I didn't mind, but I can see how it can be too much for some customers.
Aside from the blintzes, my only gripe is they need to offer more variety in breakfast options. All domestic breakfast flights except one had the Cheddar Cheese Omelette or Steel Cut Oatmeal option. Where is the French Toast? Quiche? I did not fly one single identical route. I got tired of it and skipped breakfast on one flight.
About three-quarters of my flights had the black linen. No issues with missing warmed nuts, as a matter of fact I had more than one serving on some flights. No open bar PDBs. The Hawaii flights offered sparkling wine along with water and OJ.
Overall, aside from the blintzes, the meals were decent for the most part. It probably helped that I only had 3 lunch/dinner flights and two of them were Hawaii long hauls and the rest were breakfast flights. The Macadamia Crusted Chicken was probably the best meal (DFW-OGG) of the lot followed by the Stir Fry Beef (OGG-DFW). My DFW-BWI dinner flight had the Chicken Piccata or Kale/Artichoke Ravioli on offer. I went with the Ravioli, while it was doused in Gouda cheese, I happen to like Gouda cheese a lot so I didn't mind, but I can see how it can be too much for some customers.
Aside from the blintzes, my only gripe is they need to offer more variety in breakfast options. All domestic breakfast flights except one had the Cheddar Cheese Omelette or Steel Cut Oatmeal option. Where is the French Toast? Quiche? I did not fly one single identical route. I got tired of it and skipped breakfast on one flight.
About three-quarters of my flights had the black linen. No issues with missing warmed nuts, as a matter of fact I had more than one serving on some flights. No open bar PDBs. The Hawaii flights offered sparkling wine along with water and OJ.
#1249
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
...Aside from the blintzes, my only gripe is they need to offer more variety in breakfast options. All domestic breakfast flights except one had the Cheddar Cheese Omelette or Steel Cut Oatmeal option. Where is the French Toast? Quiche? I did not fly one single identical route. I got tired of it and skipped breakfast on one flight.
#1251
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
#1253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Definitely a delicious-looking meal with a nice presentation. #tbt #throwbackthursday
Unfortunately, I have lots of AA flights before 8/1.
#1256
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
#1257
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
I flew about 8 domestic flights in F the last 2 weeks. My general comments...
Overall, aside from the blintzes, the meals were decent for the most part. It probably helped that I only had 3 lunch/dinner flights and two of them were Hawaii long hauls and the rest were breakfast flights. The Macadamia Crusted Chicken was probably the best meal (DFW-OGG) of the lot followed by the Stir Fry Beef (OGG-DFW). My DFW-BWI dinner flight had the Chicken Piccata or Kale/Artichoke Ravioli on offer. I went with the Ravioli, while it was doused in Gouda cheese, I happen to like Gouda cheese a lot so I didn't mind, but I can see how it can be too much for some customers.
Aside from the blintzes, my only gripe is they need to offer more variety in breakfast options. All domestic breakfast flights except one had the Cheddar Cheese Omelette or Steel Cut Oatmeal option. Where is the French Toast? Quiche? I did not fly one single identical route. I got tired of it and skipped breakfast on one flight.
About three-quarters of my flights had the black linen. No issues with missing warmed nuts, as a matter of fact I had more than one serving on some flights. No open bar PDBs. The Hawaii flights offered sparkling wine along with water and OJ.
Overall, aside from the blintzes, the meals were decent for the most part. It probably helped that I only had 3 lunch/dinner flights and two of them were Hawaii long hauls and the rest were breakfast flights. The Macadamia Crusted Chicken was probably the best meal (DFW-OGG) of the lot followed by the Stir Fry Beef (OGG-DFW). My DFW-BWI dinner flight had the Chicken Piccata or Kale/Artichoke Ravioli on offer. I went with the Ravioli, while it was doused in Gouda cheese, I happen to like Gouda cheese a lot so I didn't mind, but I can see how it can be too much for some customers.
Aside from the blintzes, my only gripe is they need to offer more variety in breakfast options. All domestic breakfast flights except one had the Cheddar Cheese Omelette or Steel Cut Oatmeal option. Where is the French Toast? Quiche? I did not fly one single identical route. I got tired of it and skipped breakfast on one flight.
About three-quarters of my flights had the black linen. No issues with missing warmed nuts, as a matter of fact I had more than one serving on some flights. No open bar PDBs. The Hawaii flights offered sparkling wine along with water and OJ.
#1259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
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#1260
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SAN
Programs: AA-EXP; US-Silver; Marriott-Platinum; Starwood-Platinum; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,260