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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Jul 12, 2015, 4:34 am
#1276
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,747
Thanks for the replies! I think I'll go with the chicken salad then. Does AA serve bread with the meal?
Jul 12, 2015, 5:18 am
#1277
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
Yes. At least, they're supposed to. Ask for one of the lighter looking breads as the ones that look darker brown tend to actually be very burned without necessarily looking like it. I've had a few cheese rolls over the course of this year that I could have mistaken for stones.
Jul 12, 2015, 6:15 am
#1278
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
Jul 12, 2015, 8:44 am
#1279
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA ExecPlat;UA Gold;DL Gold;Hyatt Diamond;Hilton Diamond;Marriott Gold;Hertz PC;Natl ExecElite
Posts: 80
ORD-DCA
Well, a new low on first class service on AA, last week on ORD-DCA.
Despite a lengthy boarding process followed by wait at the gate for paperwork, no PDB were offered--FAs content to sit and chat in the galley about how excited they were go to home.
Our options were presented as "pasta" or "short rib." (Turns out, "short rib" was the dreaded "teriyaki beef.") Thinking it might be new, when I asked the FA (who took orders pre-departure, including bread preference, which I found odd--but later understood why he'd done) what was served with the beef, he replied with a curt "I don't know" (and, mind you, no offer to look).
Then, in the height of laziness: EVERYTHING--drinks, the nuts, and the meal--was served on one tray, at once. No beverage/nuts service. No passing the bread basket. All one tray, at once. Two FAs worked first and one stayed in the galley throughout the entire meal service.
I decided to call the FA on this, asking him as my tray was delivered, "is there a reason why the drinks and nuts were not served first, as usual?" Flustered, he said "well, uh, uh, it's a short flight" to which I replied "I fly the segment all the time and the service is usually done with the drinks first," to which he replied "uh, uh, captain said it was going to be bumpy"--this followed an announcement almost immediately before the interaction with the FA in which the captain had announced a "smooth flight."
You can imagine the quality of service with refills, etc.--these FAs wanted to sit and chat, period.
Of course, the male FA chose not to wear his name tag. I asked him for his name and was met with this: "I don't feel safe sharing that with you."
I complained to AA on Twitter (with picture of the one-tray meal) and online and got helpful, fast responses with apologies and acknowledgement that this service was below standard.
Still.
Despite a lengthy boarding process followed by wait at the gate for paperwork, no PDB were offered--FAs content to sit and chat in the galley about how excited they were go to home.
Our options were presented as "pasta" or "short rib." (Turns out, "short rib" was the dreaded "teriyaki beef.") Thinking it might be new, when I asked the FA (who took orders pre-departure, including bread preference, which I found odd--but later understood why he'd done) what was served with the beef, he replied with a curt "I don't know" (and, mind you, no offer to look).
Then, in the height of laziness: EVERYTHING--drinks, the nuts, and the meal--was served on one tray, at once. No beverage/nuts service. No passing the bread basket. All one tray, at once. Two FAs worked first and one stayed in the galley throughout the entire meal service.
I decided to call the FA on this, asking him as my tray was delivered, "is there a reason why the drinks and nuts were not served first, as usual?" Flustered, he said "well, uh, uh, it's a short flight" to which I replied "I fly the segment all the time and the service is usually done with the drinks first," to which he replied "uh, uh, captain said it was going to be bumpy"--this followed an announcement almost immediately before the interaction with the FA in which the captain had announced a "smooth flight."
You can imagine the quality of service with refills, etc.--these FAs wanted to sit and chat, period.
Of course, the male FA chose not to wear his name tag. I asked him for his name and was met with this: "I don't feel safe sharing that with you."
I complained to AA on Twitter (with picture of the one-tray meal) and online and got helpful, fast responses with apologies and acknowledgement that this service was below standard.
Still.
Jul 12, 2015, 6:03 pm
#1280
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, a new low on first class service on AA, last week on ORD-DCA.
Despite a lengthy boarding process followed by wait at the gate for paperwork, no PDB were offered--FAs content to sit and chat in the galley about how excited they were go to home.
Our options were presented as "pasta" or "short rib." (Turns out, "short rib" was the dreaded "teriyaki beef.") Thinking it might be new, when I asked the FA (who took orders pre-departure, including bread preference, which I found odd--but later understood why he'd done) what was served with the beef, he replied with a curt "I don't know" (and, mind you, no offer to look).
Then, in the height of laziness: EVERYTHING--drinks, the nuts, and the meal--was served on one tray, at once. No beverage/nuts service. No passing the bread basket. All one tray, at once. Two FAs worked first and one stayed in the galley throughout the entire meal service.
I decided to call the FA on this, asking him as my tray was delivered, "is there a reason why the drinks and nuts were not served first, as usual?" Flustered, he said "well, uh, uh, it's a short flight" to which I replied "I fly the segment all the time and the service is usually done with the drinks first," to which he replied "uh, uh, captain said it was going to be bumpy"--this followed an announcement almost immediately before the interaction with the FA in which the captain had announced a "smooth flight."
You can imagine the quality of service with refills, etc.--these FAs wanted to sit and chat, period.
Of course, the male FA chose not to wear his name tag. I asked him for his name and was met with this: "I don't feel safe sharing that with you."
I complained to AA on Twitter (with picture of the one-tray meal) and online and got helpful, fast responses with apologies and acknowledgement that this service was below standard.
Still.
Despite a lengthy boarding process followed by wait at the gate for paperwork, no PDB were offered--FAs content to sit and chat in the galley about how excited they were go to home.
Our options were presented as "pasta" or "short rib." (Turns out, "short rib" was the dreaded "teriyaki beef.") Thinking it might be new, when I asked the FA (who took orders pre-departure, including bread preference, which I found odd--but later understood why he'd done) what was served with the beef, he replied with a curt "I don't know" (and, mind you, no offer to look).
Then, in the height of laziness: EVERYTHING--drinks, the nuts, and the meal--was served on one tray, at once. No beverage/nuts service. No passing the bread basket. All one tray, at once. Two FAs worked first and one stayed in the galley throughout the entire meal service.
I decided to call the FA on this, asking him as my tray was delivered, "is there a reason why the drinks and nuts were not served first, as usual?" Flustered, he said "well, uh, uh, it's a short flight" to which I replied "I fly the segment all the time and the service is usually done with the drinks first," to which he replied "uh, uh, captain said it was going to be bumpy"--this followed an announcement almost immediately before the interaction with the FA in which the captain had announced a "smooth flight."
You can imagine the quality of service with refills, etc.--these FAs wanted to sit and chat, period.
Of course, the male FA chose not to wear his name tag. I asked him for his name and was met with this: "I don't feel safe sharing that with you."
I complained to AA on Twitter (with picture of the one-tray meal) and online and got helpful, fast responses with apologies and acknowledgement that this service was below standard.
Still.
Jul 12, 2015, 6:15 pm
#1281
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
pAAthetic
Jul 12, 2015, 7:05 pm
#1282
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 12, 2015, 7:06 pm
#1283
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), HHonors Diamond
Posts: 443
Well, a new low on first class service on AA, last week on ORD-DCA.
Despite a lengthy boarding process followed by wait at the gate for paperwork, no PDB were offered--FAs content to sit and chat in the galley about how excited they were go to home.
Our options were presented as "pasta" or "short rib." (Turns out, "short rib" was the dreaded "teriyaki beef.") Thinking it might be new, when I asked the FA (who took orders pre-departure, including bread preference, which I found odd--but later understood why he'd done) what was served with the beef, he replied with a curt "I don't know" (and, mind you, no offer to look).
Then, in the height of laziness: EVERYTHING--drinks, the nuts, and the meal--was served on one tray, at once. No beverage/nuts service. No passing the bread basket. All one tray, at once. Two FAs worked first and one stayed in the galley throughout the entire meal service.
I decided to call the FA on this, asking him as my tray was delivered, "is there a reason why the drinks and nuts were not served first, as usual?" Flustered, he said "well, uh, uh, it's a short flight" to which I replied "I fly the segment all the time and the service is usually done with the drinks first," to which he replied "uh, uh, captain said it was going to be bumpy"--this followed an announcement almost immediately before the interaction with the FA in which the captain had announced a "smooth flight."
You can imagine the quality of service with refills, etc.--these FAs wanted to sit and chat, period.
Of course, the male FA chose not to wear his name tag. I asked him for his name and was met with this: "I don't feel safe sharing that with you."
I complained to AA on Twitter (with picture of the one-tray meal) and online and got helpful, fast responses with apologies and acknowledgement that this service was below standard.
Still.
Despite a lengthy boarding process followed by wait at the gate for paperwork, no PDB were offered--FAs content to sit and chat in the galley about how excited they were go to home.
Our options were presented as "pasta" or "short rib." (Turns out, "short rib" was the dreaded "teriyaki beef.") Thinking it might be new, when I asked the FA (who took orders pre-departure, including bread preference, which I found odd--but later understood why he'd done) what was served with the beef, he replied with a curt "I don't know" (and, mind you, no offer to look).
Then, in the height of laziness: EVERYTHING--drinks, the nuts, and the meal--was served on one tray, at once. No beverage/nuts service. No passing the bread basket. All one tray, at once. Two FAs worked first and one stayed in the galley throughout the entire meal service.
I decided to call the FA on this, asking him as my tray was delivered, "is there a reason why the drinks and nuts were not served first, as usual?" Flustered, he said "well, uh, uh, it's a short flight" to which I replied "I fly the segment all the time and the service is usually done with the drinks first," to which he replied "uh, uh, captain said it was going to be bumpy"--this followed an announcement almost immediately before the interaction with the FA in which the captain had announced a "smooth flight."
You can imagine the quality of service with refills, etc.--these FAs wanted to sit and chat, period.
Of course, the male FA chose not to wear his name tag. I asked him for his name and was met with this: "I don't feel safe sharing that with you."
I complained to AA on Twitter (with picture of the one-tray meal) and online and got helpful, fast responses with apologies and acknowledgement that this service was below standard.
Still.
Jul 12, 2015, 8:26 pm
#1284
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
To be fair, however, pmAA has had its own share of bad/nasty FA's, predating the merger before it was even a twinkle in Dougie's eyes. For example, remember the nasty 2009 incident with Helen and the OJ?
Not saying this is acceptable nor excusable, not at all. Just saying that reports and incidents of rogue crews isn't new, and has nothing to do with the merger.
Not saying this is acceptable nor excusable, not at all. Just saying that reports and incidents of rogue crews isn't new, and has nothing to do with the merger.
Absolutely ridiculous. I would have probably taken the nuts off the tray and then requested that the lAAzy FA take the main back and keep it warm in the oven until I called for it. This kind of blatant service failure is simply unacceptable even at some of the lowest class airlines out there. AA should really have more plainclothes supervisors/employees floating around the system so they can see how terribly the onboard service product is becoming.
Jul 12, 2015, 8:38 pm
#1285
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
To be fair, however, pmAA has had its own share of bad/nasty FA's, predating the merger before it was even a twinkle in Dougie's eyes. For example, remember the nasty 2009 incident with Helen and the OJ?
Not saying this is acceptable nor excusable, not at all. Just saying that reports and incidents of rogue crews isn't new, and has nothing to do with the merger.
Not saying this is acceptable nor excusable, not at all. Just saying that reports and incidents of rogue crews isn't new, and has nothing to do with the merger.
Although, in my experience, it has slipped more than it was before since the merger. Nowadays it's as if few people care at all since the major airlines have pretty much zero domestic competition.
Jul 13, 2015, 12:55 am
#1286
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
I surmise you have not flown DL F in quite awhile as DL F now has the best J/F meal service amongst the three US legacy carriers...
Jul 13, 2015, 9:34 am
#1287
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
Personally I find that to be a bit debatable as UA has some pretty good options now. My biggest issue with DL is that the menus are generally pretty unimaginative and can be bland, especially some of the lunch and light dinner options. Nonetheless, the actual food comes out better than AA's in pretty much every case now. Of course the same could be said about UA as well.
Jul 13, 2015, 11:19 am
#1288
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 1,200
I had the curry chicken wrap on a Compass E175 AUS/LAX yesterday, was a very nice meal compared to mainline. Salad was bigger than mainline with more vegetables, and the key lime cheesecake dessert was far superior to the warmed on board cookies. Only downsides were no rolls and nuts were cold. I'm really impressed with Eagle 175's, they are a lot nicer than the CRJ900's and a lot of mainline planes too.
Jul 13, 2015, 12:39 pm
#1289
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I wonder if that is the same chicken curry wrap AA served pre-9/1 on "snack" flights?
Jul 13, 2015, 1:18 pm
#1290
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
Did you ask for the sausage to be removed or has Hector finalized that vegetarians and other who don't want to eat meAAt on their flights have at least one breakfast choice?
Old AA catering even on mid-cons often had both selections without meat even the eggs/omelettes.
Old AA catering even on mid-cons often had both selections without meat even the eggs/omelettes.