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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#1336
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
Gross. The last time I had the chicken tapenade dish, the broccoli was so overcooked, it left a half inch of water in the bottom of the dish. I recommend avoidance at all costs.
#1337
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Sounds like the "beef" dish departing PVR shown not too long ago. Half the dish looked like liquid.
#1338
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: Delta Silver, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond, Ex-UA Gold, Ex-AA Gold , Ex-SPG Gold, Peon everywhere else
Posts: 616
I have a RT LAX-LIH at the end of this month. These are my meal choices. Anyone have an idea how appetizing these may be. I guess I could go to the grocery store and check out the frozen food section to get an idea of what to expect.
LAX-LIH
Macadamia Nut Chicken
Tender chicken breast crusted with macadamia nuts served over ginger mashed potatoes with sauteed spinach.
Artichoke Ravioli
With a smoked Gouda sauce topped with red peppers.
LIH-LAX
Uno's Pizza
An individual deep-dish four cheese and pesto pizza
Artichoke Ravioli
Same as above.
LAX-LIH
Macadamia Nut Chicken
Tender chicken breast crusted with macadamia nuts served over ginger mashed potatoes with sauteed spinach.
Artichoke Ravioli
With a smoked Gouda sauce topped with red peppers.
LIH-LAX
Uno's Pizza
An individual deep-dish four cheese and pesto pizza
Artichoke Ravioli
Same as above.
#1339
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
Waygu Meatloaf
Ended up trying the Waygu Meatloaf on AA 19 JFK LAX in First today and must say it was tasty, it kinda looked like an "AA steak"/meat dish from the outside, even if listed as a meatloaf dish.
The sriracha ketchup had a slight kick, which for people not used to spicy food might be too spicy.
The sriracha ketchup had a slight kick, which for people not used to spicy food might be too spicy.
#1340
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
Ended up trying the Waygu Meatloaf on AA 19 JFK LAX in First today and must say it was tasty, it kinda looked like an "AA steak"/meat dish from the outside, even if listed as a meatloaf dish.
The sriracha ketchup had a slight kick, which for people not used to spicy food might be too spicy.
The sriracha ketchup had a slight kick, which for people not used to spicy food might be too spicy.
#1341
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
I agree the dish is a bit on the tiny side, could use a bit more meatloaf... I think it's a nut ramkin pulling a second shift as a sauce ramkin hehe
I also noticed the sand linens on my EZE-JFK flight in F, they got new linens but still won't spend the few extra cents so that they fit the table properly... #dougiediet hehe
#1342
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Keep in mind though, its on a huge plate that's used on 3-class domestic F. Put it on a J or 2-class F plate, and it "looks" bigger. Combined with the appetizer, desert and side salad, I'd say it's probably right sized.
#1343
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Charlotte-Denver
"American" 447 operated by US Airways
A320
8:25P-9:56P (sked)
9:35P-11:00P (actual)
July 16, 2015
OMG, my 4th of 15 AA flight in the next two weeks. What a glutton for punishment.
Only selected this fight because UA has no afternoon PIT-DEN nonstop on Thursdays (Huh?) and PIT-CLT-DEN First was priced just $30 more than AA's cheapest PIT-DFW-DEN available Y fare. Well, you get what you pay for. What a garbage plane this is. DL-like pitch and legroom and wonderful AA catering. Oh yes, just love the galley as part of the F cabin.
And the usual horrific post 9/1 options of "beef" mystery meat teriyaki or mushroom ravioli. But as insurance, I bought a chicken wrap in the terminal.
Oh yummy.
The only good part of the meal was the chicken quinoa starter.
Didn't even try the joke of a salad.
And as bad as this was, it was no doubt better than the mystery meat.
Tough to screw up cookies and cream ice cream.
Hard to imagine anything worse than this garbage.
"American" 447 operated by US Airways
A320
8:25P-9:56P (sked)
9:35P-11:00P (actual)
July 16, 2015
OMG, my 4th of 15 AA flight in the next two weeks. What a glutton for punishment.
Only selected this fight because UA has no afternoon PIT-DEN nonstop on Thursdays (Huh?) and PIT-CLT-DEN First was priced just $30 more than AA's cheapest PIT-DFW-DEN available Y fare. Well, you get what you pay for. What a garbage plane this is. DL-like pitch and legroom and wonderful AA catering. Oh yes, just love the galley as part of the F cabin.
And the usual horrific post 9/1 options of "beef" mystery meat teriyaki or mushroom ravioli. But as insurance, I bought a chicken wrap in the terminal.
Oh yummy.
The only good part of the meal was the chicken quinoa starter.
Didn't even try the joke of a salad.
And as bad as this was, it was no doubt better than the mystery meat.
Tough to screw up cookies and cream ice cream.
Hard to imagine anything worse than this garbage.
Last edited by SFO777; Jul 16, 2015 at 9:36 pm
#1345
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
#1346
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: IL
Programs: AA PLT, HYT PLT
Posts: 211
Looks more like barley than quinoa, no clue what that yellow/beige slop is supposed to be. Good choice on the pre plane wrap.
#1347
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
#1348
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
#1349
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
I have a RT LAX-LIH at the end of this month. These are my meal choices. Anyone have an idea how appetizing these may be. I guess I could go to the grocery store and check out the frozen food section to get an idea of what to expect.
LAX-LIH
Macadamia Nut Chicken
Tender chicken breast crusted with macadamia nuts served over ginger mashed potatoes with sauteed spinach.
Artichoke Ravioli
With a smoked Gouda sauce topped with red peppers.
LIH-LAX
Uno's Pizza
An individual deep-dish four cheese and pesto pizza
Artichoke Ravioli
Same as above.
LAX-LIH
Macadamia Nut Chicken
Tender chicken breast crusted with macadamia nuts served over ginger mashed potatoes with sauteed spinach.
Artichoke Ravioli
With a smoked Gouda sauce topped with red peppers.
LIH-LAX
Uno's Pizza
An individual deep-dish four cheese and pesto pizza
Artichoke Ravioli
Same as above.
#1350
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,160