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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#1396
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
I don't fly much at all anymore let alone in first class, but yesterday I somehow managed this trick on a hub-to-hub US flight from PHL to DFW at lunchtime.
Ken Chase, I'm sorry! Even though I've never had a good word to say about you, anywhere, the "Burgans Albarino 2013 Rias Baixas DO" Spanish white was actually pretty decent -- no cloying or too-sweet aftertaste, even a little bit of steel. I gather from this month's selections at AA.com that this is supposed to be a "three-class first class" wine; nice substitution for me. Or the FA told me it was a substitution, anyway. She even brought me the bottle to show me the label before opening and pouring it. (Where did she learn to do that?)
The red, a Merlot, was not drinkable. One sip. Almost sweet. Ugh. Thanks, Ken.
The arugula salad with goat cheese, quinoa, caramelized red onions and a chilled chicken breast on the side was edible, possibly border-line good. I didn't use the "dressing."
The hummus & pita made for a decent appetizer, give or take the really execrable pita. After all, no one can screw up hummus . . . even if they leave out most of the garlic.
The "cheese cake" was, in fact, a perfectly passible square-shaped slice of ordinary key lime pie with a graham-cracker crust. I'm not sure why it's billed as "cheese cake."
Add in an actual full-bar PDB service and the fruit I brought along with me, and I'm more than delighted with how all this came off.
Or maybe I'm just managing my own expectations?
(Confession: I did know enough to avoid the tortellini marinara.)
Ken Chase, I'm sorry! Even though I've never had a good word to say about you, anywhere, the "Burgans Albarino 2013 Rias Baixas DO" Spanish white was actually pretty decent -- no cloying or too-sweet aftertaste, even a little bit of steel. I gather from this month's selections at AA.com that this is supposed to be a "three-class first class" wine; nice substitution for me. Or the FA told me it was a substitution, anyway. She even brought me the bottle to show me the label before opening and pouring it. (Where did she learn to do that?)
The red, a Merlot, was not drinkable. One sip. Almost sweet. Ugh. Thanks, Ken.
The arugula salad with goat cheese, quinoa, caramelized red onions and a chilled chicken breast on the side was edible, possibly border-line good. I didn't use the "dressing."
The hummus & pita made for a decent appetizer, give or take the really execrable pita. After all, no one can screw up hummus . . . even if they leave out most of the garlic.
The "cheese cake" was, in fact, a perfectly passible square-shaped slice of ordinary key lime pie with a graham-cracker crust. I'm not sure why it's billed as "cheese cake."
Add in an actual full-bar PDB service and the fruit I brought along with me, and I'm more than delighted with how all this came off.
Or maybe I'm just managing my own expectations?
(Confession: I did know enough to avoid the tortellini marinara.)
Last edited by FallenPlat; Jul 22, 2015 at 11:06 am
#1397
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
J options are typically largely the same as the F offerings. Think similar setup to 3-class intercontinental flights. Largely no differentiation between the two products.
#1398
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
#1399
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL DM, 1MM AA PLT 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, and...Smiles Diamante
Posts: 2,783
I'm not sure if someone posted this, but the wines seem to have been updated on aa.com:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...ining/wine.jsp
It will be interesting to see if Champagne truly finds its way onto three-class Domestic First and Hawaii flights.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...ining/wine.jsp
It will be interesting to see if Champagne truly finds its way onto three-class Domestic First and Hawaii flights.
Last edited by snorkmaster; Jul 22, 2015 at 1:51 pm
#1400
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
I'm not sure if someone posted this, but the wines seem to have been updated on aa.com:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...ining/wine.jsp
It will be interesting to see if Champagne truly finds its way onto three-class Domestic First and Hawaii flights.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...ining/wine.jsp
It will be interesting to see if Champagne truly finds its way onto three-class Domestic First and Hawaii flights.
#1401
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I should pull up this website the next time I'm denied a PDB:
First and Business Class
As always, all alcoholic beverages are complimentary in First and Business Class. So, enjoy a mimosa before takeoff, then pair your favorite beverage with one of our flavorful meals to enhance your dining experience.
First and Business Class
As always, all alcoholic beverages are complimentary in First and Business Class. So, enjoy a mimosa before takeoff, then pair your favorite beverage with one of our flavorful meals to enhance your dining experience.
#1402
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
And better wine/booze, and espresso/cappuccino.
#1403
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
One of the better flight attendants I have had on these flights brought me an espresso in J. Two, even. She was very nice about it and got a ticket in return
#1407
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
#1408
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 2
Take the chicken. This is a remake of one of the AA dishes that was rolled out right before the merger. Great flavor. Filling. A couple of the components are pre-cooked, frozen but, IIRC the veg is now fresh. Much better than the old US menus that were all frozen pop outs.
#1410
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307