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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#2881
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, WN A-List, Marriot Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 376
Or maybe its just me...
HP
#2882
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
I think meals on late-night flights are a vast improvement and very much appreciated. Hope they expand (sorry HP).
#2883
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
CLT-LAX
What the freak? i got a linen? what blasphemy is this. It was quiche or oatmeal. I'm tired of eating eggs on a plane so i went with oatmeal. Was fantastic and filling and not cheap tasting like quaker oats.
What the freak? i got a linen? what blasphemy is this. It was quiche or oatmeal. I'm tired of eating eggs on a plane so i went with oatmeal. Was fantastic and filling and not cheap tasting like quaker oats.
#2884
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Wow they got rid of that weird Hershey's "White Milk"!
#2885
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
#2886
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
The product costs of such a meal are certainly on the low end, but the set-ups, catering fees much less so. If this was indeed catered at CLT it was loaded/"provisioned" by in-house LUS employees.
#2887
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
I also agree on the need for bowls. Trying to eat the shelf stable granola from one of those casserole dishes that they serve you on Mesa is really annoying.
#2888
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Milwaukee
Programs: AA Pl, KL Platinum for Life
Posts: 384
KLM serves incredible soup! If you chose soup, they provide you with a nice bowl and later the FA comes to you with a really safe looking thermos with the soup and pours until you're bowl is about 1/2 full in case of turbulence! Very safe and delicious! Something AA needs to learn about but their FA's would have a fit if it caused them work.
#2889
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Milwaukee
Programs: AA Pl, KL Platinum for Life
Posts: 384
please delete
Last edited by Lakeviewsteve; Dec 17, 2015 at 5:36 pm
#2890
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 LUS have its own in-house catering in CLT (I'm assuming yes, just surprised to hear)? Who do they source it to at other hubs and outstations? You're teaching me so much over the last couple days
I also agree on the need for bowls. Trying to eat the shelf stable granola from one of those casserole dishes that they serve you on Mesa is really annoying.
I also agree on the need for bowls. Trying to eat the shelf stable granola from one of those casserole dishes that they serve you on Mesa is really annoying.
#2891
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,347
AA 255 JFK-LAX December 2015
December 2015
Flagship Menu
AA 255 New York JFK to Los Angeles
Menu
Starters
Char Siu Duck
With pickled vegetables and yuzu marmalade
Or
Tomato and Goat Cheese Strata
With pickled ginger vinaigrette
Salad
Spring Mix with Fresh Strawberry and Hearts of Palm
With your choice of Fuji Apple Vinaigrette dressing or balsamic vinaigrette
Assorted Gourmet breads will be served with your meal
Entrées
Chicken Sliders
With sriracha aioli and mixed pickled vegetables
Or
Pan Seared Crab Cakes
With jicama slaw and tomatillo poblano cream sauce
Or
Creamy Truffled Mac & Cheese
With grilled asparagus
Dessert
Traditional Ice Cream Sundae (Ben & Jerry’s)
Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae with your choice of hot fudge, butterscotch or seasonal berry toppings, whipped cream and chopped nuts
Gourmet Cheese Plate
An assortment of fine cheeses
Light Refreshment
Offered prior to arrival
Whole Fruit and Snacks
A selection of fresh seasonal fruit and premium snacks
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Warmed on Board
Wine List
Sparking Wine
Lanson Black Label Brut NV, Champagne, France
White Wine
Chateau St Jean Single Vineyard, Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay, Alexander Valley, California
Dry Creek Vineyard Fume Blanc, Sonoma, California
Red Wine
Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, California
Domaine de la Presidente, Cotes du Rhone Villages-Cairanne, France
Dessert Wine
Graham’s Six Grapes Port NV, Douro, Portugal
3Cls First Lunch-Snack
73PM012 12/15 103F102-4
Flagship Menu
AA 255 New York JFK to Los Angeles
Menu
Starters
Char Siu Duck
With pickled vegetables and yuzu marmalade
Or
Tomato and Goat Cheese Strata
With pickled ginger vinaigrette
Salad
Spring Mix with Fresh Strawberry and Hearts of Palm
With your choice of Fuji Apple Vinaigrette dressing or balsamic vinaigrette
Assorted Gourmet breads will be served with your meal
Entrées
Chicken Sliders
With sriracha aioli and mixed pickled vegetables
Or
Pan Seared Crab Cakes
With jicama slaw and tomatillo poblano cream sauce
Or
Creamy Truffled Mac & Cheese
With grilled asparagus
Dessert
Traditional Ice Cream Sundae (Ben & Jerry’s)
Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae with your choice of hot fudge, butterscotch or seasonal berry toppings, whipped cream and chopped nuts
Gourmet Cheese Plate
An assortment of fine cheeses
Light Refreshment
Offered prior to arrival
Whole Fruit and Snacks
A selection of fresh seasonal fruit and premium snacks
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Warmed on Board
Wine List
Sparking Wine
Lanson Black Label Brut NV, Champagne, France
White Wine
Chateau St Jean Single Vineyard, Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay, Alexander Valley, California
Dry Creek Vineyard Fume Blanc, Sonoma, California
Red Wine
Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, California
Domaine de la Presidente, Cotes du Rhone Villages-Cairanne, France
Dessert Wine
Graham’s Six Grapes Port NV, Douro, Portugal
3Cls First Lunch-Snack
73PM012 12/15 103F102-4
#2892
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Just took this flight for may be 14th time this year, Full meal service this time. Appetizer, entrées AND dessert. In this case, less is more. Had a hard time sleeping with all the noise. Who wants to eat a full meal at 1am??
Is this the norm now?
HP
Ps..At least the handed out AA "swag bags"... eye shades, booties, scope etc..
Is this the norm now?
HP
Ps..At least the handed out AA "swag bags"... eye shades, booties, scope etc..
#2893
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I had the Herbes de Provence chicken with green beans and mushroom risotto last night on ORD-LGA and thought it was very good! Reminiscent of pmAA pre 9/1/14 meal changes. The cookies are much better these days too...not sure if they are baked on board or not but I can't tell...they're back to being flaky.
No linens, yet I saw the lead FA using the navy linens to wipe down the galley surfaces before landing haha.
Mints were passed out.
Overall, good attentive service once we got in the air. We had a pretty hectic boarding so I was impressed they even bothered passing out water/OJ. The urgency to close the door early is visible everywhere these days, seems like they have all been threatened with their jobs if the door closes after T-10.
No linens, yet I saw the lead FA using the navy linens to wipe down the galley surfaces before landing haha.
Mints were passed out.
Overall, good attentive service once we got in the air. We had a pretty hectic boarding so I was impressed they even bothered passing out water/OJ. The urgency to close the door early is visible everywhere these days, seems like they have all been threatened with their jobs if the door closes after T-10.
Last edited by AANYC1981; Dec 18, 2015 at 9:36 am
#2894
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
Just an observation/gripe, but am I the only one who doesn't care for the weird shaped, non folding, tray tables that are on the pmUS 321s?
The food tray always seems like its going to fall off, hard to try and use a laptop on, and it really doesn't function as a cocktail table.
Yes I realize there are more important things to complain about, but for the life of me cannot understand who in their right mind designed such a lousy table; the seats themselves are fine though.
The food tray always seems like its going to fall off, hard to try and use a laptop on, and it really doesn't function as a cocktail table.
Yes I realize there are more important things to complain about, but for the life of me cannot understand who in their right mind designed such a lousy table; the seats themselves are fine though.
#2895
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Yes I've always thought that tray table was odd but the way it curves makes me feel like they were trying to create more room for the fuller bellied fliers up front