Jan 1, 2016, 11:58 pm
Last edit by: Genius1
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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 2016 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.
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.
2016 Combined AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
Aug 4, 2016, 10:46 pm
#1366
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
I don't understand the point of the liquid... Is it to prevent the mac & cheese from drying out when it's reheated in the standard convection ovens?
I've had it served both with and without the liquid and the meal has been 10x better without it. Not only does it steam the beef, but it "washes" the seared crust off the meat creating a flavor and texture issue.
I definitely must have won the lobster lotto though -- I've had a pretty noticeable portion of lobster the times I've had the dish, so that part was ok.
I've had it served both with and without the liquid and the meal has been 10x better without it. Not only does it steam the beef, but it "washes" the seared crust off the meat creating a flavor and texture issue.
I definitely must have won the lobster lotto though -- I've had a pretty noticeable portion of lobster the times I've had the dish, so that part was ok.
Aug 4, 2016, 10:49 pm
#1367
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Aug 4, 2016, 10:53 pm
#1368
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
The real question is why are we seeing the same meals, like loster Mac and beef, over and over again? I get that they rotate but it's a different version of the same stuff.
As far as the unclean spoon goes that's not an AA problem, it's a catering company problem. They are literally doing everything possible to resolve the catering problems and like DL, they have fined the caterers and threatened lawsuits but it's not resolving the issue. AA has even placed analyst on temporary assignments at each major catering location to check minimum specifications. However, the caterers have admitted they aren't up to standard. The reason, they claim, is airlines quickly changed their menus and catering investment to a level they were not prepared for. As another user pointed out, AA has a long term resolution in the works and the assumption is they will start their own catering company.
As far as the unclean spoon goes that's not an AA problem, it's a catering company problem. They are literally doing everything possible to resolve the catering problems and like DL, they have fined the caterers and threatened lawsuits but it's not resolving the issue. AA has even placed analyst on temporary assignments at each major catering location to check minimum specifications. However, the caterers have admitted they aren't up to standard. The reason, they claim, is airlines quickly changed their menus and catering investment to a level they were not prepared for. As another user pointed out, AA has a long term resolution in the works and the assumption is they will start their own catering company.
Are the catering companies working with the airlines on their menu's or does the airlines do it themselves and just hand the catering companies the menu? Aren't menu rotated monthly or semi monthly? What lead time are the catering given of a menu change?
Aug 5, 2016, 4:30 am
#1369
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
For example if I fly MIA-DFW-SEA twice in 3 months, I may get the same meal on DFW-SEA that I got on MIA-DFW 3 months ago, and vice versa.
Aug 5, 2016, 9:16 am
#1370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,631
We create unique First and Business Class menus for your enjoyment. Pair your meal with an award-winning wine or your beverage of choice for the ultimate inflight dining experience."
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ing/dining.jsp
If they are falling short on the "ultimate inflight dining experience," they aren't delivering. Well, maybe not. Because if one uses the "final" definition of ultimate, ii.e., "the last inflight dining experience you'll ever want," perhaps they are succeeding.
Aug 5, 2016, 11:03 am
#1371
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
wow, talk about sickly looking... not to mention the fact that the entire dish was swimming in liquid.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSG_Sky_Chefs
UA still has theirs, but it doesn't operate in enough of their major cities I think (notably SoCal airports and SFO among others).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Food_Services
Ah, memories of domestic Y pizza and salad are coming back.
I have nothing wrong with GG and LSG because I have seen what they can do from LAX (for example) for many different carriers (EK/QR/AA/VX/etx.) and different route types (premium transcon/intl/domestic F). So, I am not really sure why AA is getting a poorer execution. I agree that across all carriers (including B6), we are seeing significant changes for in-air F&B, but AA is not really making that many changes in these cycles. Do they think they can keep the same cycle content and try to perfect the execution? Not so sure. It does appear UA is doing better here at the moment while DL is sticking to simpler meals (except for transcon). If UA can do better in non-Chelsea locations, then AA needs to figure it out.
Thankfully, we can all see that F&B does seem to elicit the strongest HV customer response as it is one of the only things that got "changed back" (except for the upcoming 75k CPU).
AA set of cycle menus has not changed in quite some time now even if they change which cycle menu appears on which specific flight pair. I could guess lead time on a brand new menu item is at least three months. I am also basing this on what I see happening on the Fresh Meals Y menu rotation (which are made by the same caterers). The only change I noticed across the board was the removal of the protein shred pieces (turkey bacon?) from the side salad a few months ago (likely due to heavy CS complaints and FA feedback). In fact, I notice more attention to ensuring a vegetarian delivery option (meaning no meat only) is available out of the box for every meal period and cycle even if technically all choices have a meat component.
I suspect the next actual menu change will be in 2017 at the earliest with it being 'locked' by September of this year (taking my three month plan into account). Well, at least I hope.
Rasheed
Aug 5, 2016, 9:44 pm
#1372
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
So flying AA F later this month and need some guidance on meals. I'm used to UA F, which at least is edible if not moderately tasty.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)??
... is up with these meals?
The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)??
... is up with these meals?The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
Aug 5, 2016, 10:12 pm
#1373
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP, EY Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*, Global Entry
Posts: 245
So flying AA F later this month and need some guidance on meals. I'm used to UA F, which at least is edible if not moderately tasty.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)?? ... is up with these meals?
The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)??
... is up with these meals?The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
Aug 5, 2016, 10:27 pm
#1374
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
So flying AA F later this month and need some guidance on meals. I'm used to UA F, which at least is edible if not moderately tasty.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)?? ... is up with these meals?
The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)??
... is up with these meals?The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
Dinner I'd go chicken or beef. I find the choice of tilapia over chicken or beef to be amusing, considering that tilapia is a bottom-feeder trash fish.
Aug 6, 2016, 7:24 am
#1375
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
So flying AA F later this month and need some guidance on meals. I'm used to UA F, which at least is edible if not moderately tasty.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)?? ... is up with these meals?
The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)??
... is up with these meals?The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
Aug 6, 2016, 9:19 am
#1376
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,734
So flying AA F later this month and need some guidance on meals. I'm used to UA F, which at least is edible if not moderately tasty.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)?? ... is up with these meals?
The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
I have breakfast: the red pepper, cheese, and broccoli strata (whatever the F a strata is), or dried cranberry and orange waffle bread pudding (which sounds like a bizarre mix of dessert/breakfast)??
... is up with these meals?The dinner options are at least decipherable; planning on going with the pistachio crusted tilapia. No way I'm going for beef, and the other options are chicken or pasta.
Aug 6, 2016, 9:26 am
#1377
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
As far as the unclean spoon goes that's not an AA problem, it's a catering company problem. They are literally doing everything possible to resolve the catering problems and like DL, they have fined the caterers and threatened lawsuits but it's not resolving the issue. AA has even placed analyst on temporary assignments at each major catering location to check minimum specifications. However, the caterers have admitted they aren't up to standard.
Aug 6, 2016, 10:44 am
#1378
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
For breakfast, go with the egg strata. The waffle thing is way too sweet and is an incredibly bizarre mishmash of waffles and bread pudding. I can kind of see what they're going for, but the execution is terrible. Some sort of mutant breakfast mess. I think I actually heard it whisper, "Killll meeeeee..." the last time I had it.
Thanks all!
Aug 7, 2016, 12:33 pm
#1379
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
US only served meals on flights greater then 3.5 hrs, so the number of meals served were far less then what is being served today. However, Breakfast meals on US was far better then was AA served, before the merger and today. When it comes to meal issues, the FA's could take a step to make meals more presentable, however, the PMAA FA's are so lazy that they do not care on presentation, its all about getting the meal service done and hide in the galley.
Aug 7, 2016, 1:06 pm
#1380
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
US only served meals on flights greater then 3.5 hrs, so the number of meals served were far less then what is being served today. However, Breakfast meals on US was far better then was AA served, before the merger and today. When it comes to meal issues, the FA's could take a step to make meals more presentable, however, the PMAA FA's are so lazy that they do not care on presentation, its all about getting the meal service done and hide in the galley.