AA A321T Westbound Redeye Transcon Catering?
Mar 2, 2019, 8:16 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2015
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I took AA185, the 9:30pm JFK-LAX flight. I would say that this was a full meal service -- for example, one entree choice was beef, there was an appetizer, etc.
I was a bit disappointed in my first AA premium transcon experience. No PDBs offered, the entire meal was plated at once (this sounds like the standard, based on the previous post), service was from the cart (this may be standard on these flights, so that may be an unfair criticism), and no made to order sundaes despite the AA website explicitly saying this was part of the J service (one option was ice cream, though). There was also no champagne in J, but again, that may be standard.
I was a bit disappointed in my first AA premium transcon experience. No PDBs offered, the entire meal was plated at once (this sounds like the standard, based on the previous post), service was from the cart (this may be standard on these flights, so that may be an unfair criticism), and no made to order sundaes despite the AA website explicitly saying this was part of the J service (one option was ice cream, though). There was also no champagne in J, but again, that may be standard.
Mar 2, 2019, 8:40 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2017
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I took AA185, the 9:30pm JFK-LAX flight. I would say that this was a full meal service -- for example, one entree choice was beef, there was an appetizer, etc.
I was a bit disappointed in my first AA premium transcon experience. No PDBs offered, the entire meal was plated at once (this sounds like the standard, based on the previous post), service was from the cart (this may be standard on these flights, so that may be an unfair criticism), and no made to order sundaes despite the AA website explicitly saying this was part of the J service (one option was ice cream, though). There was also no champagne in J, but again, that may be standard.
I was a bit disappointed in my first AA premium transcon experience. No PDBs offered, the entire meal was plated at once (this sounds like the standard, based on the previous post), service was from the cart (this may be standard on these flights, so that may be an unfair criticism), and no made to order sundaes despite the AA website explicitly saying this was part of the J service (one option was ice cream, though). There was also no champagne in J, but again, that may be standard.
I was always offered a PDB on transcon flights but this really depends on the crew (and honestly this is so difficult to do PDB on AA's A321T even in first class as everyone boards from the front door). Next time maybe you could try a dinner time transcon flight as they are always better serviced (i.e. full multi-course dinner + sundae as promised)
Mar 2, 2019, 9:50 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Did they actually tell you there was no champagne, or was there simply none offered? There should always be (/there always is) champagne in J.
Or are you saying that there was only prosecco and no French Champagne? (legitimate complaint if so but there is often no French Champagne)
Or are you saying that there was only prosecco and no French Champagne? (legitimate complaint if so but there is often no French Champagne)
I haven't been on a flight that late, but only times I can recall getting a meal plated at once is breakfast service and eastbound transcon (which most people can just get a quick meal and go into sleep), and I think it makes sense to have everything plated at once since 9:30pm departure is basically a redeye too
Next time maybe you could try a dinner time transcon flight as they are always better serviced (i.e. full multi-course dinner + sundae as promised)
But yes, hopefully sometime I can try it under more favorable circumstances.That route is somewhat of an exception to the post-8:00 PM no meal policy that AA has in place and still better than the non-flagship post-8:00 departure transcons that operate without any meal service at all. AKA a tray and the lie-flat seat is better than a 737 and a "snack basket" on a similar distance.
Last edited by ikwia; Mar 2, 2019 at 9:56 pm
Mar 3, 2019, 11:39 am
#19
Join Date: May 2007
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Post-8pm premium JFK-LAX/SFO and vice versa transcons get an abbreviated dinner service, as you observed, which is identified in the GDS as a "snack" meal code rather than "dinner". Standard offering is one-tray service, with single appetizer, choice of three entrees, and pre-packaged ice cream (not made-to-order sundaes, not pre-served ice cream desserts on midcon dinners). Sure, it misses most of the bells and whistles of regular dinner service, but quantity-wise I have found the meal to be largely sufficient.
The irony is that select post-8pm non-premium transcons do get full standard domestic dinner service: appetizer, salad, choice of two entrees, and made-to-order sundae or cheese plate for dessert, though obviously they are operated on regular domestic aircraft (including the dreaded LUS 321). Routes that come to mind are JFK-SAN/SEA (if/when they are running the late flights in the summer), PHL-LAX/SFO/SAN, MIA-SFO/SEA.
The irony is that select post-8pm non-premium transcons do get full standard domestic dinner service: appetizer, salad, choice of two entrees, and made-to-order sundae or cheese plate for dessert, though obviously they are operated on regular domestic aircraft (including the dreaded LUS 321). Routes that come to mind are JFK-SAN/SEA (if/when they are running the late flights in the summer), PHL-LAX/SFO/SAN, MIA-SFO/SEA.
Mar 3, 2019, 12:05 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Post-8pm premium JFK-LAX/SFO and vice versa transcons get an abbreviated dinner service, as you observed, which is identified in the GDS as a "snack" meal code rather than "dinner". Standard offering is one-tray service, with single appetizer, choice of three entrees, and pre-packaged ice cream (not made-to-order sundaes, not pre-served ice cream desserts on midcon dinners). Sure, it misses most of the bells and whistles of regular dinner service, but quantity-wise I have found the meal to be largely sufficient.
The irony is that select post-8pm non-premium transcons do get full standard domestic dinner service: appetizer, salad, choice of two entrees, and made-to-order sundae or cheese plate for dessert, though obviously they are operated on regular domestic aircraft (including the dreaded LUS 321). Routes that come to mind are JFK-SAN/SEA (if/when they are running the late flights in the summer), PHL-LAX/SFO/SAN, MIA-SFO/SEA.
The irony is that select post-8pm non-premium transcons do get full standard domestic dinner service: appetizer, salad, choice of two entrees, and made-to-order sundae or cheese plate for dessert, though obviously they are operated on regular domestic aircraft (including the dreaded LUS 321). Routes that come to mind are JFK-SAN/SEA (if/when they are running the late flights in the summer), PHL-LAX/SFO/SAN, MIA-SFO/SEA.
Mar 3, 2019, 2:33 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2007
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Oh, that's interesting! I wonder if it's a catering change or a miscater; I last took one of these flights over a year ago. The ice cream in a glass sounds like the "pre-served ice cream" I was referring to on midcon dinner flights. If it is indeed a catering change rather than a miscater, I'd say it is a slight improvement over the previous pre-packaged cup of Haagan Dazs or Ben & Jerry's.
Mar 4, 2019, 2:39 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2005
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