Dec 31, 2016, 10:45 pm
Last edit by: JY1024
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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 2017 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.
2017 Combined AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
Jan 17, 2017, 11:34 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
IAH-CLT
AA 2053
A320
Departure: 0700
January 14, 2017
Breakfast
Couldn't get the better half on UA's morning non-stop from IAH to BOS (after 2.5 weeks in IAH, wanted to get out as quickly as possible Saturday morning), so had to switch over and went with AA given short connection time in CLT.
PDB was offered, as was the moist towelette. Service started off pretty poorly as we boarded with about ten minutes left in the process. FA doing PDB was miserable, despite having a 15 hour lay-over. Probably slept in uniform from the looks of things. FA doing the meal service warmed up eventually but it was a good 45 minutes after take off until we were finally served (row 3) the meal.
Breakfast choice consisted of 'Steel Grain Oats' or 'Biscuit with Eggs'. Both of us opted for the Biscuit with eggs. Have to say, as far as AA meals go these days, it wasn't un-edible OR, more likely, we were just really hungry. Bread basket was not warmed; SO had the pan-au-chocolat, I went with an extra biscuit. A few beverage runs were made. Mints provided prior to landing. Naturally, wi-fi was spotty.
I thought we were on the nastiest, most run down A320 in the fleet for this flight until we connected in CLT to the A320 for CLT to BOS; even worse. The downward trend continues. My SO, who doesn't fly a lot, remarked, 'So remind me again why we didn't just connect in Atlanta?' Demerits for me, lol. So, hopefully 2017 will be as AA free as possible, with their A320 gAArbAAge trucks. Thanks, Doug!
AA 2053
A320
Departure: 0700
January 14, 2017
Breakfast
Couldn't get the better half on UA's morning non-stop from IAH to BOS (after 2.5 weeks in IAH, wanted to get out as quickly as possible Saturday morning), so had to switch over and went with AA given short connection time in CLT.
PDB was offered, as was the moist towelette. Service started off pretty poorly as we boarded with about ten minutes left in the process. FA doing PDB was miserable, despite having a 15 hour lay-over. Probably slept in uniform from the looks of things. FA doing the meal service warmed up eventually but it was a good 45 minutes after take off until we were finally served (row 3) the meal.
Breakfast choice consisted of 'Steel Grain Oats' or 'Biscuit with Eggs'. Both of us opted for the Biscuit with eggs. Have to say, as far as AA meals go these days, it wasn't un-edible OR, more likely, we were just really hungry. Bread basket was not warmed; SO had the pan-au-chocolat, I went with an extra biscuit. A few beverage runs were made. Mints provided prior to landing. Naturally, wi-fi was spotty.
I thought we were on the nastiest, most run down A320 in the fleet for this flight until we connected in CLT to the A320 for CLT to BOS; even worse. The downward trend continues. My SO, who doesn't fly a lot, remarked, 'So remind me again why we didn't just connect in Atlanta?' Demerits for me, lol. So, hopefully 2017 will be as AA free as possible, with their A320 gAArbAAge trucks. Thanks, Doug!
Jan 17, 2017, 11:37 am
#32
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Jan 17, 2017, 11:44 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,609
Jan 17, 2017, 11:59 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
LOL. I got much the same from Mrs. SFO777 who raved about her inbound LAX-MSY Delta flight... clean new cabin, comfy seat, great seat back IFE with movies, nice lunch, good service, etc... I told her "the schedule didn't work for Delta" when I really meant "Delta was 3 times the price".
Jan 17, 2017, 12:19 pm
#35
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
Spot the difference!
AA1120: JFK-MCO: 6.30pm
Dinner
737-800
First Class, 4A
AA2285: MCO-LGA: 6.45pm
Dinner
737-800
First Class, 4F
On the JFK-MCO flight the sugar cookie came on the tray, and the return flight the chocolate chip cookies were made onboard.
When I pre-booked the food the options were the same both ways but on the return flight it sounded like the second option a coconut curry of some kind which didn't match the description of what I recall from the time I ordered. I didn't ask further because the superb FA came by to confirm the order I had made before I heard him talking to the passengers behind.
AA1120: JFK-MCO: 6.30pm
Dinner
737-800
First Class, 4A
AA2285: MCO-LGA: 6.45pm
Dinner
737-800
First Class, 4F
On the JFK-MCO flight the sugar cookie came on the tray, and the return flight the chocolate chip cookies were made onboard.
When I pre-booked the food the options were the same both ways but on the return flight it sounded like the second option a coconut curry of some kind which didn't match the description of what I recall from the time I ordered. I didn't ask further because the superb FA came by to confirm the order I had made before I heard him talking to the passengers behind.
Jan 17, 2017, 12:23 pm
#36
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
DEN-LAX
Compass E-175
Breakfast
PDB of choice. Coffee hadn't been made yet, so I had to settle for a Screwdriver
Once in the air, drink of choice was offered.
HOT towels followed.
Only one choice offered - a shelf-stable breakfast. This caught me off guard as I thought AA had catering in DEN.
Anywho, on the tray was Kellogg's low-fat granola with raisins and shelf-stable "Dairy Pure" milk. There was also Fly Fit raspberry yogurt. This was WAY better than the Uptown Farms junk. A banana was also on the tray. There was a cheese/cracker plate as well, featuring both red AND green grapes, brie cheese, and the ubiquitous "cream" crackers. A chocolate mini-croissant was also offered. Overall, a filling meal, if not a bit disappointing that it was the "shelf-stable" meal.
Drink re-fills were constant.
Mints offered prior to landing. ^
Compass E-175
Breakfast
PDB of choice. Coffee hadn't been made yet, so I had to settle for a Screwdriver
Once in the air, drink of choice was offered.
HOT towels followed.
Only one choice offered - a shelf-stable breakfast. This caught me off guard as I thought AA had catering in DEN.
Anywho, on the tray was Kellogg's low-fat granola with raisins and shelf-stable "Dairy Pure" milk. There was also Fly Fit raspberry yogurt. This was WAY better than the Uptown Farms junk. A banana was also on the tray. There was a cheese/cracker plate as well, featuring both red AND green grapes, brie cheese, and the ubiquitous "cream" crackers. A chocolate mini-croissant was also offered. Overall, a filling meal, if not a bit disappointing that it was the "shelf-stable" meal.
Drink re-fills were constant.
Mints offered prior to landing. ^
Last edited by UAPremierGuy; Jan 24, 2017 at 4:36 pm
Jan 17, 2017, 4:58 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yellow Springs
Programs: AS 75k
Posts: 1,523
I have the following choices for lunch on LAX-JFK. Is there a report on the Grilled Lobster and Cheese sandwich? I couldn't find one in last year's thread.
Wagyu Meatloaf Wagyu Meatloaf with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and candied onions
Grilled Cauliflower Steak, portobello farro risotto, sautéed kale, baby sunburst squash
Grilled Lobster and Cheese Sandwich, tomato basil soup, green salad
Wagyu Meatloaf Wagyu Meatloaf with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and candied onions
Grilled Cauliflower Steak, portobello farro risotto, sautéed kale, baby sunburst squash
Grilled Lobster and Cheese Sandwich, tomato basil soup, green salad
Jan 17, 2017, 5:29 pm
#38
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
LAX-DEN
Compass E-175
Breakfast
No PDB
Once in the air, drink of choice followed by HOT towels. Choices today were the cereal or a bagel with "raw salmon."
I had the bagel and it was excellent. While the bagel itself was small and left a lot to be desired, the salmon was fresh as were its accompaniments. Also on the tray was a small fruit plate with about 10 red grapes, the sorriest Kiwi slice I've ever seen, a single strawberry, and a single slice of pineapple. There was also a raisin bread roll and a butter packet, and Sysco branded salt and pepper packets, lol.
Drinks re-filled on request only.
While the FA was friendly, she appeared not to have a routine down and this slowed service quite a bit.
Compass E-175
Breakfast
No PDB
Once in the air, drink of choice followed by HOT towels. Choices today were the cereal or a bagel with "raw salmon."
I had the bagel and it was excellent. While the bagel itself was small and left a lot to be desired, the salmon was fresh as were its accompaniments. Also on the tray was a small fruit plate with about 10 red grapes, the sorriest Kiwi slice I've ever seen, a single strawberry, and a single slice of pineapple. There was also a raisin bread roll and a butter packet, and Sysco branded salt and pepper packets, lol.
Drinks re-filled on request only.
While the FA was friendly, she appeared not to have a routine down and this slowed service quite a bit.
Jan 17, 2017, 5:37 pm
#39
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
I have the following choices for lunch on LAX-JFK. Is there a report on the Grilled Lobster and Cheese sandwich? I couldn't find one in last year's thread.
Wagyu Meatloaf Wagyu Meatloaf with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and candied onions
Grilled Cauliflower Steak, portobello farro risotto, sautéed kale, baby sunburst squash
Grilled Lobster and Cheese Sandwich, tomato basil soup, green salad
Wagyu Meatloaf Wagyu Meatloaf with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and candied onions
Grilled Cauliflower Steak, portobello farro risotto, sautéed kale, baby sunburst squash
Grilled Lobster and Cheese Sandwich, tomato basil soup, green salad
-FlyerBeek
Jan 17, 2017, 6:02 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
I can't actually speak to the quality of the sandwich, but all I can think about it is.....Why??
Jan 17, 2017, 6:19 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 83
I know you are talking first class meals here, which I had hoped to upgrade to, but sadly even 9 months out there are no upgrades available. Anywho, we booked coach (yikes) to HNL from DFW and I thought last year they were going to offer free meals in coach for this flight. However, my ticket now says meals for purchase. Did they not implement these meals or do away with them?
Jan 17, 2017, 6:28 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
I know you are talking first class meals here, which I had hoped to upgrade to, but sadly even 9 months out there are no upgrades available. Anywho, we booked coach (yikes) to HNL from DFW and I thought last year they were going to offer free meals in coach for this flight. However, my ticket now says meals for purchase. Did they not implement these meals or do away with them?
Jan 17, 2017, 6:37 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
I know you are talking first class meals here, which I had hoped to upgrade to, but sadly even 9 months out there are no upgrades available. Anywho, we booked coach (yikes) to HNL from DFW and I thought last year they were going to offer free meals in coach for this flight. However, my ticket now says meals for purchase. Did they not implement these meals or do away with them?
-FlyerBeek
Jan 17, 2017, 6:39 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
LOL. I got much the same from Mrs. SFO777 who raved about her inbound LAX-MSY Delta flight... clean new cabin, comfy seat, great seat back IFE with movies, nice lunch, good service, etc... I told her "the schedule didn't work for Delta" when I really meant "Delta was 3 times the price".