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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#721
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned here. Beginning August 1st the warmed on board cookies will be supplied by the same company the does the cookies for DoubleTree hotels. Chocolate chip and Snickerdoodle remain the flavors.
Also, Voodoo Ranger IPA is being added to the beer selections. Replacing two Bud Lights in the beer drawers. ^
Also, Voodoo Ranger IPA is being added to the beer selections. Replacing two Bud Lights in the beer drawers. ^
#722
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
AA1634 DEN-LAX
A319/2B
7:00 a.m/2:45/Breakfast
July 2017
PDBs offered. Breakfast sandwich - egg, Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese on focaccia. Cherry tomatoes/lettuce on the side. Served with fruit (red grapes, strawberry, pineapple, orange and kiwi) and a choice from the bread basket (biscuit, croissant or cinnamon roll) and butter/strawberry preserves. The other choice was Cheerios/milk, Greek yogurt and the same fruit bowl/bread choice. Nice breakfast on this "exception" flight, certainly as good as what UA serves. DL does not serve meals on this route, just the snack basket.
We landed at LAX 45 minutes early but had no gate and took the grand tour; the door opened five minutes early anyway.
A319/2B
7:00 a.m/2:45/Breakfast
July 2017
PDBs offered. Breakfast sandwich - egg, Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese on focaccia. Cherry tomatoes/lettuce on the side. Served with fruit (red grapes, strawberry, pineapple, orange and kiwi) and a choice from the bread basket (biscuit, croissant or cinnamon roll) and butter/strawberry preserves. The other choice was Cheerios/milk, Greek yogurt and the same fruit bowl/bread choice. Nice breakfast on this "exception" flight, certainly as good as what UA serves. DL does not serve meals on this route, just the snack basket.
We landed at LAX 45 minutes early but had no gate and took the grand tour; the door opened five minutes early anyway.
#723
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
AA1633 LAX-DEN
A319/2A
7:20 p.m/2:25/Dinner
July 2017
PDBs offered; warm nuts to accompany the Jean-Louis sparkling wine. Not overly sweet; the split was enough for two glasses. Hot towels followed.
Chicken with vegetables was my choice. Grilled chicken breast with a smear of pesto on top, green beans, kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes. The chicken was fine; this was a carb-haters dream! Salad with a lettuce mix and sliced radishes and olive oil/vinegar dressing and a pass from the bread basket (sourdough [my choice], wheat or cheese)/butter completed the meal. The other choice was a vegetarian curry with vegetables and couscous. I did not see it served in my row.
After dinner warm, chocolate chip cookies appeared, along with a coffee/Bailey's. A generous double was a nice touch (the second one went in my bag). Very nice service.
A319/2A
7:20 p.m/2:25/Dinner
July 2017
PDBs offered; warm nuts to accompany the Jean-Louis sparkling wine. Not overly sweet; the split was enough for two glasses. Hot towels followed.
Chicken with vegetables was my choice. Grilled chicken breast with a smear of pesto on top, green beans, kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes. The chicken was fine; this was a carb-haters dream! Salad with a lettuce mix and sliced radishes and olive oil/vinegar dressing and a pass from the bread basket (sourdough [my choice], wheat or cheese)/butter completed the meal. The other choice was a vegetarian curry with vegetables and couscous. I did not see it served in my row.
After dinner warm, chocolate chip cookies appeared, along with a coffee/Bailey's. A generous double was a nice touch (the second one went in my bag). Very nice service.
#725
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: PNW
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,553
i might be the minority with this but I appreciate AA serving protein-heavy / carb-less entrees. When adding the bread and dessert, this meal does not end up being very carb heavy like 99% of all airline meals.
I wish more airlines served more hot carb-less entrees.
I wish more airlines served more hot carb-less entrees.
#726
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,420
JFK-SFO in J
Smoked salmon appetizer was very generous. Was barely able to finish it. I'm a fan of the carrot miso salad dressing.
Had the mahi mahi - piping hot and not overcooked! ^
Sauce was a bit the heavy side and barley fried rice was just weird.
Smoked salmon appetizer was very generous. Was barely able to finish it. I'm a fan of the carrot miso salad dressing.
Had the mahi mahi - piping hot and not overcooked! ^
Sauce was a bit the heavy side and barley fried rice was just weird.
#727
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: 5,915
-FlyerBeek
#728
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
Haven't personally seen it on AA so I would assume it's relatively new. It's definitely not an improvement though. A local bar pours this as its well sparkling and it's absolute crap. More than two glasses and you'll regret your decision.
#729
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 743
Me too. Some of us are on carb restricted diets. And unfortunately AA's diabetic meal is too carb heavy for a diabetic.
#730
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,296
It is indeed a different option than the last one. Personally I thought the previous option was really sweet so this is an improvement for my taste buds.
#731
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
Being a "blanc de blancs" this sparkling wine will be on the drier side.
You can even buy it for $3.49 a bottle. I wouldn't hesitate to take some on a picnic or to an outdoor concert.
You can even buy it for $3.49 a bottle. I wouldn't hesitate to take some on a picnic or to an outdoor concert.
#732
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
I've never actually been served a bottle of the sparkling wine whist in my seat. Then again, I usually for a mimosa on my early morning connecting flights for vacation, so the FA just brings it in a glass to my seat. It seems to be a popular early morning drink on vacation flights as they tend to run out of the sparkling wine pretty quickly. In fact, there was none at all avail on my CUN-CLT flight earlier this month as it had all been consumed on the incoming CLT-CUN flight.
#733
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
#734
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: BA Gold, QF Platinum, SQ Silver
Posts: 298
Flying LAX-SEA departure 4:47pm in a few weeks time and reservation says "dinner". No online reservation available so I assume that this option isn't there for American Eagle regional flights? Does anyone know what kind of dinner I can expect- do I still get to choose between two but on the flight? Is it similar stuff from the main line airline or is it some toned down version? Flight duration is 2h 53m so I would think there's definitely a proper meal, hope I'm not wrong there...
#735
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: 5,915
Technically speaking, the fact that it's classified as brut is what makes it on the drier side. There are sweeter Blanc de Blancs styles at Extra Dry, Sec, Demi Sec, and even the Doux levels of sweetness. Being a "blanc de blancs" simply means it's produced only from white grapes (typically from Chardonnay in the case of Champagne).
-FlyerBeek