Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > American Airlines | AAdvantage
Reload this Page >

2017 Combined AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Dec 31, 2016, 10:45 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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.
Print Wikipost

2017 Combined AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 4, 2017, 2:07 am
  #796  
Hilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,531
AA1814, CLT-SAT, 1825-2021





AA1573, SAT-ORD, 0810-1102

florens is offline  
Old Aug 4, 2017, 2:28 am
  #797  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SF + PHX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, X Elite+
Posts: 262
Originally Posted by OneWorldSapphire
I have the same menu on my upcoming LAX-DFW flight and am having a hard time deciding. I've seen more recent pictures of the salad, with mixed reviews (some seem to love it, some loathe it), but have also seen some images of the enchiladas with awful reviews (although the enchilada images were from over a year ago, it's described in awful terms on a few blogs 'crunchy' 'dry', etc.). I can't find anything more recent on that option.
If I could figure out how to post pictures, I would regale you with one of the "salad" -- 2 pieces of lettuce, a quarter cup of rice, and a few of the other listed veg. Served with a side of corn salad.

My take? If you want 3 shrimp, go for it. Just don't expect a salad, or to automatically like the rest of your plate.
Kreative03 is offline  
Old Aug 4, 2017, 5:21 am
  #798  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 579
Originally Posted by Kreative03
If I could figure out how to post pictures, I would regale you with one of the "salad" -- 2 pieces of lettuce, a quarter cup of rice, and a few of the other listed veg. Served with a side of corn salad.

My take? If you want 3 shrimp, go for it. Just don't expect a salad, or to automatically like the rest of your plate.
It's funny how we all visualize things differently. It's advertised as a pasta salad with shrimp, and with the exception of the rice reference (???), what you described sounds really typical of what I expect from a pasta salad. Plating on a couple pieces of lettuce, some veg mixed in, and a protein you can put on top (or cut up and mix in).

The corn salad appetizer, OTOH, is perfectly non-offensive to me, but has to be my least favorite starter AA has running on the domestic menu might now. I don't think an appetizer has to be meat or can't be a salad of some sort, but this thing is a bowl full of MEH. Again though, that's just my taste.
BWISkyGuy is offline  
Old Aug 4, 2017, 11:12 am
  #799  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 213
Originally Posted by Kreative03
If I could figure out how to post pictures, I would regale you with one of the "salad" -- 2 pieces of lettuce, a quarter cup of rice, and a few of the other listed veg. Served with a side of corn salad.

My take? If you want 3 shrimp, go for it. Just don't expect a salad, or to automatically like the rest of your plate.
Who needs pictures, when you paint such a vivid image?! Sounds like I'd still be quite hungry after that 'salad'. The corn salad thing sounds awful to me. Any chance the Red Sauce Cheese Enchiladas were being served on this flight, and you caught a glimpse? If so, how did they look?
OneWorldSapphire is offline  
Old Aug 4, 2017, 8:21 pm
  #800  
Hilton Contributor BadgeMarriott Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
Looks like DFW-Hawaii and back definitely have 3 different entree choices now.
HNL might. At least as of Sunday, OGG did not.
Beltway2A is offline  
Old Aug 5, 2017, 2:30 am
  #801  
Suspended
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Originally Posted by Beltway2A
HNL might. At least as of Sunday, OGG did not.
Boo
AANYC1981 is offline  
Old Aug 5, 2017, 5:31 am
  #802  
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: PVD, BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,664
07/25/2017

PVD-PHL (6AM)
PDB and drink service. No snacks.

PHL-PHX (9 AM) -- Breakfast
PDB and drink service. No snacks.

Cheese omelette with sausage and roast potatoes.

Steel cut oatmeal with fresh fruit.

Omelette was decent. Potatoes were mushy. Choice of breakfast pastry. Mini chocolate croissant was not very good.

PHX-CLT (2PM) -- Lunch
PDB and nuts served. EXCELLENT FA in J. Very attentive and friendly.

Niçoise salad without tuna. Lettuce, grilled asparagus, tomatoes, hard boiled egg, grilled chicken.

Poblano relleno (cheese filled).

Got the salad, which was very good. Veggies were very good quality and tomatoes were excellent. Warm rolls were very good.

CLT-PVD (10PM)
PDB and drink service with snack basket.

Had some pretty good kettle corn.
swingaling is offline  
Old Aug 5, 2017, 9:32 am
  #803  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
Does anyone know why phx-dfw flights don't get meals? I have to think some of the pictures I'm seeing here of full meals are on flights of the same, even less, duration than phx-dfw and yet it's only a snack.
enviroian is offline  
Old Aug 5, 2017, 9:42 am
  #804  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Originally Posted by enviroian
Does anyone know why phx-dfw flights don't get meals? I have to think some of the pictures I'm seeing here of full meals are on flights of the same, even less, duration than phx-dfw and yet it's only a snack.
Take a look at the wiki (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showwiki.php?t=1812018) in this thread:
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


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
JonNYC is offline  
Old Aug 5, 2017, 10:29 am
  #805  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
Originally Posted by JonNYC
Take a look at the wiki (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showwiki.php?t=1812018) in this thread:
Thanks
enviroian is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2017, 12:18 am
  #806  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SF + PHX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, X Elite+
Posts: 262
Originally Posted by OneWorldSapphire
Who needs pictures, when you paint such a vivid image?! Sounds like I'd still be quite hungry after that 'salad'. The corn salad thing sounds awful to me. Any chance the Red Sauce Cheese Enchiladas were being served on this flight, and you caught a glimpse? If so, how did they look?
Miscater of lasagna. The meal did not match the menu sheet.
Kreative03 is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2017, 12:24 am
  #807  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SF + PHX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, X Elite+
Posts: 262
Originally Posted by BWISkyGuy
It's funny how we all visualize things differently. It's advertised as a pasta salad with shrimp, and with the exception of the rice reference (???), what you described sounds really typical of what I expect from a pasta salad. Plating on a couple pieces of lettuce, some veg mixed in, and a protein you can put on top (or cut up and mix in).

The corn salad appetizer, OTOH, is perfectly non-offensive to me, but has to be my least favorite starter AA has running on the domestic menu might now. I don't think an appetizer has to be meat or can't be a salad of some sort, but this thing is a bowl full of MEH. Again though, that's just my taste.
I don't disagree. However, it wasn't described to me as a pasta salad, but as a salad-salad. Had I understood properly I likely would have had a different expectation of the dish. The orzo tasted more like rice than pasta, but one is never sure if these things.

And I'm not entirely pro/against the corn salad/slaw, but given the density of the salad, the corn was just overload.
Kreative03 is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2017, 4:36 am
  #808  
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Programs: DL-Platinum / AS-PlatPro / Hyatt - Glob / Hilton-Diamond
Posts: 1,573
Originally Posted by JonNYC
Take a look at the wiki (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showwiki.php?t=1812018) in this thread:
With all due respect (and I do respect & appreciate your contributions here ), your posting the current specs does nothing to appease me. With PHX-DFW being my #1 route many years before the HP takeover of AA, I miss the full meal service on pmAA. Today's little cheese or hummus/chick salad plate is far better than the "Lite Bites" we had for awhile, but is a far cry from what I was accustomed to. As someone who buys (discounted) F on 80% of my travels (and on my own dime), I'm disgusted at the offerings. Yea, 3rd world problems (I totally agree) but seriously, what does a full meal tray costs them vs the snack plate when I'm paying at least 3x the ticket price of coach ??? On a hub-to-hub route nonetheless.

My #1 route is PHX to DFW/AUS (actual destination central Texas)
This year, # of trips on AA ? One. Period (from a 5+ year Exec Plat). It was PHX to LAS to catch VX LAS to DAL (sadly, the last such VX flight is Aug26).
All TX trips this year have been on Delta (via ATL) or drive/fly to LAS or LAX to catch VX. Yea, most here are saying "WTH ?". But it's my money and my (semi-retired) time, so I voted with my wallet. Parker has lost how many $600 tickets from me to save $3. I'm sure other passengers more than make up for this loss.

I've had 2 calls/voice messages this year from "Exec Plat Liaison Desk" (or something like that) asking if there's "something wrong with my account" and to call back. I've ignored them. Seriously, email is my contact, not phone (the 1990's were a looong time ago). And it's not "my acct", it's "your cheap airline".
steve64 is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2017, 5:23 am
  #809  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,007
OKC-CLT lunch Friday (on a CRJ900):

Choice of a "wrap" or a "salad." I had the wrap and it was underwhelming. No meat, just quinoa, some sort of cheese and tomatoes. Served with a small side salad and chocolate cheesecake. The chocolate cheesecake was excellent, but the rest of the meal not so much.

Also of note: the flight attendant passed around the snack basket before lunch, as well. Usually we don't get the snack basket on OKC-CLT, just the cold meal.
wahooflyer is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2017, 9:06 am
  #810  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
Originally Posted by steve64
With all due respect (and I do respect & appreciate your contributions here ), your posting the current specs does nothing to appease me. With PHX-DFW being my #1 route many years before the HP takeover of AA, I miss the full meal service on pmAA. Today's little cheese or hummus/chick salad plate is far better than the "Lite Bites" we had for awhile, but is a far cry from what I was accustomed to. As someone who buys (discounted) F on 80% of my travels (and on my own dime), I'm disgusted at the offerings. Yea, 3rd world problems (I totally agree) but seriously, what does a full meal tray costs them vs the snack plate when I'm paying at least 3x the ticket price of coach ??? On a hub-to-hub route nonetheless.

My #1 route is PHX to DFW/AUS (actual destination central Texas)
This year, # of trips on AA ? One. Period (from a 5+ year Exec Plat). It was PHX to LAS to catch VX LAS to DAL (sadly, the last such VX flight is Aug26).
All TX trips this year have been on Delta (via ATL) or drive/fly to LAS or LAX to catch VX. Yea, most here are saying "WTH ?". But it's my money and my (semi-retired) time, so I voted with my wallet. Parker has lost how many $600 tickets from me to save $3. I'm sure other passengers more than make up for this loss.

I've had 2 calls/voice messages this year from "Exec Plat Liaison Desk" (or something like that) asking if there's "something wrong with my account" and to call back. I've ignored them. Seriously, email is my contact, not phone (the 1990's were a looong time ago). And it's not "my acct", it's "your cheap airline".
That's exactly what was offered yesterday. While the flight attendant was wonderful I agree this flight needs a dedicated meal.
enviroian is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.