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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Oct 3, 2017, 9:38 am
#1006
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
Yeah, didn't think that it was. Pre-order menu was clearly wrong. In the future I would definitely have to do the curry dish as the chicken was just tragic.
Oct 3, 2017, 10:05 am
#1007
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Definitely not the herbs d'p chicken, which is decent. What you had looks like a catering quality control issue. The curry on the other hand is one of AA's better options and my go to when available.
Oct 3, 2017, 2:03 pm
#1008
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Miami, Florida, USA
Posts: 213
BWI-MIA
AA1049
"Dinner"
Haven't been taking lots of meal photos on domestic airlines anymore seeing as how not much has changed in years, but this one was notably terrible. Listed on the pre-order menu as "herbes de provence" chicken, which I remember from a long time ago as being different, this was probably the worst dinner meal I've ever had on AA (or any domestic F to be honest).
Basically a 3oz piece of boiled chicken breast sitting atop a few green beans. Completely flavorless, don't let the off-centered pool of green paste trick you into thinking it was some kind of sauce, it may as well have been green food coloring. Salad was so shredded and torn apart it was difficult to eat, especially in those stupid salad dishes they have that tip all over the tray when you're attempting to spear pieces of lettuce that happen to not be in the center of the dish. Bread was bread, nothing notable.
AA1049
"Dinner"
Haven't been taking lots of meal photos on domestic airlines anymore seeing as how not much has changed in years, but this one was notably terrible. Listed on the pre-order menu as "herbes de provence" chicken, which I remember from a long time ago as being different, this was probably the worst dinner meal I've ever had on AA (or any domestic F to be honest).
Basically a 3oz piece of boiled chicken breast sitting atop a few green beans. Completely flavorless, don't let the off-centered pool of green paste trick you into thinking it was some kind of sauce, it may as well have been green food coloring. Salad was so shredded and torn apart it was difficult to eat, especially in those stupid salad dishes they have that tip all over the tray when you're attempting to spear pieces of lettuce that happen to not be in the center of the dish. Bread was bread, nothing notable.
Oct 3, 2017, 5:13 pm
#1009
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
Just to indicate that it is AA's October pink/BC awareness time.
This year, they decided to add a different beverage than previous years:
http://www.dpsgproductfacts.com/en/p...Y_GINGER_ALE_8
This beverage is pretty high in calories (140 per 12 oz) and appears to be $1 in Main Cabin (card only of course). I assume it is free in first class?
Rasheed
This year, they decided to add a different beverage than previous years:
http://www.dpsgproductfacts.com/en/p...Y_GINGER_ALE_8
This beverage is pretty high in calories (140 per 12 oz) and appears to be $1 in Main Cabin (card only of course). I assume it is free in first class?
Rasheed
Oct 3, 2017, 7:15 pm
#1010
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM/AA Gold & 1MM/HH Gold/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,924
Choices for PHX-JFK:
Cheese Cappelletti roasted garlic artichoke sauce
Grilled Chicken couscous, roasted vegetables, roasted garlic sauce
Any advice? AA must have bought garlic futures...
Cheese Cappelletti roasted garlic artichoke sauce
Grilled Chicken couscous, roasted vegetables, roasted garlic sauce
Any advice? AA must have bought garlic futures...
Oct 3, 2017, 7:47 pm
#1011
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,978
Neither will be fabulous. The chicken will probably be decent. The pasta will be very heavy and largely flavorless. Hope for a decent appetizer and dessert.
Oct 3, 2017, 8:06 pm
#1012
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
That chicken is actually the flavorless dish....go with the pasta if you’re not watching your waistline and want flavor.
Oct 3, 2017, 10:33 pm
#1013
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
BWI-MIA
AA1049
"Dinner"
Basically a 3oz piece of boiled chicken breast sitting atop a few green beans. Completely flavorless, don't let the off-centered pool of green paste trick you into thinking it was some kind of sauce, it may as well have been green food coloring. Salad was so shredded and torn apart it was difficult to eat, especially in those stupid salad dishes they have that tip all over the tray when you're attempting to spear pieces of lettuce that happen to not be in the center of the dish. Bread was bread, nothing notable.
And that was pretty much it. No starch of any kind. Very glad this was a short flight and there was a Centurion Lounge immediately following because I was starving after eating my ration of chicken and green beans on board. Would it kill them to add a little rice or pasta or something to this?
The other option was some kind of a coconut curry vegetable dish wish may have been the better option. Unfortunately there were none in sight to assess. Absolutely avoid this chicken dish if at all possible. Tasteless and completely unsatisfying.
The post-dinner cookie was good though. Service was adequate but unmemorable.
AA1049
"Dinner"
Basically a 3oz piece of boiled chicken breast sitting atop a few green beans. Completely flavorless, don't let the off-centered pool of green paste trick you into thinking it was some kind of sauce, it may as well have been green food coloring. Salad was so shredded and torn apart it was difficult to eat, especially in those stupid salad dishes they have that tip all over the tray when you're attempting to spear pieces of lettuce that happen to not be in the center of the dish. Bread was bread, nothing notable.
And that was pretty much it. No starch of any kind. Very glad this was a short flight and there was a Centurion Lounge immediately following because I was starving after eating my ration of chicken and green beans on board. Would it kill them to add a little rice or pasta or something to this?
The other option was some kind of a coconut curry vegetable dish wish may have been the better option. Unfortunately there were none in sight to assess. Absolutely avoid this chicken dish if at all possible. Tasteless and completely unsatisfying.
The post-dinner cookie was good though. Service was adequate but unmemorable.
Oct 4, 2017, 12:15 am
#1014
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
Even with the cuts at AA (although some of the meal options are still pretty good since they restored some of the service after people freaked out post merger) - I was shocked at what Delta tried to call a long midcon dinner service not too long ago (SLC-CLT, 4 hours). All on one tray, very small salmon entree with veggies, some cheese/fruit, packaged cold hard roll and packaged cookie. No warmed nuts, no ice cream or separate dessert, no salad, no shrimp or other appetizer - it was pathetic. No other snacks served later. And I prefer the AA plated snacks to the dreaded basket on the shorter range or late flights that Delta has. United has just started cutting back, removing hot entrees at lunch and overall choices.
The only carriers with consistently good domestic F food service are Jet Blue and Virgin, and Virgin is going away (too bad, because AS F food is horrible)
Last edited by lds89; Oct 4, 2017 at 12:21 am
Oct 4, 2017, 1:59 am
#1015
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DFW or Somewhere Else
Programs: UA Plt /Delta DM/ Marriott Platinum Prem./Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Globalist /Hertz PS / National EE
Posts: 1,107
This. Grass isn't always greener.
Even with the cuts at AA (although some of the meal options are still pretty good since they restored some of the service after people freaked out post merger) - I was shocked at what Delta tried to call a long midcon dinner service not too long ago (SLC-CLT, 4 hours). All on one tray, very small salmon entree with veggies, some cheese/fruit, packaged cold hard roll and packaged cookie. No warmed nuts, no ice cream or separate dessert, no salad, no shrimp or other appetizer - it was pathetic. No other snacks served later. And I prefer the AA plated snacks to the dreaded basket on the shorter range or late flights that Delta has. United has just started cutting back, removing hot entrees at lunch and overall choices.
The only carriers with consistently good domestic F food service are Jet Blue and Virgin, and Virgin is going away (too bad, because AS F food is horrible)
Even with the cuts at AA (although some of the meal options are still pretty good since they restored some of the service after people freaked out post merger) - I was shocked at what Delta tried to call a long midcon dinner service not too long ago (SLC-CLT, 4 hours). All on one tray, very small salmon entree with veggies, some cheese/fruit, packaged cold hard roll and packaged cookie. No warmed nuts, no ice cream or separate dessert, no salad, no shrimp or other appetizer - it was pathetic. No other snacks served later. And I prefer the AA plated snacks to the dreaded basket on the shorter range or late flights that Delta has. United has just started cutting back, removing hot entrees at lunch and overall choices.
The only carriers with consistently good domestic F food service are Jet Blue and Virgin, and Virgin is going away (too bad, because AS F food is horrible)
Oct 4, 2017, 8:31 am
#1016
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
This. Grass isn't always greener.
Even with the cuts at AA (although some of the meal options are still pretty good since they restored some of the service after people freaked out post merger) - I was shocked at what Delta tried to call a long midcon dinner service not too long ago (SLC-CLT, 4 hours). All on one tray, very small salmon entree with veggies, some cheese/fruit, packaged cold hard roll and packaged cookie. No warmed nuts, no ice cream or separate dessert, no salad, no shrimp or other appetizer - it was pathetic. No other snacks served later. And I prefer the AA plated snacks to the dreaded basket on the shorter range or late flights that Delta has. United has just started cutting back, removing hot entrees at lunch and overall choices.
The only carriers with consistently good domestic F food service are Jet Blue and Virgin, and Virgin is going away (too bad, because AS F food is horrible)
Even with the cuts at AA (although some of the meal options are still pretty good since they restored some of the service after people freaked out post merger) - I was shocked at what Delta tried to call a long midcon dinner service not too long ago (SLC-CLT, 4 hours). All on one tray, very small salmon entree with veggies, some cheese/fruit, packaged cold hard roll and packaged cookie. No warmed nuts, no ice cream or separate dessert, no salad, no shrimp or other appetizer - it was pathetic. No other snacks served later. And I prefer the AA plated snacks to the dreaded basket on the shorter range or late flights that Delta has. United has just started cutting back, removing hot entrees at lunch and overall choices.
The only carriers with consistently good domestic F food service are Jet Blue and Virgin, and Virgin is going away (too bad, because AS F food is horrible)
My longest flights this year with DL are the redeye SLC to BOS service. My most frequent route this year with DL is BOS to LGA and RIC. There is no difference in meal service between SLC to BOS and BOS to LGA/RIC. Both are snack baskets. Red-eye or not, the meal service for a four hour flight should be different from a one hour flight.
DL's route network and ops have been great for me, but it's not been a great year for meal service.
Oct 4, 2017, 4:08 pm
#1017
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
AA 955 RDU-MIA 0715-0927 737-800
No PDB
Not bad I guess and better than nothing but still pretty lame, especially compared to what this route used to get. Terrible service too, no refills, no PDBs, obviously angry to be at work etc. f/as
No PDB
Not bad I guess and better than nothing but still pretty lame, especially compared to what this route used to get. Terrible service too, no refills, no PDBs, obviously angry to be at work etc. f/as
Oct 4, 2017, 9:09 pm
#1018
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 29
Have the short haul domestic F options changed? There used to be an option of antipasto/cheese plate or hummus/cheese plate that came with pita bread. Now it's smaller portions and packaged crackers. The last few haven't had the mixed nuts either, which I'd more often rather have than the 'lite bite' option.
These would be MCO-PHL/PHL-MCO or BOS-CLT, so ~700-800mi flights on mainline AA.
These would be MCO-PHL/PHL-MCO or BOS-CLT, so ~700-800mi flights on mainline AA.
Oct 8, 2017, 2:40 pm
#1019
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: PNW
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,552
I have four legs on AA in October: SEA-DFW-HNL and back. Here are the options I have for each flight...what do you recommend? 
SEA-DFW (3pm-ish dep)
Cheese Cappelletti
roasted garlic artichoke sauce
Grilled Chicken
couscous, roasted vegetables, roasted garlic sauce
DFW-HNL (9am-ish dep)
Cheese Lasagna
pomodoro tomato sauce, grilled vegetables
Shrimp with Red Panang Curry
With bamboo rice
Macadamia Crusted Chicken
coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas
HNL-DFW (5pm-ish dep)
Hoisin Glazed Beef Short Rib
With wasabi mashed potatoes, baby bok choy and baby carrots
Kabocha Shiitake Risotto
With sautéed kabocha squash and shiitake mushrooms
Ginger Garlic Glazed Salmon
kimchi pork fried rice, sugar snap peas, grilled onion
DFW-SEA (7am-ish dep)
Continental Fruit Plate
granola, vanilla Greek yogurt
Breakfast Sandwich
On a bistro bun with egg, Canadian turkey bacon, provolone and honey dijon mustard
SEA-DFW (3pm-ish dep)
Cheese Cappelletti
roasted garlic artichoke sauce
Grilled Chicken
couscous, roasted vegetables, roasted garlic sauce
DFW-HNL (9am-ish dep)
Cheese Lasagna
pomodoro tomato sauce, grilled vegetables
Shrimp with Red Panang Curry
With bamboo rice
Macadamia Crusted Chicken
coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas
HNL-DFW (5pm-ish dep)
Hoisin Glazed Beef Short Rib
With wasabi mashed potatoes, baby bok choy and baby carrots
Kabocha Shiitake Risotto
With sautéed kabocha squash and shiitake mushrooms
Ginger Garlic Glazed Salmon
kimchi pork fried rice, sugar snap peas, grilled onion
DFW-SEA (7am-ish dep)
Continental Fruit Plate
granola, vanilla Greek yogurt
Breakfast Sandwich
On a bistro bun with egg, Canadian turkey bacon, provolone and honey dijon mustard
interesting....description on the DFW-SEA slightly changed...it now says:
Fresh Seasonal Fruit Plate
Fresh Seasonal Fruit Plate
Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Canadian turkey bacon, provolone, honey Dijon mustard
so no more granola/yogurt???
Oct 9, 2017, 12:16 pm
#1020
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
Have the short haul domestic F options changed? There used to be an option of antipasto/cheese plate or hummus/cheese plate that came with pita bread. Now it's smaller portions and packaged crackers. The last few haven't had the mixed nuts either, which I'd more often rather have than the 'lite bite' option.
These would be MCO-PHL/PHL-MCO or BOS-CLT, so ~700-800mi flights on mainline AA.
These would be MCO-PHL/PHL-MCO or BOS-CLT, so ~700-800mi flights on mainline AA.