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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#1096
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: AS GOLD
Posts: 403
I have a redeye LAX-MIA in first - 2 class cabin only coming up. No food will be offer since it's a redeye right? Trying to pre-order meal. Only the second leg came up for pre-order.
#1097
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DCA
Programs: American AAdvantage EXP, World of Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Rewards Titanium, MGM Rewards Gold
Posts: 429
Warm nuts, beverages, and a cookie only. I have had some PMUS crews provide everyone in F a full large bottle of water on these cross country red eye flights before. Usually, most people sleep, so the cookies and nuts could be almost unlimited for you. YMMV.
#1098
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: AS GOLD
Posts: 403
ok thanks. I thought LAX-MIA is considered premium transcon. The service would be a step up. no biggie.
#1099
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DCA
Programs: American AAdvantage EXP, World of Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Rewards Titanium, MGM Rewards Gold
Posts: 429
#1100
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 34
Has anyone tried the new special meal options? I'm seeing avml as a pre order option in December and it's tempting...
#1101
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
No, it applies to all MIALAX flight regardless of equipment. If a 2 cabin plane, the F service is the same as J on a 3-cabin plane. Also, lounge access rules on MIALAX allow Flagship lounge (and even Qantas First lounge) when travelling in 2-class F.
#1102
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
Hi.
I don't think we have any recent commentary on main cabin BOB meals, but at some point, it appears that the meals that included a bag of chips (kettle style usually), lost the bag of chips, but the price did not drop.
I think this was pretty sneaky and totally unnecessary decision by AA F&B. I can't imagine people were saying no to the chips. Maybe if they were trying to reduce the value of the free meals for those who get it, but I have no idea. If someone made a thread about this, let me know.
If the meals were not profitable enough, raise the price. I don't understand how AA continues to underdeliver value versus other carriers in this area even on things that people pay for directly.
Rasheed
I don't think we have any recent commentary on main cabin BOB meals, but at some point, it appears that the meals that included a bag of chips (kettle style usually), lost the bag of chips, but the price did not drop.
I think this was pretty sneaky and totally unnecessary decision by AA F&B. I can't imagine people were saying no to the chips. Maybe if they were trying to reduce the value of the free meals for those who get it, but I have no idea. If someone made a thread about this, let me know.
If the meals were not profitable enough, raise the price. I don't understand how AA continues to underdeliver value versus other carriers in this area even on things that people pay for directly.
Rasheed
#1103
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: DL GM, AA PLAT, Hilton Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 256
You’re right. I noticed this as well a few months ago. Also, the sandwiches just look sad now. But I’m almost positive that the caterer is the one taking the majority of the risk with BoB products. I think AA gets a percentage of revenue based on sales.
#1104
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: AS GOLD
Posts: 403
thank you so much for this info. Our flight is at 12:30am. We will just head to Qantas F to have dinner there.
#1105
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
AA's BOB options are so pathetic compared to UA's, its not even funny. UA just introduced and omelette for breakfast, and continues to offer a delicious cheeseburger and Uno's pizza. Complimentary for 1K's, even. All I get on AA is a soggy sandwich. Pathetic.
#1106
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 480
AA 598
3:30 p.m. - 11:41 p.m.
LAX-PHL
A321
Pre orders were acknowledged. Open bar PDBs too. Food was decent - I've had better and worse.
Chicken with couscous
Cheese Cappelletti with roasted garlic artichoke sauce
3:30 p.m. - 11:41 p.m.
LAX-PHL
A321
Pre orders were acknowledged. Open bar PDBs too. Food was decent - I've had better and worse.
Chicken with couscous
Cheese Cappelletti with roasted garlic artichoke sauce
#1107
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Pre-order menu options for DFW-YYZ
.
.
#1108
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Explat / UA Silver
Posts: 600
I made the mistake of ordering the orzo because I thought it would be higher protein / healthier on LGA-DFW last week. Bad move. Enchilada may be a calorie bomb, but at the very least edible.
Shrimp tasted rancid, and orzo was literally just orzo with salad dressing (on the side).
#1109
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
I made the mistake of ordering the orzo because I thought it would be higher protein / healthier on LGA-DFW last week. Bad move. Enchilada may be a calorie bomb, but at the very least edible.
Shrimp tasted rancid, and orzo was literally just orzo with salad dressing (on the side).
Shrimp tasted rancid, and orzo was literally just orzo with salad dressing (on the side).
Now I avoid all hot and cold versions of orzo or couscous dishes. Better to roll the dice with whatever the other option(s) is/are.
#1110
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
THIS. I only made this mistake once and have done my best to avoid all AA dishes with couscous/orzo ever since. Some of the worst food I've ever been served in the sky.