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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#1126
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: UA, AA, DL, WN, HHonors Diamond, Marriott
Posts: 76
AA 171 JFK-LAX 0600AM flight A321T
First Class
Seat 5A
PDB AA JFK-LAX
Starter beverage with mini biscotti
Menu, Some things on menu were never presented like the Fresh Start Smoothie, dessert tart, warm cookies
I chose the eggs, had a Spanish-type flavor not too spicy kick to them
First Class
Seat 5A
PDB AA JFK-LAX
Starter beverage with mini biscotti
Menu, Some things on menu were never presented like the Fresh Start Smoothie, dessert tart, warm cookies
I chose the eggs, had a Spanish-type flavor not too spicy kick to them
#1127
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
Between the missing courses, the biscuit on the tray, and the dry appearance to the blob of entree, that meal looks awful.
#1128
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: UA, AA, DL, WN, HHonors Diamond, Marriott
Posts: 76
The meal itself was actually good. There was no bread plate or doily thing the FA just put it on the linen, crumbs everywhere . Ironically, I think the same thing happened on the return also, the FA just put the roll on the linen.
If you thought this meal was awful wait til you see the return LAX-JFK.
If you thought this meal was awful wait til you see the return LAX-JFK.
#1129
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Glad you enjoyed the meal kr777, but it looks totally pAAthetic. Not even an effort at a decent presentation. This looks bad even for a regular domestic F breakfast, but for Flagship, this is pretty low. I guess AA thinks people will dine in the Lounge and forego the onboard meal entirely?
#1130
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
In Business they at least used to serve the biscotti in a ramekin like the nuts are put in.
#1131
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
This HAS to be a miscater. I would guess that F was catered with J class meals. The missing courses that are typically served in F only, the lack of a separate bread plate, what looks like a missing metal silverwear bond, the missing salt and pepper shakers, etc.
#1132
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
AA 2535
DFW-ORD
14:59 departure
LAA 738 with AVOD
First Class
Choice of either a) fruit and cheese plate, or b) antipasto plate.
Ordered the antipasto plate. The portion was very small--there was one piece of prosciutto and three pieces of salami along with a dollop of parmesan cheese. There were flatbed crackers and a chocolate square, too. This wasn't the most filling snack (the cheese plate might have been more substantial), but it was delicious. I would get it again.
There was also a very drinkable red wine on offer. I did not catch the name of it, though.
DFW-ORD
14:59 departure
LAA 738 with AVOD
First Class
Choice of either a) fruit and cheese plate, or b) antipasto plate.
Ordered the antipasto plate. The portion was very small--there was one piece of prosciutto and three pieces of salami along with a dollop of parmesan cheese. There were flatbed crackers and a chocolate square, too. This wasn't the most filling snack (the cheese plate might have been more substantial), but it was delicious. I would get it again.
There was also a very drinkable red wine on offer. I did not catch the name of it, though.
#1133
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: AS GOLD
Posts: 403
Lax-mia aa2385
Reserve a meal options finally come out for this flight. This is for departing next week. Any suggestion?
#1134
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: UA, AA, DL, WN, HHonors Diamond, Marriott
Posts: 76
AA 171 LAX-JFK 1045am Departure A321T
Seat 5F First Class
Catering was not normal due to the listeria issues with the caterer.
No menus
The 3 options were:
Turkey & Cheese Wrap
Hot Chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans
Cold Chicken Nicoise Salad
All options came with the large prepackaged salad.
I chose the cold chicken option, as hot chicken ran out. (Sorry, I had already started eating salad before I took picture)
Dessert: New York Cheesecake
Seat 5F First Class
Catering was not normal due to the listeria issues with the caterer.
No menus
The 3 options were:
Turkey & Cheese Wrap
Hot Chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans
Cold Chicken Nicoise Salad
All options came with the large prepackaged salad.
I chose the cold chicken option, as hot chicken ran out. (Sorry, I had already started eating salad before I took picture)
Dessert: New York Cheesecake
#1135
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
This is mind boggling that a month into a supply issue at one of the biggest airports in the world they are serving this crap, that to in in F!!!
Maybe this is a Conspiracy by AA management to see just how cheap they could get without losing any customers.
Maybe this is a Conspiracy by AA management to see just how cheap they could get without losing any customers.
#1137
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SF + PHX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, X Elite+
Posts: 262
Is there a thread or link where the monthly buy on board menu is posted?
#1138
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Transcon Breakfast Advice
Here are the choices for an upcoming transcon flight, JFK-LAX, in F. Is there a kind soul out there who can offer some advice? Does one have to be super brave to order Shrimp Toast? Am I better off ordering the Ted Kennedy breakfast special, aka Bloody Mary with five olives?
Reserve a meal
Flights
JFK to LAX
- Choose breakfast for for JFK to LAX
- Choose breakfast for for JFK to LAX
Breakfast meals
- Choose later Choose later selected for for JFK to LAX
- Scrambled Eggs Scrambled Eggs selected for JFK to LAX
cream cheese, chives, chorizo oats, chicken sausage, Cotija cheese, cilantro crema - Banana Bread French Toast Banana Bread French Toast selected for JFK to LAX
berry compote, bourbon vanilla sauce - Avocado Shrimp Toast Avocado Shrimp Toast selected for JFK to LAX
blistered cherry tomatoes, baby arugula
#1139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
#1140
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
I'm doing a quick, same-day turn at JFK, after arriving on the red-eye from PHX. If all is on schedule, I will definitely enter First Dining as I've only been there once before. Hope to use those upscale showers again in the FL as well.
Like you, I like to check out the F service from AA to see if the product matches the advertising hype, unless I'm lucky enough to sleep.
Thanks for the advice.