AA LAX Catering Issues Late 2017 (Listeria 1 Nov 2017)
Nov 9, 2017, 12:09 pm
#256
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Shouldn't be but as I recall most airlines move booze between the system on their carts and don't source EVERY item in the beverage list at outstations with local catering. Yes it's odd but things like the wine selection AA has is likely sourced in the US and pushed to outstation catering through AA flights and in some cases on the same carts that GG services in LAX. You would think though that AA would have asked for temporary backups sourced local - but the way most catering vendors run slim stocks that may not have been possible. E.g I'm pretty sure Cathay Pacific catering in HK doesn't stock Tito's Vodka for any of their airlines - so if something was pushed form the DFW through catering and then went LAX to HKG that's what will be on the cart vs zero ability to source that from the local supplier.
Nov 9, 2017, 12:23 pm
#257
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
Shouldn't be but as I recall most airlines move booze between the system on their carts and don't source EVERY item in the beverage list at outstations with local catering. Yes it's odd but things like the wine selection AA has is likely sourced in the US and pushed to outstation catering through AA flights and in some cases on the same carts that GG services in LAX. You would think though that AA would have asked for temporary backups sourced local - but the way most catering vendors run slim stocks that may not have been possible. E.g I'm pretty sure Cathay Pacific catering in HK doesn't stock Tito's Vodka for any of their airlines - so if something was pushed form the DFW through catering and then went LAX to HKG that's what will be on the cart vs zero ability to source that from the local supplier.
i.e. How Etihad can serve Al Ain water on all of their flights ex-USA even though it's water bottled in the UAE. You'd think they'd just have local catering provide Crystal Geyser or something versus carry over Al Ain Water bottles on their flights INTO the USA.
Nov 9, 2017, 2:30 pm
#258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Great info! I've always wondered how they source catering items at outstations.
i.e. How Etihad can serve Al Ain water on all of their flights ex-USA even though it's water bottled in the UAE. You'd think they'd just have local catering provide Crystal Geyser or something versus carry over Al Ain Water bottles on their flights INTO the USA.
i.e. How Etihad can serve Al Ain water on all of their flights ex-USA even though it's water bottled in the UAE. You'd think they'd just have local catering provide Crystal Geyser or something versus carry over Al Ain Water bottles on their flights INTO the USA.
Nov 9, 2017, 6:23 pm
#260
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Platinum, Alaska 75K MVP
Posts: 21
maybe... maybe not
Guess I'll know for sure in 15 hours or so
Nov 10, 2017, 12:35 am
#261
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,059
11/9 - LaX—ATL redeye: Received $50 voucher in advance. While boarding there were cans of soda and bottles of water, chips, cookies, granola bars etc for all pax to grab and go free
In the J cabin it had just the domestic thin blanket and no pillow - not a duvet (not sure if this is normal but usually redeye J/F domestic I see a duvet and pillow)
PDB SERVED! Though I didn’t have one. In flight FAs came around with cold Turkey and Cheese or Ham and Cheese sandwiches then Bags of chips and bags of famous Amos cookies in the snack basket. Cabin was stocked with beverages including gin and tonics and wine. Limited supply though. No lime or lemons.
Considering this flight I think only serves warm nuts and cookie (is that right for “refreshments”) - I was happy. The warm cookie and nuts are such simple luxuries but the Sandwhich was good and the tomato inside tasted fresh, albeit the thing was a little squished.
The FAs were very attentive, apologized for the confusion (they had not been notified) but one mentioned how it reminded them of when the NYC catering in the 1970s had been shut down by the health department? Anyone recall that?
All in all this met my expectations between the voucher and provided snacks - yet I am surprised things are not back to normal.
In the J cabin it had just the domestic thin blanket and no pillow - not a duvet (not sure if this is normal but usually redeye J/F domestic I see a duvet and pillow)
PDB SERVED! Though I didn’t have one. In flight FAs came around with cold Turkey and Cheese or Ham and Cheese sandwiches then Bags of chips and bags of famous Amos cookies in the snack basket. Cabin was stocked with beverages including gin and tonics and wine. Limited supply though. No lime or lemons.
Considering this flight I think only serves warm nuts and cookie (is that right for “refreshments”) - I was happy. The warm cookie and nuts are such simple luxuries but the Sandwhich was good and the tomato inside tasted fresh, albeit the thing was a little squished.
The FAs were very attentive, apologized for the confusion (they had not been notified) but one mentioned how it reminded them of when the NYC catering in the 1970s had been shut down by the health department? Anyone recall that?
All in all this met my expectations between the voucher and provided snacks - yet I am surprised things are not back to normal.
Last edited by fotoflyer88; Nov 10, 2017 at 4:06 am
Nov 10, 2017, 11:56 am
#262
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 473
On 169 right now, PDB choice of H20/OJ/Champagne, amenity kits in place, full size international duvet and pillow. Will report back once I'm on wifi in the air but so far no announcement of reduced service.
***Update***
Now in the air two meal choices of lasagna or beef. No lemons or limes, but two choices of champagne Lanson being offered during PDB, don't know yet what the second is.
***Update***
Now in the air two meal choices of lasagna or beef. No lemons or limes, but two choices of champagne Lanson being offered during PDB, don't know yet what the second is.
Last edited by ECKOA6; Nov 10, 2017 at 1:35 pm Reason: Updated
Nov 10, 2017, 3:53 pm
#265
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 10
My meal selection is still in the reservation so we'll see what happens. My backup plan was to find an EXP to guest me into the Qantas F lounge for dinner and bubbles. Crossing fingers.
Nov 10, 2017, 5:09 pm
#266
Join Date: May 2008
Location: USA
Programs: AA, BA, QR
Posts: 217
I'm on that flight in business and haven't received a voucher. Maybe you got mine?
My meal selection is still in the reservation so we'll see what happens. My backup plan was to find an EXP to guest me into the Qantas F lounge for dinner and bubbles. Crossing fingers.
My meal selection is still in the reservation so we'll see what happens. My backup plan was to find an EXP to guest me into the Qantas F lounge for dinner and bubbles. Crossing fingers.
Nov 10, 2017, 6:20 pm
#267
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Platinum, Alaska 75K MVP
Posts: 21
On 169 right now, PDB choice of H20/OJ/Champagne, amenity kits in place, full size international duvet and pillow. Will report back once I'm on wifi in the air but so far no announcement of reduced service.
***Update***
Now in the air two meal choices of lasagna or beef. No lemons or limes, but two choices of champagne Lanson being offered during PDB, don't know yet what the second is.
***Update***
Now in the air two meal choices of lasagna or beef. No lemons or limes, but two choices of champagne Lanson being offered during PDB, don't know yet what the second is.
It's been a while since I've flown AA to Asia since I normally take Cathay but I sure hope that was a downgraded meal. hate to think that's what they serve in J on a regular basis.
On the plus side the cabin crew has been very visible so far
Nov 10, 2017, 6:42 pm
#268
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 10
I wonder if the coach voucher with no j voucher means they might be prioritizing bringing j back to full service. An earlier post implied AKL would be downgraded til the 14th, though.
Nov 10, 2017, 6:52 pm
#269
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Valencia, Spain
Posts: 806
Was on LAX-HKG in J on Nov 08. If I hadn't known about the catering problem ahead of time due to reading here and receipt of $200 voucher day before, I would barely have noticed anything sub-standard. The only noticeable differences were:
- only two choices of dinner main - chicken or pasta
- only one red and one white wine
- mid-flight snacks displayed in the bar were cheese/fruit plates + packaged snacks; hot sandwich also available on request
Flight was full (in J and F, at least), and crew were great.
- only two choices of dinner main - chicken or pasta
- only one red and one white wine
- mid-flight snacks displayed in the bar were cheese/fruit plates + packaged snacks; hot sandwich also available on request
Flight was full (in J and F, at least), and crew were great.
Nov 10, 2017, 7:54 pm
#270
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
https://www.amazon.com/True-Lime-Dis...QAZ3JVG24WER68
Crystallized citrus in individual serving packets. Also available in lemon, orange and grapefruit. ^