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

ARCHIVE: 2018 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Jan 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: JDiver
AA/US Domestic Dining (including Canada, Mexico, & the Caribbean)


See here for the 2019 domestic meal thread.


Note: this thread is about meals served on domestic AA flights.

Link to Combined 2018 AA International Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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 2018 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

ARCHIVE: 2018 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 11, 2018, 4:17 pm
  #196  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
IHG Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
Originally Posted by anc-ord772






















Flew the route yesterday ROC-CLT-LAX. Arrived into E13 and departed out of B6. There was a lot of ramp traffic to the gate but had just enough time (so we thought) to find something to grab and go. There were long lines for most places, so we grabbed two pizzas and a salad from 1897 Market to eat onboard. In the end we boarded 15 minutes late due to a never explained reason.

CLT is... busy. Crowded everywhere and reminded us of LGA in some ways (low ceilings, cramped, bursting w ppl), except the main atrium which seemed quite nice. I see there is plenty of construction, so I'm sure it will all be nice at some point.

The flight was 5H 11M and the F meal service consisted of nuts and a tiny cheese or charcuterie plate. Not even a snack basket was offered. Super pathetic and AA is crazy to believe that is sufficient. The cabin also ran out of sparkling wine in the first round after takeoff, but that's not a deal breaker. The FAs were fine, service perfunctory.

Most domestic airlines aren't great, but I can't excuse the lack of power. I have an upcoming MIA-LAX and LAX-DCA in paid F, but after that I'll give more serious consideration to connecting or an inconvenient schedule on another airline over flying an AA transcon. Although who knows, those are meal flights and might have power outlets. All may be forgiven :-)

Thanks again folks!
It should be a dinner flight, your MIA-LAX will get a meal unless you are on the red eye,
FlightNurse is offline  
Old Mar 11, 2018, 4:53 pm
  #197  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
Originally Posted by FlightNurse
It should be a dinner flight, your MIA-LAX will get a meal unless you are on the red eye,
Both are meal flights. Only one may have power.
anc-ord772 is offline  
Old Mar 11, 2018, 5:45 pm
  #198  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,044
Originally Posted by SFO777
The stuffed peppers are disgusting... to look at, smell and taste.
i was hoping you could really tell us what you think.
enviroian is online now  
Old Mar 11, 2018, 5:56 pm
  #199  
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Originally Posted by AANYC1981
Just wow. I flew Alaska SNA-SJC yesterday and I was shocked, because they served breakfast. On a forty five minute flight! On an RJ! It wasn’t huge - a cinnamon scone I think - but it was plated and warmed up. Again, 45 minute flight. With three drink services and a full cabin. The scone maybe cost them $1 and the effort to warm and plate them probably is an addition 5 minutes of “work” by the FA - but that stuff leaves an impression. AA needs to shape up.
brewdog11 likes this.
MAH4546 is offline  
Old Mar 11, 2018, 5:58 pm
  #200  
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Originally Posted by FlightNurse
It should be a dinner flight, your MIA-LAX will get a meal unless you are on the red eye,
LAX-MIA redeyes have meal service. They are an exception. They are catered like JFK-LAX/SFO, so three choices, better appetizers, edible meat, etc.

Evey transcon redeye should have a meal, but investing in product is asking a lot of Parker and US Airways.
MAH4546 is offline  
Old Mar 13, 2018, 12:45 pm
  #201  
Suspended
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
LGA-ORD
LAA 738 & AVOD
Lunch

PDB of choice! Jackets hung too.

Choice of cheese enchiladas in red sauce or the chilled shrimp and orzo salad. Enchiladas continue to be a pretty good option.

Awesome service from this senior LAA crew......very efficient, friendly and constant pass thrus in the aisle with lots of wine top offs. Some non-revs even got to sit up in FC which you rarely see on this route. We even left with one empty seat in FC (3E).

Plus I finally got to watch "The Shape of Water" which was a nice treat.
AANYC1981 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2018, 7:45 pm
  #202  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by SFO777
Los Angeles LAX to Honolulu HNL
American AA 283
A321
9:45a-2:10p
February 28, 2018

I had pre-ordered my "Breakfast" meal today going with the Chicken Katsu.






Showtime, AA style.



Bread was the typical breakfast offerings including biscuits, jam, etc..



The chicken katsu was pretty good, especially with the BBQ sauce as a dip.



No dessert was offered although this was apparently a Breakfast flight which may explain. From the snack basket later in the flight.



And then there were the tray tables and beverage trays for both 3A and 3C, which are apparently all connected as one and and were not locked into position... causing them all to collapse and fall forward unless you used your knees to keep them in place. I guess a roll of duct tape is SOP on AA flights and our FA and I were able to improvise to keep the trays upright for meal service.



Funny, I was on the same route (LAX..HNL) on March 9 and had the same combined tray table tilt problem in seat 4C/4A! But we didn't get any duct tape. Also, I had the Maui Onion and Goat Cheese Omelette, and it was quite good, if a bit small.
scoobydoo88 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2018, 9:50 pm
  #203  
Suspended
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
ORD-LGA
LAA 738 AVOD
Dinner

Full PDB of choice despite late catering and very full flight.

finally new meal choices! Beef short rib with double stuffed baked potato or lasagna in a cream sauce (which I think really was the newish mushroom tortellini cacio e pepe).

short ribs weren’t terrible (there was a nice garlic chimichurri sauce on top) but seemed a little undercooked so I only ate the parts that seemed like real short rib material. Baked Potato was OK but pretty dry and only had a little cheddar cheese on top and blue cheese on the bottom.

the highlight was the fresh side Greek salad and overall service from this young NYC based crew.

both FAs up front got certificates from me. Good job AA!
AANYC1981 is offline  
Old Mar 16, 2018, 10:24 am
  #204  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 9
AA Meal service redeye

I will either be taking a SAN-JFK DIRECT REDEYE FLIGHT OR A SAN-JFK VIA PHX REDEYE FLIGHT later this year. Both flights would depart around 10:00pm in the leg to JFK. I know the shorter leg from SAN to PHX would just be beverages, but is the longer leg to JFK (both from PHX and SAN) just nuts and a cookie or is it the cheese/hummus plate? I know that is after their designated time to serve meals, but that is quite a long flight to simply have nuts and a cookie. Delta serves full meals from SAN-JFK on redeyes.
NP2745 is offline  
Old Mar 16, 2018, 10:39 am
  #205  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
IHG Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
Originally Posted by NP2745
I will either be taking a SAN-JFK DIRECT REDEYE FLIGHT OR A SAN-JFK VIA PHX REDEYE FLIGHT later this year. Both flights would depart around 10:00pm in the leg to JFK. I know the shorter leg from SAN to PHX would just be beverages, but is the longer leg to JFK (both from PHX and SAN) just nuts and a cookie or is it the cheese/hummus plate? I know that is after their designated time to serve meals, but that is quite a long flight to simply have nuts and a cookie. Delta serves full meals from SAN-JFK on redeyes.
The PHX-JFK (San-JFK) will not be served a meal, now before you get too confused, DL's treats certain markets differently. I'm not too sure if I want to eat on this flight now a light breakfast on arrival would be nice. I also see there is a $400 difference between AA and DL, and no meal on a domestic route is worth $400.
FlightNurse is offline  
Old Mar 17, 2018, 7:16 am
  #206  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Palm Springs, CA 92264
Programs: AA ExPlat 3MMiler
Posts: 144
JFK-LAX F Suggestions

Not sure if I should just do the beef or try something else? What does everyone think of the below options and yes I got rid of the veggie option:

Beef Oscar
With crab, asparagus, béarnaise sauce and smashed potatoes

Pan Roasted Coconut Lime Chicken
Free-range, organic bone-in chicken breast with olives and garlic mashed potatoes

Steamed Sea Bass
With soy glaze and ginger cilantro pesto rice
Harveynics is offline  
Old Mar 17, 2018, 11:31 am
  #207  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 91
Meal for AA 202: LAX-BOS

Is this right? Only meal in F is lunch. Doesn't make sense for a 6 hour flight which lands at 10:30.

Thanks
WearyTravellerMSP is offline  
Old Mar 17, 2018, 11:40 am
  #208  
Suspended
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I’d be flying JetBlue on this route if you’re worried about FC and meal service
SFO777, jcatman and wrp96 like this.
AANYC1981 is offline  
Old Mar 17, 2018, 11:48 am
  #209  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Originally Posted by Harveynics
Not sure if I should just do the beef or try something else? What does everyone think of the below options and yes I got rid of the veggie option:

Beef Oscar
With crab, asparagus, béarnaise sauce and smashed potatoes

Pan Roasted Coconut Lime Chicken
Free-range, organic bone-in chicken breast with olives and garlic mashed potatoes

Steamed Sea Bass
With soy glaze and ginger cilantro pesto rice

I've had good experiences with the Sea Bass on many AA flights.
jcatman is offline  
Old Mar 17, 2018, 12:14 pm
  #210  
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
Moving to the 2018 Domestic meals thread to consolidate discussion/info. Thanks. /Moderator
JY1024 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.